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We Are Holding the President Hostage
Aging Mafia Don Salvatore Padronelli is furious when fanatical Islamic terrorists capture his beloved daughter and grandson on a trip to Egypt. Fed up with ineffective diplomatic measures and a lack of governmental action, the Don and his loyal henchman cleverly insinuate themselves into the White House posing as waiters at a State dinner and take the President and his wife hostage. Now the Don calls the shots. This classic confrontation between two men on utterly opposite sides of the law is laced with humor and illustrates how fierce paternal love can motivate even the most ruthless of gangsters into reckless acts of courage and bravery.
287 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1986
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137 people want to read
About the author
Warren Adler
75 books113 followersWarren Adler was an American author, playwright and poet. His novel The War of the Roses was turned into a dark comedy starring Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner and Danny DeVito.
Adler was an essayist, short-story writer, poet and playwright, whose works have been translated into 25 languages.
Adler was an essayist, short-story writer, poet and playwright, whose works have been translated into 25 languages.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
June 22, 2023
“We Are Holding the President Hostage” is a powerful tale of terrorism and revenge originally published in 1986.
This title may be a dead giveaway but this book is nonetheless a high-octane thriller that has gripped me from the very start and kept me riveted till the last page and sometime after.
Summary:
When terrorists capture the daughter and grandson of a Mafia Don in Egypt, the Don cleverly insinuates himself into the White House and holds the President and his wife hostage.
Although basic, the plot is intriguing and well- done. The story takes place in the White House and the kidnapped hostages’ part is in the Middle East. The author skillfully keeps the tension going in this deadly game of bluff as the struggle between the two sides intensifies and the hostages are just plain pawns in a war of nerves. This is a mind game between the characters, a real cerebral chess match. This story excels in the contrast between the men and how they use their power over the other.
The style is clean cut, no profanity or sex scenes and as the drama progresses each character share their point of view on their situation as well as their feelings and fears…
If you enjoy politically savvy action novel, this quick and fun read may be up your alley.
This title may be a dead giveaway but this book is nonetheless a high-octane thriller that has gripped me from the very start and kept me riveted till the last page and sometime after.
Summary:
When terrorists capture the daughter and grandson of a Mafia Don in Egypt, the Don cleverly insinuates himself into the White House and holds the President and his wife hostage.
Although basic, the plot is intriguing and well- done. The story takes place in the White House and the kidnapped hostages’ part is in the Middle East. The author skillfully keeps the tension going in this deadly game of bluff as the struggle between the two sides intensifies and the hostages are just plain pawns in a war of nerves. This is a mind game between the characters, a real cerebral chess match. This story excels in the contrast between the men and how they use their power over the other.
The style is clean cut, no profanity or sex scenes and as the drama progresses each character share their point of view on their situation as well as their feelings and fears…
If you enjoy politically savvy action novel, this quick and fun read may be up your alley.
August 12, 2016
First of all, I was fascinated when I realized that this book was originally published in 1986 since the Audible version just came out this year (2016). (I received the Audible version of this book in exchange for an honest review.) It is especially interesting given the current situation in the middle east and even 30 years later the plot is plausible.
I thought the story itself was good, as was the character development. I do think that it moved a little slowly and I found myself just wanting to hurry up and get to the end and find out how the situation was resolved. In fact I sped up the narration just to move it along.
The narration for the Audible version was very good and I believe it enhanced the story. Even when I sped it up 1.25, then 1.5 times, it still sounded good!
All in all an interesting and intriguing story.
I thought the story itself was good, as was the character development. I do think that it moved a little slowly and I found myself just wanting to hurry up and get to the end and find out how the situation was resolved. In fact I sped up the narration just to move it along.
The narration for the Audible version was very good and I believe it enhanced the story. Even when I sped it up 1.25, then 1.5 times, it still sounded good!
All in all an interesting and intriguing story.
January 2, 2018
"We Are Holding the President Hostage" (1986) by Warren Adler is a intriguing novel about an aging mafia don called the Padre whose daughter and grandson are kidnapped by terrorists in Egypt. The Padre will stop at nothing to rescue them, even infiltrating the White House and holding both the president and the first lady hostage. It’s a solid political thriller published over thirty years ago, so there are dated references to the Soviet Union, etc. Still, strongly recommended. Audiobook given free in exchange for honest review.
July 5, 2018
Doesn’t live up to the billing
The premise of this book is exciting and thrilling; it falls desperately short!
When the White House is caught in a siege by a group of Mafiosa, you expect it to be thrill a minute! Instead, it’s a 4 hour read about American Prestidential policy. Nothing happens until the last 50 pages, and even then the ending is an anti-climax and the last few chapters feel entirely rushed.
