Night of Camp David

By: Fletcher Knebel

Narrated by: Edoardo Ballerini

“What would happen if the president of the U.S.A. went stark-raving mad?” Back by popular demand, The New York Times calls the 1965 bestselling political thriller by the author of Seven Days in May, “A little too plausible for comfort.”

How can one man convince the highest powers in Washington that the President of the United States is dangerously unstable—before it’s too late?

Senator Jim MacVeagh is proud to serve his country—and his president, Mark Hollenbach, who has a near-spotless reputation as the vibrant, charismatic leader of MacVeagh’s party and the nation. When Hollenbach begins taking MacVeagh into his confidence, the young senator knows that his star is on the rise.

But then Hollenbach starts summoning MacVeagh in the middle of the night to Camp David. There, the president sits in the dark and rants about his enemies, unfurling insane theories about all the people he says are conspiring against him. They would do anything, President Hollenbach tells the stunned senator, to stop him from setting in motion the grand, unprecedented plans he has to make America a great world power once again.

MacVeagh comes away from these meetings increasingly convinced that the man he once admired has lost his mind. But what can he do? Who can he tell?

Timely look at Presidential transfer of power

So glad I picked up this book — though the references to pay phones and government programs costs $250,000 were quaint, the questions I was left with about the limits the powers of other branches of government to really question Presidential sanity will haunt e for a while.

Confused with the ending.

For the life of me, I did not understand the ending of this novel. I have looked for explanations on the web, but did not find one. So, for that reason alone, I can say that the book held my interest, until the last chapter and ending. It was a huge letdown.

This story is more relevant today, regardless of your political affiliation.

Clearly, some of the character shortcomings are less so today, this story would make a great movie.

Freakily prophetic

A President raging about a conspiracy out to get him. Breaking old alliances to meet with the Russian president. Attempts to wiretap all Americans. Back in 1965 this best-seller was an examination of what the 25th Amendment could mean. Today itdelves into the what-ifs of the current POTUS.
With just enough sex scenes to keep the politics from getting too boring.
A light read that can be listened to without paying too much attention.

Worthy Premise

Brings forward a worthwhile conversation about mental illness or mental decline in our country’s decision makers. Considering what is happening in Oval Office these days.....

Women’s roles are really dated. You can tell there wasn’t the language of mental illness in our society when this was written. Good Book.