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The Race (Abridged): A Novel Audiobook, by Richard North Patterson Play Audiobook Sample

The Race (Abridged): A Novel Audiobook

The Race (Abridged): A Novel Audiobook, by Richard North Patterson Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Michael Boatman Publisher: Macmillan Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 5.17 hours at 1.5x Speed 3.88 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: October 2007 Format: Abridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781427201843

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

94

Longest Chapter Length:

06:05 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

03:31 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

04:57 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

34

Other Audiobooks Written by Richard North Patterson: > View All...

Publisher Description

Can an honest man become president? In The Race, this timely and provocative novel from bestselling author Richard North Patterson, a maverick candidate takes on his political enemies and the ruthless machinery of American politics. Corey Grace—a handsome and charismatic Republican senator from Ohio—is plunged by an act of terrorism into a fierce presidential primary battle with the favorite of the party establishment and a magnetic leader of the Christian right. A decorated Gulf War Air Force pilot known for speaking his mind, Grace's reputation for voting his own conscience rather than the party line—together with his growing romance with Lexie Hart, an African-American movie star—has earned him a reputation as a maverick and an iconoclast. But Grace is still haunted by a tragic mistake buried deep in his past, and now his integrity will be put to the test in this most brutal of political contests, in which nothing in his past or present life is off-limits. Depicting contemporary power politics at its most ruthless, The Race takes on the most incendiary issues in American culture: racism, terrorism, religious fundamentalism, gay rights, and the rise of media monopolies with their own agenda and lust for power. As the pressure of the campaign intensifies, Grace encounters betrayal, excruciating moral choices, and secrets that can destroy lives. Ultimately, the race leads to a deadlocked party convention where Grace must resolve the conflict between his romance with Lexie and his presidential ambitions—and decide just who and what he is willing to sacrifice.

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"My second Patterson book and also gripping. The mixture of race, religion and politics left me on the edge to the very end to find out if the good guys would stick to their principles and whether if so it would spell doom to their political or personal lives."

— Ellen (4 out of 5 stars)

Quotes

  • “Exile is an astonishing book, a hugely entertaining human drama that also offers remarkable insight into the lethal conflict between Israelis and Palestinians. Richard North Patterson has outdone himself--Exile is his best novel yet.

    — Bill Clinton on Exile
  • Richard North Patterson is a terrific novelist.

    — The Washington Post on Exile

Awards

  • Winner of Audie Award Winner, 2008

The Race Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 3.4516129032258065 out of 53.4516129032258065 out of 53.4516129032258065 out of 53.4516129032258065 out of 53.4516129032258065 out of 5 (3.45)
5 Stars: 7
4 Stars: 10
3 Stars: 6
2 Stars: 6
1 Stars: 2
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Interesting book but too much at this time about the national election. It was a little tedious and predictable. "

    — Patty, 2/19/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Well, not sure my review is fair since I listened to this book on tape. Probably would have got another star since this book, written before this year's presidential race, is more "preminiscent" (if that is a word) than anyone could have guessed. Being on the inside of politics, I can say this was a worthwhile "listen." My own commentary is there are bad guys, but most of the time especially these days, its hard to be all bad and in the public eye 24-7. "

    — Angie, 2/12/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I enjoyed this book immensely. It was the first I've read by this author. I was blown away by the ending! "

    — Mike, 1/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " great at this time of year with the elections! "

    — Cindy, 1/16/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I read this book while the US Presidential election campaign was in full swing - very good timing. "

    — Heather, 1/16/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " The title of this book is ahs double meaning, altought that is not totally clear until the end. While I think Patterson's earlier works are more intriguing and well written, The Race keeps you guessing. Corey Grace was a hot shot pilot whose arrogance causes the death of his copilot and black friend, Joe. Corey joined the military to escape his parents, but left his younger brother behind. Now Corey is a hero and running for president. The death of Joe and suicide of his younger brother plague him. His divorce affects his run for president, and when he meets an outspoken black actress, complications abound. Other candidates complicate matters, especially one ruthless camp. Yet even that character is compelling and very real. All of the characters are very rich, and the plot compelling. And the ending is a great, but unrealistic, compromise. "

    — Joanne, 1/16/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Political action in a pc and anti-christian world "

    — Griff, 1/10/2014
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Once again, I have to say that Richard North Patterson is one of the best writers I've ever read. However, I can stand only so much of his blatant liberalism. This will be the last book I read of his. "

