 | |
| Author | