Product Description

From the courtrooms to the White House, an epic novel which confronts the terrible toll of gun violence and reveals the political manoeuvring behind this inflammatory issue...Five months into his term, President Kilcannon and his fiancee, television journalist Lara Costello, have decided to marry. But the occasion is followed by a terrible tragedy: a massacre of innocents in a lethal burst of gunfire. It is a shattering event that consumes Kilcannon and his wife, challenging both their marriage, and his Presidency in such a personal way that Kilcannon vows to eradicate gun violence throughout the US. In a high-stakes game of politics and legal manoeuvring where ideals collide in the Senate, the courtroom and across the the country, President Kilcannon is determined to win at any cost. But in the clash over gun rights and violence, the cost to both Kilcannons may be even higher than the President imagined.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #569536 in Books
• Published on: 2003-10-03
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 624 pages

Amazon.co.uk Review
Balance of Power, the third of Richard North Patterson's political thrillers about the election and Presidency of Kerry Kilcannon, is as gripping and savvy as its predecessors. Kilcannon's second marriage, to his long-term fiancée Lara, is marred by the shooting of most of her family by her deranged and abusive brother-in-law who bought an automatic weapon and gut-shredding bullets from an anonymous dealer at a gun fair. Kilcannon had always intended to take on the gun lobby--and this high-profile massacre of his wife's relations gives him an opportunity. What follows is a nightmare of political chicanery, as his opponents are persuaded to ever lower tactics by their gun lobby contributors.

The personal injury suit his surviving sister-in-law brings against manufacturers and lobbyists runs aground on perjury and a politically ambitious judge. His opponents are even prepared to use blackmail--a document surfaces proving that the relationship between Kilcannon and Lara preceded his divorce. This is a terrifying novel, which pictures the currency of American political life as bribery, threats and the grossest of intrusions into private life; it is a vision of how vilely things can perhaps sometimes work, and how intelligence, will and the application of sound legal principles might make them otherwise. --Roz Kaveney

Review
From the courtrooms to the White House, an epic novel from a reliable author that confronts the terrible toll of gun violence and reveals the political manoeuvring behind this inflammatory issue. Five months into his term, President Kilcannon and his fianc e, television journalist Lara Costello, have decided to marry. But the occasion is followed by a terrible tragedy: a massacre of innocents in a lethal burst of gunfire. Kilcannon vows to eradicate gun violence throughout the US. In a high-stakes game of politics and legal manoeuvring, where ideals collide in the Senate and the courtroom, Kilcannon is determined to win at any cost. Patterson's 11 previous novels displayed a sure touch with this kind of blockbuster thriller, and this one more than matches up.

Newly elected President Kerry Kilcannon is determined to introduce tough new gun laws designed to halt the burgeoning death toll of innocent American citizens. His attention is side tracked by his forthcoming marriage to Lara Costello, whose family holds its own dark secrets. Lara's desire for a private family affair must be reconciled with the publicity demanded by his office. But their honeymoon is wrecked by an act of appalling violence that brings these issues directly to the Presidential doorstep. Finding himself up against the might of the gun industry, Kilcannon becomes embroiled in a maelstrom of conflicting political ideals and legal interests. When his sister-in-law takes her demand for justice to the courts, they find out just how dirty the fighting can get and the Killcannon's marriage will be tested to the utmost. Examining the wheeling dealing behind the scenes of the premier world power, this dramatic conclusion to the trilogy that began with 'No Safe Place' is a no holds barred look at modern American politics and its relationship with interested business conglomerates. (Kirkus UK)

Ink Magazine, October 2003
...his knowledge of the deeply flawed political machine's workings underpins every page of this intelligent and gripping thriller... Recommended

Customer Reviews

Teriffic Page-Turning Story, but not Fair to Both Sides
As with all of Richard North Patterson's work, page-turning, political infighting makes BALANCE OF POWER a must-read for political junkies on both sides of the political aisle. That said, if you have a closed mind and any kind of opinion at all, for or against gun legislation to go along with it, you'll either love or hate this book. I'll give you three examples.

"Richard North Patterson has a keen eye for how Washington really works. His portrait of the gun lobby is right on-both in terms of its power and its political tactics. A must read for anyone interested in the gun debate." -Former President Bill Clinton

"BALANCE OF POWER is a rip-roaring novel about guns, lawyers, and politics. Richard North Patterson has extraordinary insight into how Washington works, and a complex and heartfelt understanding of the effects of gun violence on our society. This is a great read by a masterful writer." -Senator Edward M. Kennedy

"I hate this book." -Any living member of the National Rifle Association

Okay, maybe that last one was a little exaggerated, but you can see what I mean about readers either loving or hating this novel. And from the examples cited above, you can pretty much figure out where Patterson comes down on the debate.

The third book in the Kerry Kilcannon trilogy finds President Kilcannon about to wed. After the wedding, tragedy strikes his new wife's family. Kilcannon ran on a promise to do something about guns in America, now gun violence has attacked close to home. But it's not the first time, Kilcannon's brother was killed by an assassin's bullet when he ran for the presidency. So, President Kilcannon has valid reasons for his fight for better gun legislation and we can sympathize with him in his struggle to get it.

However, perhaps Patterson goes a little over the top in his portrayal of the gun lobbyists and those that believe in the right to bear arms. There must be a least one guy out there in America who sincerely believes in his right to own a handgun for protection and for no other reason. Still, this is a fabulous book and if you can around the fact that it's not fair and balanced and doesn't pretend to be, then you'll be treated to a wonderful five star story and you'll learn about how your senators and congressmen work when they pass legislation that affects your life, and I think that I can guarantee, Republican, Democrat or Independent, you won't like how they do it.

Review submitted by Captain Katie Osborne

Superb
This book is excellent - a thriller that is highly thoughtful, intelligent and sincere. Certainly, the author's research comes through as does his own views, which is no bad thing. The concern about the political power that special interests such as the gun lobby (on the right)or, to a lesser extent, the lawyers , (on the left), comes over very strongly and very well.

It is the nearest thing you will get to an extended "west Wing" episode in print!

Throrughly recommended

absorbing.
As other reviewers have pointed out, this is the final book in the Kilcannon US political trilogy by patterson. Although you don't need to have really read the first 2 books before reading this one. Although I love patterson's work in general I didn't like the first 2 kilcannon books, simply because I found the political aspect quite boring.

This book, however, is excellent. It grips from the first page and draws you in. The story itself is extremely interesting and, as always, patterson has a way of building up characters that you genuinely care about.

The book is very large (almost 800 pages) but I managed to finish the book in a few days because it was so good. I found it well written and extremely well researched. Whilst patterson is very descriptive and wordy I felt that this added to the book's strength and it certainly didn't seem almost 1000 pages long.

It is more than just about gun control and politics in the US. There is an excellent personal dimension to the book that brings the story to life. Highly enjoyable and highly recommended.