Product Description

After the Democratic presidential nomination is stolen by the Senate Majority Leader in a credentials fight at the convention, the moderate California governor shocks the political establishment by launching an independent bid for the presidency. The FBI and the Justice Department open a criminal investigation into the credentials dispute while the Republican candidate, the incumbent vice-president, seems to be coasting to victory in the topsy-turvy three-way presidential race. But nothing in this race is as easy or as simple as it seems:

A well-financed terrorist leads a dedicated band of followers in an attempt to inflict damage on the United States severe enough to make 9/11 look like a minor event -- and in this election year, he knows just how to do it.

The first African-American presidential nominee in history is badly hobbled by a conservative revolt led by a politically savvy religious broadcaster.

A conflict looms with a newly nuclear Iran, and the lame-duck President plans a military strike against that nation.

A sex scandal on the eve of the election sends the campaign into chaos.

As the election nears, the potential seems large for a cliff-hanger finish in which no candidate wins a majority of the electoral vote. Will the election be thrown into the House of Representatives, where a shrewd and devious Speaker is torn between his voracious ambition and his constitutional duty?

Created by a veteran of seven presidential campaigns with a quarter century of experience as a political strategist, Dark Horse sizzles with authenticity and reads truer than non-fiction. Offering a looking-glass into presidential politics on the eve of the 2008 election, Dark Horse contains characters, plot twists, and rare insight relevant to the real-life presidential campaign now underway.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #57950 in Books
• Published on: 2008-06-03
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 448 pages

From Publishers Weekly
For Reed, former head of the Christian Coalition, politics is a man's world to its very core—especially when it comes to the race for president, which is at the center of this first novel. Women characters are either wives with drinking problems, tarts who use sex to get ahead professionally (but not that far) or VP candidates chosen purely for show, who are belittled behind the scenes for lack of experience and lightweight intelligence. Democrats are drunks who play dirty and bloody each other's noses. Cue the white knight—Gov. Bob Long, newly come to Christ, a true independent candidate—to save the day, rock both parties' worlds and remind the country about good values and the meaning of patriotism. Long is God's candidate, and with Christian leaders taking his side, he just might trump Republicans and Democrats alike. Reed's prose is average for a potboiling political thriller, and the crisis-laden plot keeps the pages turning, but the novel's specifically Christian agenda will satisfy some readers and alienate others. (June)
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Review
"Only Ralph Reed is capable of extending a political thriller to the realm of the spiritual and the devotional. Dark Horse is an exciting read that beats even the real thing of 2008 for suspense and drama." -- Robert D. Novak, syndicated columnist and television commentator

Review
"Ralph Reed, a top-flight political player, has done it again with Dark Horse. This political thriller is a spellbinding mix of suspense and intrigue that takes the reader on a behind-the-scenes tour of a bitter and hard-fought presidential campaign. Dark Horse, a timely account of the best and worst of American politics, is a must-read." -- Sean Hannity, host, The Sean Hannity Show, and cohost, Hannity & Colmes

"Ralph Reed has written a lively novel that crackles with real-life political drama. Dark Horse is a page-turner that combines an insider's knowledge of politics with the suspense of a thriller. You won't be able to put it down." -- Karl Rove, former senior adviser and deputy chief of staff to President George W. Bush

"Only Ralph Reed is capable of extending a political thriller to the realm of the spiritual and the devotional. Dark Horse is an exciting read that beats even the real thing of 2008 for suspense and drama." -- Robert D. Novak, syndicated columnist and television commentator

Customer Reviews

Dark Horse
For political junkies, this is a fasinating book, especially as respects the present election. It is amazing that Ralph Reed could write a book that, in many ways, follows the present campaigns. We will just have to wait and see if everything works outs as he projects in this book.

A Look Behind the Curtain
Dark Horse is a fast paced story that could have been easily lifted from newspapers or right off of the network news programs. Although it was a little challenging at the very beginning, probably due to the reader being dropped into the middle of a political process with a large cast of characters, Once you sort out the players the payoff is worthwhile. Ralph Reed has been involved in bare knuckled politics for many years. It is obvious from the tags for this book, that he continues to be a lightening rod of vitriol from his political adversaries. I suppose success brings both adoration and vilification.

Notwithstanding all of that, Dark Horse is a fun read, in the way that Bill Buckley's Blackford Oakes series are fun to read. One gets the sense that as this story unfolds the reader is treated to a behind the scenes look at the intrigue of a national campaign. Who better to let us in on that than one who has been in the center of many political storms over the years. Though Reed portrays politicians and religious leaders reasonably realistically, every one appears to be brawlers when the gloves come off in the heat of the battle. it is easy to imagine that much of the story was drawn from Reed's experience as a consultant in the political process and a former candidate for office himself. That little touch of realism makes the story that much more interesting.

If you are looking for a fun read with a little constitutional education and political drama, Dark Horse fits the bill. For the aspiring young politico, Dark Horse captures the heat and emotion and does so in a manner that one would not mind their kids picking up the book and reading it. Hopefully Ralph will give us another book in the no so distant future that extends the story line of some of the interesting characters we have met in this book.

A Rip-Roaring Page-Turner Political Thriller
From the opening pages until the final sentence, Ralph Reed captured my attention and held it captive with his political thriller. With his years in politics, Reed has the real-life background to build into the characters and storyline for DARK HORSE.

Was it somewhat predictable? Yes, but in my book that is OK as long as you enjoy the characters, dialogue and story. I did. It is well-worth a few hours of reading time. If you are headed on a long plane trip or can spend a few evenings with this tale, I recommend it.