|
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Politics vs. the Press - a fight for supremacy, 17 Dec 2003
By A Customer
"Capable of Honour" is a story that explores the political and human consequences when two massive powers - in this case the US Presidency and the Press - clash.This highly topical issue of the power news commentators believe they wield, and the self-righteous political correctness of a media at odds with the political direction an Administration is taking is tackled ruthlessly and far from impartially in this novel. The book is a sequel to Advise and Consent, perhaps the most well-known of Drury's novels and picks up towards the end of President Harley Hudson's first term of office. President Hudson is not seeking a second term and there is much jostling for the party nomination. Meanwhile, the media commentators have their own favoured candidate and are seeking to get him nominated by presenting a united front of favourable coverage and comment for him, and unremittingly hostile coverage of his main opponent. As we approach the nominating convention, an international crisis in Africa prompts US intervention and sets off a chain of events that end in personal tragedy and a political crisis as the question: who governs - the politicians or the press, is brought to a head. This is a strong novel that remains topical today, particularly following the presentation of the Coalition's reasons for going to war with Iraq and, in Britain at least, the arguably one-sided, hostile news and media commentary of this action. Drury sometimes spends too long exploring cul-de-sacs that can be infuriating for those who want to stick to the central plot, but the novel has a strong ending which those who like to see a commupance being got will enjoy.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you?
 
|
|
|
|
