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While his stories hinge on the complex machinations behind the presidency, the FBI, the Supreme Court and other spheres of influence, Baldacci (a former Washington, D.C.-based attorney) finds his way into a mystery through the eyes of the innocents. Semi-innocents, at least: small players who often don't realize they're players at all end up hunting down answers, and their hunt becomes the reader's.
According to Baldacci, reading John Irving's The World According to Garp convinced him that he wanted to be a novelist. Absolute Power -- in which a thief finds himself accidentally connected to a murder involving the president and the ensuing coverup -- was hardly Irvingesque; but it did begin Baldacci's friendly relationship with the bestseller lists, which has continued over his writing career.
Baldacci's style is brief and plot-driven, but he's not afraid to linger on macabre and vivid details, such as a rosary clenched in a plane crash victim's hand, or hard-learned lessons from a sniper's life (pack your food so you can find it at night, by touch). These small but memorable -- indeed, almost cinematic -- details give his books another layer that distinguishes them from the average potboiler.
Although the author has occasionally departed from his usual fare (examples include the tenderhearted coming-of-age tale Wish You Well and the holiday-themed adventure The Christmas Train), it is high-octane thrillers that are his true stock in trade. Whether it's a taut stand-alone or a new installment in his Camel Club series, readers know when they crack the spine of a new Baldacci book, they're in for an action-packed page-turner.
.He worked his way through college as a Pinkerton security guard and by washing and detailing 18-wheel trucks.
Baldacci writes under his own name except when published in Italy, where he uses a pseudonym because it is the homeland of his ancestors.
Bill Clinton selected The Simple Truth as his favorite novel of 1998, according to Baldacci's web site.
Q: What's one thing you've done that you are glad you did but happier that you will never have to do again?
A: Taken and passed the Virginia Bar Exam.
Q: How do you indulge your appetite? Caviar? Burgers and fries?
A: Pasta. I am definitely not a caviar person.
Q: Are you a righty or lefty?
A: Righty.
Q: What's your favorite cartoon?
A: "The Tick."
Q: Do you have a favorite day of the year?
A: The day after I've finished a novel.
Q: Will you identify a specific historic event or image that has been especially defining of American culture?
A: Lincoln's assassination. Reconstruction, Jim Crowism, segregation, and discrimination were all, unfortunately, enhanced with his murder.
Total Control opens with an immediate shocker: A plane from Washington bound for Los Angeles explodes and plummets to earth just moments after takeoff. Until the crash, Washington attorney Sidney Archer seemed to have everything going for her: a loving husband, a thriving career, a beautiful daughter. But then her husband Jason's name turns up on the passenger list of the doomed Flight 3223. The FBI seems to think Jason might have been responsible for the crash and not on the plane at all. And then the lies start emerging.
In the hopes of giving his family everything he felt they deserved, Jason Archer entered into a deadly game of cat and mouse, secretly doing business with some extremely dangerous people. Now this high-tech world of hostile takeovers, artificial intelligence, and corporate espionage has forced him to disappear. In an effort to clear Jason's name and recover the family the plane crash destroyed, Sidney, with the help of FBI agent Lee Sawyer, plunges into the center of her husband's secret life, uncovering a sinister plot involving the murder of the country's most powerful individual, and putting her own life and that of her young daughter at stake.
This gripping page-turner, which vividly depicts the dark heart of the country's political and business affairs, proves again that David Baldacci is among the brightest new lights in the thriller scene.
David Baldacci: I love writing, and earning your living doing something you love is wonderful.
David Baldacci: It will be out the early part of 1998.
David Baldacci: Think about why you want to be a writer. If you decide you really like to write, then spend a lot of time learning the craft, and read a lot of good authors.
David Baldacci: If you mean ABSOLUTE POWER, I wasn't anticipating a movie, I was just hoping to get the book published. But I did think Eastwood was a good choice.
David Baldacci: I knew it would be different -- adapting a book to film is very difficult. A number of things have to be cut. Trying to compare the book and the movie really isn't fair because they are such different mediums. I like the book better!
David Baldacci: I work at home so I have to share the computer with my three-year-old daughter.
David Baldacci: A lot is simply imagination, but I do take characteristics of people I know and blend them into characters in the book. The president in ABSOLUTE POWER is not Bill Clinton.
David Baldacci: Thank you!
