Night of Camp David

Apr 23, 2025 11:05 AM

Author:Fletcher Knebel

Night of Camp David

Back by popular demand, the 1965 bestselling political thriller – ‘What would happen if the president of the U.S.A. went stark-raving mad?’

‘THRILLING’ Guardian

‘FIRST-RATE’ Daily Mail

‘COMPELLING’ Bob Woodward

‘A little too plausible for comfort’

New York Times, 1965

How can one man convince the highest powers in Washington that the President of the United States is dangerously unstable – before it's too late?

Senator Jim MacVeagh is proud to serve his country – and his president, Mark Hollenbach, who has a near-spotless reputation as the vibrant, charismatic leader of MacVeagh’s party and the nation. When Hollenbach begins taking MacVeagh into his confidence, the young senator knows that his star is on the rise.

But then Hollenbach starts summoning MacVeagh in the middle of the night to Camp David. There, the president sits in the dark and rants about his enemies, unfurling insane theories about all the people he says are conspiring against him. They would do anything, President Hollenbach tells the stunned senator, to stop him from setting in motion the grand, unprecedented plans he has to make America a great world power once again.

MacVeagh comes away from these meetings increasingly convinced that the man he once admired has lost his mind. But what can he do? Who can he tell?

Reviews

Compelling... It’s a testament to Knebel’s skill that Night of Camp David remains thrilling

—— Tom McCarthy , Guardian

This summer I reread Night of Camp David, the 1965 novel by Fletcher Knebel... The book ends with some compelling twists

—— Bob Woodward, author of Fear: Trump in the White House , New York Times

Eerily prescient

—— Laura Wilson , Guardian

When it first appeared, this first-rate thriller was termed "a little too plausible for comfort". It still is

—— Geoffrey Wansell , Daily Mail

Provides a clever, unexpected solution, by way of some fine writing

—— The Times

My Name Is Anna has plenty of reveals but it’s the big emotions this book evokes that make you keep reading this debut by Lizzy Barber.

—— Good Housekeeping

Dark, disturbing and powerful, the gripping plot is full of twists, turns and suspense. You will not want to put it down.

—— Candis

You won’t put it down until you finish it!

—— Prima

Lizzy Barber’s psychological suspense debut is fast-paced, compelling and impossible to put down.

—— CultureFly

Compelling, emotional and haunting in ways beyond your imagination, this story is everything I hoped it would be and more. I would be shocked if we don't see it on our television screens in the future. A must-read for 2019

—— Books of All Kinds

Enthralling, and often deeply moving, it is a brilliant debut

—— Daily Mail

As convincing as it was gripping, a fabulous debut thriller

—— Sunday Mirror

This strong debut features two very different teenage girls, both trying to make sense of their lives… Barber skilfully evokes their contrasting worlds and blundering steps towards the truth.

—— Mail on Sunday, Thriller of the Month

Barber has created characters with sufficient appeal to fuel real suspense.

—— Guardian, Thriller of the Month

Convincing and gripping, this is a fabulous debut thriller.

—— The People

As convincing as it was gripping, a fabulous debut thriller.

—— Sunday Mirror

This strong debut features two very different teenage girls, both trying to make sense of their lives…
Barber skilfully evokes their contrasting worlds and blundering steps towards the truth.

—— Mail on Sunday, Thrillers of the Month

A fast paced and interesting exploration of the lives of two teenagers in very different circumstances. A gripping read… thoroughly enjoyable

—— Frost Magazine

I thoroughly enjoyed My Name is Anna from the outset, my attention was grabbed by the intriguing prologue and beautiful prose. Lizzy Barber manages to balance a compelling narrative with excellent attention to detail and exquisite descriptions.

—— Something Bookish

A chillingly compulsive read

—— Daily Mail

A gripping story about loss, memory and love

—— Best

Dark, disturbing and powerful, the gripping plot is full of twists, turns and suspense. You will not want to put it down.

—— Candis

A gripping one-sitting read… this is a deft and assured debut novel from Lizzy Barber.

—— Shots Magazine

My Name Is Anna is a book that instantly compels you to keep reading after the first chapter. If you like compulsive psychological dramas with emotionally complex characters, make this your next read.

—— Culture Fly

I can't remember a debut I read with such pleasure - a really masterful handling of complex plot and beautiful characterisation

—— Helen Callaghan, bestselling author of Dear Amy

A thriller with a chilling psychological edge that explores the bonds of friendship

—— Woman

Slow-burning, yet intense ... Ticks all the crime thriller boxes

—— Peterborough Evening Telegraph

Brilliant. We predict she is a big name for the future

—— Leamington Courier

Once Upon a River is a delight, just marvellous. I devoured it in gulps.

—— Jo Baker, bestselling author of Longbourn

Once Upon A River succeeds in doing what you hope every book will do - pull you in from the first page, hold you captive in the middle, then leave you satisfied and thoughtful at the end. I loved it.

—— Renee Knight, author of bestseller Disclaimer

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