The Race

A Novel

By: Richard North Patterson

Narrated by: Michael Boatman

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.

©2007 Richard North Patterson; (P)2007 Audio Renaissance, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishers LLC

Critic reviews

<p>“Michael Boatman performs with aplomb, never missing a beat and never becoming overly wrapped up in the layers of emotion Patterson has created...This is more than a political thriller--Boatman's performance draws the listener into politics and its rhetoric.” —<i>AudioFile</i><br><br>“<i>Exile</i> 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--<i>Exile</i> is his best novel yet.” —<i>Bill Clinton on Exile</i><br><br>“Richard North Patterson is a terrific novelist.” —<i>The Washington Post on Exile</i><br><br>“Patterson captures the good, the bad, and the ugly of the American political process...Michael Boatman's seamless delivery is crisp and clear. His straightforward approach allows listeners to feel the full force of ruthless politics with painful clarity...Patterson and Boatman prove to be a pair of gifted storytellers.” —<i>AudioFile, Earphones Award Winner on Exile</i></p>

An inside glimpse into presidential politics

Would you consider the audio edition of The Race to be better than the print version?

I always enjoy the audible editions more because it's easier to relate to the characters, but I have not read the print version of this one so I can't compare.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Corey Grace. I wish he was really running for President

Which character – as performed by Michael Boatman – was your favorite?

Corey Grace was so believeable.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

In a couple of places it made me really mad, but, no, I didn't laugh or cry.

Any additional comments?

I have enjoyed almost all of Richard North Patterson's books. The only one I had problems with, and it was more subject matter than anything else, was "Degree of Guilt."

Excellent story

If you are a fan of political stories you will enjoy this one and the somewhat unpredictable ending.

The Race

Patterson has come full circle and I, for one, enjoyed his revisiting political campaigns. The first book I ever encountered by Patterson was "Private Screening" which once and for all set me on the road for all of his books. While his circumstances, put in a "real world" are far too hopeful to ever happen, Patterson so deftly establishes the imminent reality (as I borrow from Barthes), the reality is the text. So, to any Richard North Patterson fans, political aficionados, or those who simply enjoy a multi-level and tightly plotted book, this book will be a must.

Good book!

I've read all of this author's books and enjoyed this one a lot. The ending was surprising but good. The whole book left me wishing events like this could really happen.

Good detail ... good character development ... good human interest sub story lines. This one had me sitting in the drive way, listening to "just a little more" before turning the key and getting out of the car.

Big fan disappointed

I'm a big Richard North Patterson fan and I enjoyed this book. However, the ending was somewhat predictable and disappointing. I was enthralled for 75% of the book but felt as if the author gave up near the end, at length.