David Baldacci: Fantasy can be a broad genre. I won't rule it out, I have a lot of interests.
David Baldacci: I was a trial lawyer for five years, and then I did corporate work for about four years.
David Baldacci: John Irving, Ann Tyler, John Updike, Garrison Keillor, Mark Twain.
David Baldacci: It's certainly a possibility. I liked her character a lot, as well as that of Lee Sawyer, so they may appear in future books.
David Baldacci: Thank you very much -- it's a pleasure for me, too!
David Baldacci: He and I know each other, and whenever I'm in Charlottesville I look him up. He's a very nice man.
David Baldacci: My next book is done. It's entitled THE WINNER. I could tell you about it, but then I'd have to...you know the rest.
David Baldacci: Roughly 16 months to two years.
David Baldacci: He won't be in the next book, but he may appear in the future. I really like him.
David Baldacci: There is great pressure on bestselling authors to turn product out. I'm not sure that anyone can maintain high quality at that sort of pace. If it takes me four years to write my next book, then that's what it takes.
David Baldacci: I thought the cast was great, and I thought the adaptation was great. If you forgot the book and considered it only a movie, then it was very entertaining.
David Baldacci: There was one reason for that...and his name is Clint Eastwood. As soon as he signed, I knew the story would build around his character. So, I missed Jack Graham a lot, but I wasn't surprised.
David Baldacci: I think it's both exciting and frightening...as are all new technologies. The upside is terrific, but there are downsides. I enjoy these chats, but I really prefer to meet people face to face. I guess I'm old-fashioned.
David Baldacci: I would agree, but I would add -- make sure you're writing for the right reasons. Then you'll be more likely to finish that book.
David Baldacci: I enjoy music while I'm writing. Everything from classical to Alanis Morissette.
David Baldacci: I grew up with very strong female role models, thus I enjoy writing about women with those characteristics. I don't write about damsels in distress, because I don't know any. My wife is a great sounding board for the female characters.
David Baldacci: I read a lot of books in the thriller genre. I had polished ABSOLUTE POWER to the point where I thought it comparable to the others I had read. As a writer, you run the risk of wanting to edit something forever. But at some point you have to let go.
David Baldacci: It would be impossible to compare them, they're both challenging, and can be very rewarding. My preference is for writing, but I do not regret practicing law.
David Baldacci: I thought it was important that the reader see everything through the burglar's eyes. In that way I was able to get the reader to participate in the story. With that look, chances are they'll enjoy the book a lot more.
David Baldacci: Yes, I was a partner in a firm in Washington. I had been writing for nine years before ABSOLUTE POWER was published. I had been writing for years from ten at night until three in the morning, and working at the same time.
David Baldacci: I was a poli sci major in college, very interested in politics and power. As a lawyer in Washington I got a good dose of it, and I enjoy writing about it.
David Baldacci: Thank you very much; it's good to be an inspiration!
David Baldacci: I do my own research, and I have a person who gathers information for me on some subjects. She's very talented and very hardworking.
David Baldacci: It will probably be spring of 1998.
David Baldacci: I write on and off all during the day. I don't have a set schedule, but I work every day. When I'm not writing, I'm thinking about it.
David Baldacci: I'm trying [laughter]. Sometimes it's not so easy, but I'm not complaining.
David Baldacci: I still have a lot of respect for lawyers and how hard they work. I think the public's perceptions of lawyers is somewhat skewed; they really don't know that much about them or what they do.
David Baldacci: I don't really write courtroom dramas. However, some of the trial strategies were based on personal experiences.
David Baldacci: I've always had a great fear of the slippery slope, so censorship is not something I think is good.
David Baldacci: "The Rockford Files"!
David Baldacci: I am married, and I have two children.
David Baldacci: You may see something other than thrillers down the road. I have a lot of different interests, and there's a lot I want to write about.
David Baldacci: I went to college at VCU, and I went to law school at the University of Virginia.
David Baldacci: I do not use a software product for novels; for screenplays I use a product called Final Draft.
David Baldacci: No. Although she certainly helps with my novels. She has the world's hardest job -- Mom.
David Baldacci: There are about one million lawyers in the U.S. -- in sheer numbers there are probably too many. But if you have a passion for the profession, that shouldn't stop you.
David Baldacci: I didn't. William Goldman did, and I think Bill did a fine job.
David Baldacci: My mother and father. They have a very strong work ethic; they're very honest.
