For those of you that haven't or couldn't attend book club lately, we'll be publishing the previous months' discussion questions here. I hope eventually to post discussion questions for all of the books we've covered since I took over a couple of years ago, maybe even beyond. It will take a while. Until then, we will be posting discussion questions a couple of times a month. Here are the questions from September's title, The President is Missing. We hope these questions spark discussions of your own.
The President Is Missing
by Bill Clinton and James Patterson
Summary:
The President Is Missing confronts a threat so huge that it jeopardizes not just Pennsylvania Avenue and Wall Street, but all of America. Uncertainty and fear grip the nation. There are whispers of cyber terrorism and espionage and a traitor in the Cabinet. Even the President himself becomes a suspect, and then he disappears from public view . . .
Set over the course of three days, The President Is Missing sheds a stunning light upon the inner workings and vulnerabilities of our nation. Filled with information that only a former commander in chief could know, this is the most authentic, terrifying novel to come along in many years. -- Book Jacket
Discussion Questions
Before being President, President Jonathan Lincoln Duncan was a Ranger in the armed forces. This is referred to numerous times throughout the novel. Outside of being outright stated, in what ways do we see this represented? Does this seem an accurate portrayal?
Do you agree with the statement by the President that “There is a reason that the founders of our country put a civilian in charge of the military” (p.80)? Why or why not? (The comment was in regards to whether or not to launch a drone strike on a terrorist leader using his wife and children as shields against such an action)
How was the military portrayed? How about the Secret Service? Compare and contrast.
President Clinton is considered a Third Way Democrat. What is your understanding of this philosophy and political position?
In what way do you see President Clinton’s politics inform the novel? In what way do you see his experience as a past president change how you understand the story?
One of the main themes throughout the novel is the idea of politics run amok and overtaking both common sense and patriotism. In what way do you see that in today’s society?
Examine the parallels and divergences between the Vice President in this book’s stance on how she thought she never would have joined President Duncan’s campaign but eventually did with the current situation between Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.
There is a decent amount of discussion on what is and isn’t released both to the public and to fellow members of the government. Do you see this as accurate? Why or why not?
Which side of the governmental transparency issue do you fall on? Would you have done it any differently?
If you ran a (or this) country and you discovered a spy/mole was in your midst, what would you do?
Our reliance on technology, in particular the internet, also held a large role in the novel. Do you believe we have gone too far in reality? How do you think this issue could be solved? Should it?
What do you think a world without the internet would look like?
What was your take on the secret rondevous with Augie? How would you have done it? Do you think it should have been handled differently? How or how not?
How did they finally eliminate the virus? Do you think this is plausible? Did you understand it?
For those of you that have read other Patterson novels, was this what you expect from a James Patterson novel? Why or why not? Did it live up to your expectations, rise to new heights, or fall flat?
Was there any part that you would do differently? Any aspect you would have liked covered differently?