Guile - by Craig Snyder (Paperback)

About the Book

With Guile, Craig Snyder has written a thriller exposing the dark underbelly of American politics, a novel rich in suspense and intrigue that will have readers turning its pages quickly in rueful anticipation of the next election.

Book Synopsis

"If you like political intrigue, this is the book for you." - Marjorie Margolies, former Democratic Congresswoman

"This book gives you a sense of how politics happens in real life because Craig Snyder has lived it." - Andrew Yang, former Democratic candidate for President of the United States

As November approaches, two near opposites clash for the nation's highest office. It's Ven Hess, firebrand populist breaking all the old rules, known as "The Hessian" for his intimidating tactics on the pitcher's mound, versus Democrat Alec Maynard, an African American Admiral with his own flaws but who offers the nation at least some hope of normalcy.

Pete Vankov, a political operative known as the "Dark Angel" because of his reputation for winning at all costs, spearheads the Hess campaign. Meanwhile, an estranged colleague, David Gruber, together with The Globe's political reporter, Jane Berglund, devises a plan to thwart Vankov's march towards a dirty and dangerous victory.

Who wins?

With Guile, veteran political strategist Craig Snyder has written a thriller exposing the dark underbelly of American politics, a novel rich in suspense and intrigue that will have readers turning its pages quickly in rueful anticipation of the next election.

"Snyder has been a national political insider and highest level operative for three decades and it shows in the authenticity and details on every page of this gripping 'House of Cards' style novel." - James Greenwood, former GOP Congressman

"Snyder outlines how ethically compromised these relationships can be. How tough... how impossible... when they find themselves flying too close to the flame. There is sizzle and scandal. They get so far, they can't turn back and typically they're convinced that they must win at any cost... that the ends justify the means. It's ripped from the headlines, you will recognize the players. Sometimes it becomes a battle between the bad and the worse. Snyder provides a surprising and rather uplifting ending. If you like political intrigue, this is the book for you." - Marjorie Margolies, former Democratic Congresswoman

Review Quotes

"This book gives you a sense of how politics happens in real life because Craig Snyder has lived it." - Andrew Yang, former Democratic candidate for President of the United States

"Written by someone who knows the way Washington works, Guile is an action packed adventure with twists and turns to keep you guessing." - Christine Todd Whitman, former GOP Governor of NJ and Cabinet member for US President George W Bush

"This is the behind the scenes story I've always wanted to read, by an author who has been there and done that. A gripping, propulsive roman a clef. Have fun guessing the real-world names of the characters. Craig Snyder knows them all." - Barton Gellman, journalist and author with awards including the Pulitzer Prize, an Emmy for documentary filmmaking, and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize

"Guile is impossible to put down. As you read lightbulbs explode in your brain as you realize Snyder is flinging the door to the real political insiders and their machinations wide open. If you've ever watched the news and wondered 'How the hell does that happen..., ' this book is your answer in fictional form." - Robin Davis Miller, former President, The Authors Guild

"Guile is one of the most interesting and important novels I have read in years. It takes an unsparing look into the inner-workings of contemporary Washington DC in ways that only the author, Craig Snyder, can do...With amazing skill, Snyder builds characters and tells a story that depicts the realities of DC, realities which have almost-but not quite-suffocated the yearning by many in Washington and beyond for a spirit of greater optimism and idealism in government. Can an American political renaissance ever happen? What are the limitations and possibilities in public life today? For all those interested in these questions, my recommendation is to sit down and read Guile." - David Eisenhower