David Baldacci: A very fair comment!
David Baldacci: Yes, I was. With Ed Harris, Clint Eastwood -- had a great time.
David Baldacci: Bill Goldman is a two-time Oscar winning screenwriter -- he didn't need me to guide him at all.
David Baldacci: Me too.
David Baldacci: Losing privacy, yes. And losing personal identities.
David Baldacci: Eighteen. Because at that age they can read anything regardless of what you tell them.
David Baldacci: One can only hope.
David Baldacci: First, I have to come up with a plot that...1) is sustainable as a novel, and...2) is something I'm interested in enough to commit so much time and energy to.
David Baldacci: You have to develop interesting characters -- obviously. Motivations oftentimes are dictated by goals and what values you give the characters.
David Baldacci: Not if you love what you're doing!
David Baldacci: I thank everyone for participating, I enjoyed the questions. Best wishes!
This book was incredibly good!! I have only read a few of his book but I have become a huge David Baldacci fan. The plot is way to complex to go into in a review but it has so many twists and turns it leaves most roller coasters to shame. I didn't see how it was at all possible but it actaually did all come together in the end. Also it was not a completly happy ending. I like books that don't end with everything just as it should be, because that is not usually the way they work in real life.(
6 out of 6 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 25, 2012
The kind of book that you do not want to put down.
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 29, 2012
I've been reading or listening to David Baldacci for years. This was one of his best.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Posted October 19, 2009
I really enjoyed this read! Keeps you on your toes and you just feel for the main character.
3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.rwohlers19
Posted September 21, 2011
This was a great book. It had my attention the whole time. It was so good that I am now reading all his books in chronological order.
I recommend this book to everyone. Try it, you'll like it.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 30, 2013
The story is a transformers fanfic
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 29, 2013
A little confusibg but continue!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted May 16, 2013
A riveting story with a plot that kept changing directions
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Posted January 28, 2013
The story line is good, however, there are many errors, both grammatical and spelling. The transformers thing is cool, but you can't use the term 'autobots' or 'decepticons' or the name 'megatron' because they are copyrighted. Keep going with the story, it could really go somewhere.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 28, 2013
I love to write and do it frequently. I think your story had promise. It was very unique. But in every great story there are errors. Grammer needs a little work and instead of telling us what things meant after your story, tell us in your story. Dont put it clear but try putting it in subtly. You dont have to put it when you first start but if you wait too long then you will loose the readers grasp. I think you should try doing more or maybe even try a different style of writing. Good job And good luck!!!!
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 28, 2013
We found them . They were all right for the moment. The sparklings had a few scrapes and small cuts but nothing bad. I heard a blast coming. I pushed the sparkling infront of me down as i took the full blast to my side. It was painful to move as i got up. I winced slightly from the movement. "Go"! I shouted to them . We started running to get the sparklings away from the decepticons. My side was killing me as i held my side. Vengence looked at me with worried optics. I just looked down and kept running on. " Alpha team push it to the max we gottaget theys sparklings outta of here." I shouted. I heard them closing in. They were coming quicker. The leaking energon in my side was slowing down Alpha team I knew it. "Vengence get them outta of here now! "I shouted to him. "Silentecho come on you can make it another thousand clips and we will be safe. " We wont make it Vengence im slowing you down get them out of sector 4 now!" He gave a sarrow filled look. "You better get back Echo. You better. Alpha team push hard. Commander Silentecho will slow them down." He shouted at them. I watched with a distant look of regreat. I turned after the figures of my team left. I pulled out my two battle blades. My helmet snapped shut. Red optics shined brightly as I saw the first of decepticons. Megatron was in lead. LongHaul and Misfire were the two who follow behind him. "Aww its the Femme officer. What a lovely surprise" Megatron gave a purr in scratchy sinister voice. "Megatron " I snarled. The cannon on my back fired at LongHaul instint statis lock when a blast hit his spark chamber. Misfire was easier. A simple shot to the shoulder joint and to the pelvis joint easyly made him unmoveable. I turned my optics the the decepticon leader infront of me. "Little Femme your not going to best me." "Then i'll die trying ." I growled before charging at him. My sharp stab to his gut was stoped by his jagged sword. I brought my leg up and kicked him back. Being so much smaller then him he barely moved back 5 steps. We both circled each other. Then he charged sweeping my legs from underneath me. His jagged sword was underneath my helmet just by my voice box. With a good angle he could kill me. I brought my palm up and shoved his sword up after i got up. I was picked up by the neck and slammed into the wall. I was struggling to move. My feet no longer touched the floor as he lifted me up from the floor. "Let me go". I coughed. His evil red optics glowed. I had been able to give him a long scar down his face where enegon dripped. "Your a feisty Femme. Now lets see whats under the helmet." My helmet was ripped off of my face. My blue optics glared back at him. "Silentecho Commader of Alpha team". He growled. "We will get good information on the Autobots now. " I spat energon in his face. "Ill never betray the Autobots you scarp metal." I growled at him. He wipped the energon off with a snarl." You will learn your place Femme." That earned me another slam into the wall. He tightened his grip on my neck squeezeing harder. "Ill never tell you" I struggled out as black dots danced across my vision. "But you will ". He purred before he tightened his grip and my vision went black. The last thought on my mind was -Im sorry Vengence take care my brother. - (Femme is girl. Optics are eyes. Sparklings are like kids. Please give me good advice and tell me if i should continue or not.)
