<p>The setting is Washington, D.C. The action begins when President Harley Hudson is killed in an air crash. The Speaker of the House becomes President and calls for a national committee to select new nominees for the coming election.</p>

<p>The theme of this novel is violence in American life--a violence promoted and condoned by politicians who are fools, dupes or knaves. The narrative moves quickly, full of the excitement and intrigue for which Allen Drury is well known.</p>