Rating: 
Summary: Not Just for Liberals -- For Everyone
Review: To those reviewers who consider Protect and Defend just for liberals -- that's true only if your mind has been super glued shut to other points of view. As a conservative female, I learned an incredible amount about both sides of the abortion debate from Patterson. I believe he presents both sides of the issue thoroughly and fairly. While still recovering from the fascinating election drama, I also found the politics of a Supreme Court nomination and approval process fascinating and frustrating. I can't help but wonder how much the novel may be a foreshadowing of things to come during the upcoming Bush Cabinet approval process. Patterson has become one of my top 10 favorite authors. Protect and Defend is easily the most compelling, thoughtful, insightful and entertaining novels I've ever read. A must read for anyone who has an open mind about abortion and politics. An added bonus -- it's well-crafted and entertaining.
Rating: 
Summary: Good storytelling, too one-sided
Review: Richard N. Patterson is my favourite writer of thriller and courtroom stories. I have read most of his books without a single dissapointment. Even so, I have to rate this book with 3 stars: the average of a good storytelling (5 stars, as always)and a biased approach to the issue. I am spanish, and my knowledge of american politics is poor. However, in this book, I came to the impression that all the good (intentions, actions, principles ...)came from one side. All the bad, from the other. Parents & republicans are so badly treated that, out of justice, I finnally found myself joining their side (even though I am son & liberal!). Even accepting that most of republicans could be dishonest people, I cannot buy that all democrats are the highly-principled and righteous people depicted in this work. Anyway, thank you very much Mr. Patterson for the hours of entertainment your books provide me and hope the next one is a bit more unbiased.
Rating: 
Summary: No more Patterson
Review: I am now adding Richard North Patterson to my list of authors, headed by Grisham, that I will no longer purchase. When I choose to read "Political Science" I prefer fact, not fiction.
Rating: 
Summary: driving me crazy, had to put it down
Review: I was given this book as an Xmas gift by a family member whose friends had really enjoyed it (from NYC). I don't know if it's post election hangover or what, but this book has aggravated me so intensely so far (~100 pages), that I had to forcefully shove it into the airline seat and read Sky Magazine instead. That's bad. I honestly feel like highlighting and marking the book up with "bleeding heart bs here -->" or "using a child to slam conservatives here <---" . Case in point. "My parents are so hypocritical (pro-life republicans) they don't want abortion but then protest to save the life of rapists". Nooooo, it liberals that protest executions, last time I checked. And try this "...her parents just want to own her, the doctor and psychologist are waiting; they know what she really needs..." Great, why don't we just have the government raise our children for us? I'm sure they know what's best. I could go on, seriously. He seems to occasionally throw in some balanced opinions but they're pretty rare. I can only hope it gets better and I'll probably end up giving it the 'ol college try; but only if I'm really bored. All this being said, it's a shame because I'm sure it's good storytelling. I just can't get past the unfair treatment of ideologies. Again, potential post election baggage? PS He says in the back that he spoke to Bush and Dole, his close, personal friends. About what? About what time they started congress? Biggest thanks went to Clinton though, not surprising. I guess 50% of the population will enjoy this read. PPS Amy, if you're reading this review; sorry for slamming your gift. As John Lee Hooker's dad once said "it's in him, and it's got to come out" (boogie chillin)
Rating:
Summary: One of the best I have ever read
Review: I can't say enough about this book. I have been a fan of Richard North Patterson and didn't think he could top No Safe Place, which I considered his best work. He has outdone himself. In combining a legal case with the politics of abortion, he has given us a timely plot with fascinating characters, many we ahve met in some of his earlier books. He obviously did his homework and the authnticity is what adds to book's greatness. At times, the legal machinations and trial scenes can get tiresome, but they do not take away from a first-class plot. Although I suspected the end result, I could never have predicted what brought us there. I was rivited from the first page. Excellent read.
Rating: 
Summary: The way things are
Review: It is understandable that at first glance, this is a left-winger's dream come true for storytelling. But Patterson's work truly dissects the processes and problems involved with such controversial issues. It's not just about ProLife vs. ProChoice, the Republicans vs. Democrats. There is a sense that this is more about the true struggle between various identities, especially those of people we directly appoint as our lawmakers, law enforcers. Though at times it seems slightly over the top, the number of people *directly* affected by abortion seems incredible, I can assume that it's not impossible given the number of people living in this country and how small the world is actually becoming. Whatever your principle, view, choice, this story asks much of us and reveals even more.
Rating:
Summary: OUTSTANDING!!!
Review: Recently appointed President, Kerry Kilcannon, has to face his first challenge: the death of the Chief Justice of the United States. The death comes as a shock, and leaves a vacant seat on the Supreme Court, a seat that needs to be filled quickly as a major abortion case of a fifteen year-old comes to trial. President Kilcannon decides to nominate Caroline Masters, a woman hiding a secret. Mary Ann Tierney is a fifteen year-old girl in trouble: she is pregnant and her baby is at risk of being born without a brain, as well as further ruining any chance of her having other children. Mary Ann's parent's are conservatives against abortion...no matter what the risk, so begins a legal battle as the parents want custody of their daughter's unborn baby. As the case heats up, so do the political games that will be played to expose Caroline and keep her off the Supreme Court. "Protect And Defend" is an oustanding tale of legal and political suspense, laced with the hot topic of abortion. Richard North Patterson has crafted his best tale in years; bringing characters from previous novels and placing them in a masterful novel that CAN NOT BE PUT DOWN. A MUST READ!!! Nick Gonnella
Rating:
Summary: popular fiction at its best
Review: Well crafted, well written, intelligent legal thriller, with intriguing larger-than-life characters (including a noble, heroic Republican who, a la John McCain, survived two years in a POW situation). As a moderate Republican who is pro-choice but very squeamish and conflicted about partial-birth abortions, I do think this novel deserves to be judged on much more than its own politics; right-wingers who condemn the novel without even reading the thing (and I'm sure there will be many) do themselves & us a disservice and waste Amazon space.
Rating:
Summary: Patterson's best work ever!
Review: Richard North Patterson has written his most compelling book, which is a significant statement given the incredible body of work which preceded Protect and Defend. He shows that he cannot be pigeonholed only as a writer of great "legal thrillers," though he certainly is that as well. This book looks at abortion, politics, the Supreme Court through a complex and interlocking network of fully drawn characters and intriguing scenarios. This is a great writer at the very top of his game. "Advise and Consent" has been the gold standard of books which seek to protray and analyze politics and the flawed humans who practice it, and "Protect and Defend" can now be mentioned in the same breath. This is a great and highly readable book which will give the reader the clearest possible picture of how our system works or, sometimes, fails to work.
Rating:
Summary: Courtroom Drama of the Highest Order
Review: Ever wonder just what goes on in the back rooms of courts when tough cases come down the pike? Here's a great fictional account with lots of factual elements, such as the abortion debate. The characters are fully developed and engaging, and the plot moves along nicely. But it is so realistic. By the time you are done you'll thiunk it really happened. And the treatment of the political issues a pretty balanced, so no matter what your views it should still be an enjoyable read. A great way to take another look at our judicial system.
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