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 28, 2013
Cool! Plz do continue!! XD
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted November 28, 2012
Find the Q
OoOooOoooOOOOOooooooooooooOoooooOooOOOooOoOoOOoOOooOOOoQOOoooOoOoOooOoOoOOoooOOOOoooOOOooOoOOOooOoOOoooOOOOOooO
0 out of 12 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.jandp
Posted May 2, 2012
Well written, suspenseful book. Keeps you involved, can't wait to see what twists and turns the writer will take you down next. Wello worth the read.
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Posted May 1, 2012
Great read.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.I must admit keeping all the characters straight got to be a challenging, ad the main characters were a little too fantastic. The FBI agents gift of guessing and the wife's unyielding luck against trained killers made me say ummm. All in all the author is truly talented and I found this reading adventure suspenceful....go for it!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.This is only the 2nd novel by David Baldacci that I have read. I enjoyed Absolute Power so much that I decided to read more by this author. This book kept my interest and kept me guessing. It's very suspenseful and exciting. I highly recommend it.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Rusteigh
Posted July 1, 2011
This is a rattling good read for anyone interested primarily in entertainment and not overly concerned if plausibility is at times stretched rather too close to the limit. The narrative moves sometimes at almost breath-taking pace, with crisis building upon crisis, a main character endowed with something close to super-hero abilities and intellect and an assortment of villains whose capacity for wickedness is ... well, classic Baldacci. The plot has so many twists and turns and becomes so complicated that one cannot help but wonder how it will all be resolved; except, in the end, that it all falls into place quite logically, which says much for the author's obviously inherent inventiveness. Through it all, of course, we know that all will turn out well in the end. But the ending is well spiced with some engaging surprises of the "twist-in-the-tail" kind and this reader at least was gratified in as much as the denouement did not leave him with an "Ah, how sweet!" taste in his mouth.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Posted December 10, 2010
After Baldacci's breakthrough first novel spiraled to the bestseller lists you may have thought a follow up wouldn't stand up with fans. Thank god that wasn't the case. Total Control is a riveting and pulse-pounding thriller with a speed to rival James Patterson. This book fits anyone's needs: beach book, airplane read, rainy Sunday thrill - you name it! Baldacci has gone on to write 20 thrilling novels of intrigue and espionage, and he has nailed the #1 spot on every one... know why?? They are fantastic and Total Control is no exception.
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Posted April 20, 2008
My third book from Baldacci and it was quite the novel. The book is cleverly written but just a little overboard on the heroics of the main character. Sidney - the dainty housewife, mother and part time attorney who doubles as Rambo is a little to much for me to grasp. I believe alot of the scenarios in the book while plausible are a bit to over the top. She is fearless. The other problem with the book I had is. It is just to long. This is a constant issue with many other Baldacci fans - He overwrites. This book definitely has that problem. The paperback was at 700 pages. I would say 100-150 pages of useless banter under the delete key would have made this a better book. I still think he is a great writer. I have decided to read a few more of his since he is quite good at what he does. I can get past the over writing issue I just hope the next book I read the main character is not a super hero like Sidney. If you are looking for a talented writer in this genre you may not need not look any further. He will fit the bill. I have recommended him to several folks and they are all impressed for the most part.
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Overview