    — Ed, 1/2/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This novel should be on every political junkie's read list. "

    — Hapzydeco, 12/21/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book was okay. An easy read for the bedside table. The analogies to the current political climate and players, at first, was amusing and clever, but by the end it seemed gimicky and cliche. The ending of the story was totally implausible. "

    — Jennifer, 11/5/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This story about the race for the republican presidential nomination has some striking parallels with today's politics. War hero, right wing Christian nutjobs. And and ending that would never happen in today's politics! Steve liked this book better than I did. "

    — Jody, 6/30/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This is an excellent novel on what it takes to win the white house and the various factions one must cow to. The religious right has too great an impact in my opinion, but with all the other issues raised, it somehow seems appropriate. 9 of 10 stars "

    — Tim, 5/31/2013
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " WAY too political for me! "

    — Susan, 12/31/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Loved the politics, the plot and the hero, really good read with romance on the side but well told. "

    — Joyce, 12/5/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Got this from a friend. An ideal candidate for the silent majority of voters who don't make the daily news with their views. "

    — Cole, 10/3/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Fantastic fictional(maybe)book about a republican running for the Presidency while shunning the evangelical kooks out there. It must be fiction because it sure isn't happening in the real world right now. "

    — Tom, 8/24/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Well measured insights into Primary Process... Good Read "

    — Rion, 7/26/2012
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Politics, religion, and science. Dull, Duller and Dullest "

    — Robert, 3/14/2012
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Slow beginning. Once the pace picked up it became a quick read. "

    — T, 7/9/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Compelling yet repulsive, with all characters willing to compramise their messages for the ultimate goal of becoming elected. Not a flattering view of Politics in general. "

    — Al, 4/20/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " I like Patterson. THis is one of those completely unbelievable books that i only wish were true...great political novel for West Wing fans "

    — Mary, 2/1/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Good Engaging book, with a unpredictable ending. <br/> <br/>I would recommend to those who would like to read political thrillers. <br/> <br/>Insightful. "

    — Nw, 1/21/2011
  • Overall Performance: 2 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 52 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " didn't care for plot, slow and tedious "

    — Lauriezeitlin, 1/9/2011
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Patterson tells a good story and makes one think about politics of today. "

    — Stucar66, 11/8/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Lots of intrigue that had me guessing the outcome. The circumstances of the RACE are so timely, making it a challenge to understand all that goes on behind the scenes of a run for a political office. "

    — Linda, 9/19/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Slow beginning. Once the pace picked up it became a quick read. "

    — T, 8/27/2010
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Remarkable how many facets of it seemed to parallel the 2008 Presidential primaries before they occurred. A great read. "

    — John, 7/13/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Not quite as good as the other two books of his I've read, but it was enjoyable. He presents an idealized presidential candidate and the political forces at work are quite disturbing. As always, good character development. "

    — Julie, 7/4/2010
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " Just average for a RNP book, jeez I would have voted for him in spite of his daliance with with a younger, black, liberal and Hollywood type woman. "

    — Debbie, 5/18/2010
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " A political thriller dealing with the question of who will be the Republican nominee for the next presidential election. A good read with one guy representing the person we wish all politicians were like. "

    — Kari, 3/16/2010
  • Overall Performance: 1 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 51 out of 5 Narration Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 Story Rating: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5

    " This book took me forever to read. I just wasn't that into it. I'm sure it's an enjoyable book if you're into politics and presidential races. I don't know why I insisted on finishing it, but I finally did after about a month... Not one of my top picks. "

    — Laura, 12/29/2009

About Richard North Patterson

Richard North Patterson is the New York Times bestselling author of The Devil’s Light, In the Name of Honor, The Spire, and a number of other bestselling and critically acclaimed novels. Formerly a trial lawyer, he was the SEC’s liaison to the Watergate special prosecutor and has served on the boards of several Washington advocacy groups. Patterson has appeared on such programs as the Today show, Good Morning America, Hardball with Chris Matthews, and Buchanan and Press

About Michael Boatman

Michael Boatman is an Earphones Award–winning narrator and twice winner of the prestigious Audie Award for narration. He is a versatile television, film, and stage actor whose work on the hit TV show Spin City garnered him a GLAAD Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series and nominations for two NAACP Image Awards. For his work playing Stanley Babson on the long-running HBO series ARLI$$, he was nominated five times for the Image Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series.