Calling this a thriller is a far stretch.
The premise of this book is exciting and thrilling; it falls desperately short!
When the White House is caught in a siege by a group of Mafiosa, you expect it to be thrill a minute! Instead, it’s a 4 hour read about American Prestidential policy. Nothing happens until the last 50 pages, and even then the ending is an anti-climax and the last few chapters feel entirely rushed.
Calling this a thriller is a far stretch.
May 15, 2017
Super cool.
Now when do we expect to see these fanatics copy a good idea.we never did find out why the padre didn't blow up. I figured out about the bodies. And how about the sick boy. Was his stay in icu an informative operation? I really enjoyed the book. Looking forward to another. M h one question is why did you not record the family reunion?.
Now when do we expect to see these fanatics copy a good idea.we never did find out why the padre didn't blow up. I figured out about the bodies. And how about the sick boy. Was his stay in icu an informative operation? I really enjoyed the book. Looking forward to another. M h one question is why did you not record the family reunion?.
March 14, 2018
Warren Adler has a wonderful sense of humor and that made this book very entertaining, but I still gave it only 3-Stars.
August 15, 2018
Great break from Reality!
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October 11, 2018
Great Book
I really enjoyed this book. It is the first one I have read by this author and I am so glad I read it.
I really enjoyed this book. It is the first one I have read by this author and I am so glad I read it.
May 8, 2020
I liked the story with the mafia and the kidnapping but the most creative solute has was to kidnap the president? Interesting concept but a bit out there for me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 9, 2021
Truly enjoyed this story - so many characters that are so fundamentally different from each other and how the story overlaps them.
February 17, 2017
Warren Adler is the author of more than forty published novels, the most famous being “The War of the Roses”, made into a very successful movie. This was my first occasion to read any of his work. I really enjoyed it and am contemplating which book to tackle next.
The plot of the book revolves around a family, Richard who works for the foreign service and is stationed in Egypt, his wife Maria and their five year old son. When this book was written in the mid 1980’s, 1986, the USSR was still intact and terrorism was starting to rise. The PLA and Arafat were the main group but others were popping up in Lebanon, Syria, Libya and Egypt. Mr. Adler was eerily ahead of his time in how he portrays this world of terrorism, each with their own agendas.
As the novel begins, Maria is sitting in her car with her not so patient son waiting to pick up her husband. He is already an hour late. He is part of the group giving the Under Secretary of State a tour of the museum. Also in the same parking lot are six men waiting to kidnap the Under Secretary to ransom in exchange for prisoner releases. When Maria’s son can wait no longer, she walks him towards the museum entrance to use the restroom, just as the dignitaries come out. The terrorist plan goes sideways quickly. In an attempt to gain something out of the botched plan Maria and her son are snatched instead.
This is where the novel excels in the dichotomy of power and how it is used. American policy is not to negotiate with terrorist. Maria and her son will most likely suffer torture and die. Except for one small fact unknown but to Maria, her husband and a few others. Maria’s father is a businessman in Brooklyn. The kind of business that Mario Puzo wrote so well about in his novels. Maria’s father is a Don, a Godfather, a mafia king. He does not play by the same rules as the government especially when his only surviving child and only grandson are involved.
His plan is simple. If the President will not negotiate with terrorist for hostages, take the President hostage. Here the book shows some dating. The mafia get into the White House relatively easy. There is only one computer involved for the CIA Director to use to contact operatives. Once the reader accepts the existence of the USSR and lack of computers and tight security, the story flows nicely. It really was a compelling listen.
Mr. Moore does a great job narrating. The overt menace of the terrorist leader is nicely contrasted with the calm danger of the mafia don. All the accents are well done. Mr. Moore infuses the emotion into the narration without overdoing it. He really made the audiobook a “must listen just a little bit longer” that turned into hours. The production values were great.
I received a free copy of this audiobook from Audiobook Reviewer in exchange for an honest review.
The plot of the book revolves around a family, Richard who works for the foreign service and is stationed in Egypt, his wife Maria and their five year old son. When this book was written in the mid 1980’s, 1986, the USSR was still intact and terrorism was starting to rise. The PLA and Arafat were the main group but others were popping up in Lebanon, Syria, Libya and Egypt. Mr. Adler was eerily ahead of his time in how he portrays this world of terrorism, each with their own agendas.
