PROTECT AND DEFEND

Richard North Patterson has concocted an entertaining political melodrama revolving around a newly elected president's struggle to get his nominee for Chief Justice of the Supreme Court approved by a recalcitrant Senate. The original novel is abridged effectively, with the motivations of the characters and their story arcs remaining surprisingly complete. Patricia Kalember delivers a dry, uninflected performance, using few accents and maintaining a steady pace throughout. Fortunately, vocal pyro-technics aren't needed here. The pervasive cynicism about the golden handcuffs of campaign money and Washington's unceasing, Machiavellian maneuvering propels the drama at breakneck speed. G.M.N. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/JUL 01]