Primary Colors: A Novel of Politics

A largely overlook facet concerning Primary Colors is the fact that the author felt the need to hide his identity. Despite the name changes and detail alterations that completely hide all but the most obvious characters, were there any revelations so damning that only anonymity could protect the storyteller? This leaves the reader wondering if the story had any truth at all or was merely a anti-clinton text designed partly for smudging the legacy of the Presdient. As for the quality fo the tale, it has little to show for the sake of integrity. There are episodes of the West Wing that are more realisitic than the scenes in Primary Colors. The theme itself falls into the trap of suggesting that no politician can move onto the national stage without having some dark secret that opens the doors. Anyone who knows the secret and can expose it is thus subject to being a target for the incoming administration. Hence follows a series of ridiculous conspiracies. All in all Primary Colors was a more entertaining movie than a book. It is targeted at a less studious electorate but holds forth just enough truthiness to affect public opinion.

This was a good read and is interesting to read at this time when we have news of candidates inundating the airwaves and newspapers, not to mention the bloggers busily adding their two cents worth.

I won't say much because it's already been said. But I will add that this is one of the best works of fiction I have ever read. While worth reading for the craft alone, the subject is at least as riveting.

This is easily one of the finest pieces of literature I have ever read. Whether or not it is an account of Bill Clinton's road to the White House is irrelevant, the story is amazing. I read this book twice because, to this day, I wonder what the main character, "Henry Burton" thought of "the Candidate." "The Candidate," Jack Stanton, was the enigmatic southern governor, "of a state no one has heard of," who happened to be running for the presidency. He was a brilliant but flawed man, who truly loved people. He really cared about "folks," as he needed them to survive both politically and just plain physically. He fed off the energy of the people with a charisma that was infectious to all those around him. It had its advantages and disadvantages. The fact that he was wonderful people helped, the fact that he was promiscuous did not.The characters were so vivid and well told. Richard, the campaign manager, Daisy, the media person, and subsequently Henry's girlfriend, and Libby. . .Who could ever forget Ms. Olivia Holden? She was amazing. The Stantons were amazing too. Susan, the Governor's wife, was so strong and intelligent. Now, this book could be taken from one of two perspectives. The first is conviction. This book suggests terrible things about the governor and if you are looking for an open attack on "The Candidate," you have got it. The second perspective is to look at it as a book by a staffer who really loved his employer, even though some of his traits were less than admirable. Henry said early on in the book, that he looked too favorably the Governor, and felt he could not do his job as best he could. Whoever this book is about, whatever it is about, it doesn't matter. It is a great story about a man who, though not perfect, feels the people, and truly wants to help them in an effort to give them a better life.epc

"Primary Colors" is a great political novel for any political junkie as it relates to the election of a southern governor to the presidency of the United States. Ultimately, the book's theme is that if we keep politics clean without all of the mudslinging, the American populace and electorate will win in the end by getting the best possible candidates.