As the novel begins, Maria is sitting in her car with her not so patient son waiting to pick up her husband. He is already an hour late. He is part of the group giving the Under Secretary of State a tour of the museum. Also in the same parking lot are six men waiting to kidnap the Under Secretary to ransom in exchange for prisoner releases. When Maria’s son can wait no longer, she walks him towards the museum entrance to use the restroom, just as the dignitaries come out. The terrorist plan goes sideways quickly. In an attempt to gain something out of the botched plan Maria and her son are snatched instead.
This is where the novel excels in the dichotomy of power and how it is used. American policy is not to negotiate with terrorist. Maria and her son will most likely suffer torture and die. Except for one small fact unknown but to Maria, her husband and a few others. Maria’s father is a businessman in Brooklyn. The kind of business that Mario Puzo wrote so well about in his novels. Maria’s father is a Don, a Godfather, a mafia king. He does not play by the same rules as the government especially when his only surviving child and only grandson are involved.
His plan is simple. If the President will not negotiate with terrorist for hostages, take the President hostage. Here the book shows some dating. The mafia get into the White House relatively easy. There is only one computer involved for the CIA Director to use to contact operatives. Once the reader accepts the existence of the USSR and lack of computers and tight security, the story flows nicely. It really was a compelling listen.
Mr. Moore does a great job narrating. The overt menace of the terrorist leader is nicely contrasted with the calm danger of the mafia don. All the accents are well done. Mr. Moore infuses the emotion into the narration without overdoing it. He really made the audiobook a “must listen just a little bit longer” that turned into hours. The production values were great.
I received a free copy of this audiobook from Audiobook Reviewer in exchange for an honest review.
August 18, 2016
We Are Holding the President Hostage was first published in 1986, now, 30 years later it is available as an ebook and audiobook.
The story opens in Egypt with the attempted kidnapping of an American Assistant Secretary of State, when this went awry, the terrorists immediately changed plans and kidnapped Maria Michaels and her five year old son Joey who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The kidnapper, Ahmed, has no idea that Maria is the daughter of the very powerful Mafia leader, Salvatore Padronelli “The Padre”.
The Presidents attempts to negotiate freedom for Maria and Joey are failing and the Padre is becoming very impatient.
The Padre holds a meeting and tells his men of his audacious plan.
Meanwhile, at The White House, first lady Amy Bernard is finalising plans for a grand State Dinner.
The evening of the dinner is when the Padre strikes, some of his men, dressed as waiters, snatch the President and hold him hostage in the presidential quarters.
However, things do not proceed as smoothly or as quickly as the Padre had expected.
Meanwhile, Maria and Joey are in captivity with only their basic needs being met, it is quite touching, the way Maria attempts to comfort her son.
Back at the White House it’s interesting to hear of some of the less ethical plans that some of the Presidents men come up with.
The final plan causes the First Lady to doubt her husbands integrity and the tension is building.
Though a little slow to start, this was an exciting read, I couldn’t wait to find out how they would resolve the situation, and there is a little twist in the tail.
I would also recommend it even if the reader has no interest in politics.
Narrator
Eric Bryan Moore has a versatile voice ranging from the trusting to the menacing. His good pace and rhythm carries the story well and makes it an easy listen. He gave a distinct voice to each character of which there were many, the accents, again, quite a few, sounded natural and authentic.
I hope we will be hearing more of him in the future
Audiobook provided by the producer, author or narrator in return for an unbiased review
The story opens in Egypt with the attempted kidnapping of an American Assistant Secretary of State, when this went awry, the terrorists immediately changed plans and kidnapped Maria Michaels and her five year old son Joey who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The kidnapper, Ahmed, has no idea that Maria is the daughter of the very powerful Mafia leader, Salvatore Padronelli “The Padre”.
The Presidents attempts to negotiate freedom for Maria and Joey are failing and the Padre is becoming very impatient.
The Padre holds a meeting and tells his men of his audacious plan.
Meanwhile, at The White House, first lady Amy Bernard is finalising plans for a grand State Dinner.
The evening of the dinner is when the Padre strikes, some of his men, dressed as waiters, snatch the President and hold him hostage in the presidential quarters.
However, things do not proceed as smoothly or as quickly as the Padre had expected.
Meanwhile, Maria and Joey are in captivity with only their basic needs being met, it is quite touching, the way Maria attempts to comfort her son.
Back at the White House it’s interesting to hear of some of the less ethical plans that some of the Presidents men come up with.
The final plan causes the First Lady to doubt her husbands integrity and the tension is building.
Though a little slow to start, this was an exciting read, I couldn’t wait to find out how they would resolve the situation, and there is a little twist in the tail.
I would also recommend it even if the reader has no interest in politics.
