The System

A Novel of the Deep State

By: Barry Eisler

Narrated by: Barry Eisler

A riveting exposé of the inner workings of American power—as gripping as House of Cards and as fraught with personal dynamics as The Diplomat.

Valeria Velez has just pulled off a stunning upset in California's 27th District, ousting ten-term corporatist incumbent Fillian Dunne from his seat in Congress. Young, beautiful, and idealistic, Valeria and her boyfriend/campaign manager Preston Jante are determined to use Valeria's new position to "stop stuffing the maw of the military machine" and return power to the people. But when fugitive hacker Lance Thaddeus uncovers a top-secret Pentagon program combining artificial intelligence with nuclear command-and-control, Valeria might have to choose between her ideals...and her life.

And even while trying to navigate the unfamiliar pathways and temptations of American power, Valeria will have to contend with a mother still frozen by bitterness about the past, a brother jealous of Valeria's future, and the ghost of the father who abandoned them all and then died before Valeria could even begin to understand his reasons.

But as Valeria will discover, in the world she has entered, personal and political can be meaningless distinctions. There are no solutions, only trade-offs, and as Valeria negotiates with the factions holding real power in America—Wall Street, the Pentagon, Silicon Valley—the lines between compromise and capitulation, savvy and sell-out, player and played, become increasingly hard to see, with ultimate stakes not just for Valeria, but for the very future of constitutional democracy in America.

©2025 Barry Eisler (P)2025 Barry Eisler

ABSOLUTELY BRILLANT!!!

Eisler does it again with this political thriller. Engaging narration, intriging topic and highlt entertaining!!

Gripping good book

Barry Eisler has put out another great book. This was quite interesting from a political standpoint

Incredible and Real

The author took a departure from his regular stories but it was worth it. Reading the book reminded me about current state of politics in the US and other part of the world. The book describes reality we live in and a lot of times gave a something to ponder about it. Great book and I am looking forward where Mr.Eisler will take his reader next.

Another Excellent Book

I always enjoy Barry Eisler's work. This was no exception in that the story did not hold back. it was detailed,well researched and exciting.
Clearly it was well written because I found the main character,Valeria very unlikeable. I continued to read
just the same. It was very tough because on one hand I wanted her political views to be given weight but it was tough because I disliked her so much.
This is weird because Eisler's other female characters are inspiring eventhough some are assassins.

I miss John Rain

Great story telling, no surprise from Eisler. Intricate, well thought political novel; not what I was expecting from Eisler given hos previous books; but a pretty good book for those who enjoy policits, politicians drama.