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The Running Mate: A Novel Audiobook
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(3.00) - 174 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Hailed as "astonishingly powerful" by The New York Times, and "written perfectly" by The Washington Post, Joe Klein's #1 bestseller, Primary Colors, was the most-talked-about political novel of the past century. Now acclaimed journalist and author Joe Klein returns with another brilliant and slyly subversive novel set in the gladiatorial arena he knows so well: politics in modern-day America. U.S. senator Charlie Martin is a hot political property, dashing, honorable, irreverent -- and a decorated Vietnam veteran. The Running Mate follows this brash hero on a wild, exhilarating ride through the minefields of politics as usual. But as Charlie quickly learns, combat is a cakewalk compared with the battles waged by free men in pursuit of glory and power. For Charlie's political star is beginning to wane ... a bid for the presidency ends in failure ... a young campaign volunteer's father decks him -- in front of the cameras ... a well-kept secret from Charlie's Vietnam days is revealed ... and a woman has entered his life -- one who loves him but is appalled by his life's work. Suddenly Charlie must confront the two greatest challenges of his life -- a political opponent who has no scruples and a dazzling, unconventional woman who may force him to choose between love and politics. Charlie's dilemma is one that has come to haunt contemporary American politics: Is it possible to be a good politician and a good man?
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"I was in the mood for some fluffy reading, and for me political books like this fit that bill. This book was really fun, though if you're not a political junkie like me, it could get tedious and maybe even boring at times. I like hearing about the ins and outs of Washington and campaigns . . . "
— Rachel (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Klein sustains the mastery of storytelling mechanics that he demonstrated in Primary Colors…If this reporter has more novels in him, let them come.”
— Time -
“It has many of the virtues of its predecessor: lively characters, well-constructed scenes, better than serviceable prose, and, of course, impressive verisimilitude.”
— New York Times Book Review -
“You can't say Klein lacks chutzpah!…Fans of Primary Colors will love this book’s raffish authenticity. But the canvas is vaster—the Vietnam chapter is as evocative as the American ones—the story sprawls Tom Wolfe-ishly, and Klein is not just scoring points, he’s a moralist hunting big game.”
— Amazon.com, editorial review -
“An authoritative account of a hotly contested political campaign…The Running Mate reinforces the notion that a gifted new political novelist has arrived on the scene. Joe Klein is a genuinely good writer: smart, stylish, funny, and always brightly observant…A novel that is both convincing and entertaining.”
— Barnes & Noble, editorial review -
“A sizzlingly good look at politics as only an insider can provide, and once again, one of the best parts is deciding who the true-life counterparts of the fictitious characters are…Recommended.”
— Library Journal
The Running Mate Listener Reviews
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" I could not get interested in this book. "
— Frederick, 11/29/2013 -
" Not as good as Primary Colors but a decent fluffy political read to distract myself from this election season. "
— Alicia, 7/17/2013 -
" Ugh...only the third book in a lifetime of reading that I could not finish. Halfway through I stillo had not idea what the plot was and didn't care about the characters. I can't even sell this book at a garage sale. "
— Beth, 6/3/2013 -
" Not the politically driven novel I expected, which was a nice surprise. Charlie Martin was, in fact, a senator but this is really a love and life story. I liked it more than I thought I would. "
— Beth, 4/18/2013 -
" Is it okay to rate a book if you didn't read it? Well, I thought I would enjoy this one, but within the first few pages the "f" word was used twice, and I decided that was too much. So I quit reading. The end. "
— Ellen, 3/19/2013 -
" Really enjoyed Klein's novel. You got the inside look and feel of a real campaign, with the great story-telling of a novel. "
— Brad, 1/23/2013 -
" Ok, I like watching the Newsroom on TV better "
— Liz, 12/16/2012 -
" Joe Klein's novel about American Politics...has the nice ring of an insider, or a truly closer observer, attempting to make sense of the wicked, complicated and financially corrupt crazy world of American Politics. "
— Peter, 11/29/2012 -
" How did I not know about this book? "
— Claire, 9/17/2012 -
" A surprisingly good book--a good story about a US senator from "Des Pointe" in a midwestern state--but also surprisingly insightful about national politics & human relationships (which is, at root, politics). "
— Marvin, 5/5/2012 -
" I was in the mood for some fluffy reading, and for me political books like this fit that bill. This book was really fun, though if you're not a political junkie like me, it could get tedious and maybe even boring at times. I like hearing about the ins and outs of Washington and campaigns . . . "
— Rachel, 1/22/2012 -
" What does a politician face when running for an office? Good insight with a love twist in this novel written in 3rd person. "
— Clifford, 10/5/2011 -
" Unfortunately the Aberdeen library only had the abridged version, but I really liked it anyway. Joe Klein also wrote Primary Colors, which I adored, and this book was also politically driven and enjoyable. I especially enjoyed the lovestory, since I endeavor to be a political wife. "
— Carmen, 8/1/2011 -
" Most people don't know that Klein wrote a follow up to Primary Colors. This is probably better and if you're like me, you knew less about Bob Kerrey coming into this than you would Clinton coming into Primary Colors "
— Jeremy, 5/3/2011 -
" This was an audio tape. I don't remember why, but we did not care for the story. "
— Bill, 1/12/2011 -
" A U.S. Senator who is struggling in all facets of his life. It moves slowly in places and has a cast of thousands but is worth while. "
— Chuck, 10/30/2010 -
" Really enjoyed Klein's novel. You got the inside look and feel of a real campaign, with the great story-telling of a novel. "
— Brad, 8/24/2010 -
" A U.S. Senator who is struggling in all facets of his life. It moves slowly in places and has a cast of thousands but is worth while. <br/> "
— Chuck, 5/27/2010 -
" Joe Klein's novel about American Politics...has the nice ring of an insider, or a truly closer observer, attempting to make sense of the wicked, complicated and financially corrupt crazy world of American Politics. "
— Peter, 3/21/2010 -
" Unfortunately the Aberdeen library only had the abridged version, but I really liked it anyway. Joe Klein also wrote Primary Colors, which I adored, and this book was also politically driven and enjoyable. I especially enjoyed the lovestory, since I endeavor to be a political wife. "
— Carmen, 10/21/2008 -
" This was an audio tape. I don't remember why, but we did not care for the story. "
— Bill, 9/24/2008 -
" Most people don't know that Klein wrote a follow up to Primary Colors. This is probably better and if you're like me, you knew less about Bob Kerrey coming into this than you would Clinton coming into Primary Colors "
— Jeremy, 4/4/2007
About Joe Klein
Joe Klein is a political columnist for Time, formerly a staff writer for the New Yorker, and the author of the novels Primary Colors and The Running Mate, as well as of nonfiction books, including Woody Guthrie: A Life and Payback: Five Marines after Vietnam.
About John Bedford Lloyd
John Bedford Lloyd, Earphones Award–winning narrator, is a graduate of the Yale School of Drama, has appeared in many major motion pictures, including The Bourne Supremacy, Crossing Delancey, The Abyss, The Manchurian Candidate, and Philadelphia. His television credits include Suits, Pan Am, Law & Order, Spin City, and The West Wing.