Narrator
Eric Bryan Moore has a versatile voice ranging from the trusting to the menacing. His good pace and rhythm carries the story well and makes it an easy listen. He gave a distinct voice to each character of which there were many, the accents, again, quite a few, sounded natural and authentic.
I hope we will be hearing more of him in the future
Audiobook provided by the producer, author or narrator in return for an unbiased review
July 21, 2016
When terrorist kidnap a group in Egypt they end up with the daughter and grandson of an aging Don Salvatore Padronelli also known as The Padre.
Robert his son-in-law hates what he does for a living and doesn't want to ask him for help but with his wife and son being held hostage he doesn't have much choice.
The Padre is frustrated that the president won't do anything to get the hostages back so he concocts a plan to infiltrate the white house during a dinner and hold the president hostage until he does something to get his family back.
You know a while back I might have thought that this would be impossible for them to do with the secret service being so on guard but this day and age maybe not so much. With all the Secret Service scandals and letting people on the to white house property, it could be plausible. Still, at times I thought it a little over the top believable, but hey it's a book.
It wasn't a gripping thriller and I had a hard time trying to decide what category to put it in and in the in end thriller is where it landed. I know that The Padre is in all reality a bad guy, but in this instant, he was a father and grandfather and I really felt bad for him. He was willing to kill himself and all those around him in order to get his daughter and grandson brought home.
Some secondary characters I like and some I didn't. I was not a fan of the president and thought his wife acted at times better than him. I also thought the daughter and son that were kidnapped were very brave.
I did find the story enjoyable and I was really curious about how things were going to work out especially after some of the moves that The Padre made. I think my biggest complaint would be that I felt the ending was somewhat rushed. It seemed to get a bit chaotic and then boom it was over the end.
Though I have seen a movie adaptation of one of Adler's books this is the first time I have actually listened to one of his books and though it had some flaws I enjoyed it.
3.5 rating on my blog.
Robert his son-in-law hates what he does for a living and doesn't want to ask him for help but with his wife and son being held hostage he doesn't have much choice.
The Padre is frustrated that the president won't do anything to get the hostages back so he concocts a plan to infiltrate the white house during a dinner and hold the president hostage until he does something to get his family back.
You know a while back I might have thought that this would be impossible for them to do with the secret service being so on guard but this day and age maybe not so much. With all the Secret Service scandals and letting people on the to white house property, it could be plausible. Still, at times I thought it a little over the top believable, but hey it's a book.
It wasn't a gripping thriller and I had a hard time trying to decide what category to put it in and in the in end thriller is where it landed. I know that The Padre is in all reality a bad guy, but in this instant, he was a father and grandfather and I really felt bad for him. He was willing to kill himself and all those around him in order to get his daughter and grandson brought home.
Some secondary characters I like and some I didn't. I was not a fan of the president and thought his wife acted at times better than him. I also thought the daughter and son that were kidnapped were very brave.
I did find the story enjoyable and I was really curious about how things were going to work out especially after some of the moves that The Padre made. I think my biggest complaint would be that I felt the ending was somewhat rushed. It seemed to get a bit chaotic and then boom it was over the end.
Though I have seen a movie adaptation of one of Adler's books this is the first time I have actually listened to one of his books and though it had some flaws I enjoyed it.
3.5 rating on my blog.
June 2, 2016
The story line wandered a bit and needed more development. I wanted to know more about the woman and her courageous child.
The narration missed the mark when the pages were read without inflection and passion. If the narrator is interested so am I. I am guessing the reason actors make such good narrators is their acting classes that teach the difference.
I received this book free for an honest review.
The narration missed the mark when the pages were read without inflection and passion. If the narrator is interested so am I. I am guessing the reason actors make such good narrators is their acting classes that teach the difference.
I received this book free for an honest review.
May 25, 2016
I thought this was a pretty interesting book, and it was enjoyable. There are mobsters, politics, suspense, terrorism, etc. It's an exciting combination, albeit a little far-fetched. The narration for the Audible audio version was good. The voices sounded effortless, and the character differentiation was good. I had never read anything by Warren Adler before, but I would definitely check out more books by him.
March 22, 2016
We Are Holding the President Hostage review
We Are Holding the President Hostage is a fascinating thriller about politics, the mafia and terrorism written by author Warren Adler.
We Are Holding the President Hostage is a fascinating thriller about politics, the mafia and terrorism written by author Warren Adler.
July 20, 2016
Engrossing
Liked the story...very different. Slow in a few spots but your curiosity makes you want to read it quickly to find out the ending.
Liked the story...very different. Slow in a few spots but your curiosity makes you want to read it quickly to find out the ending.
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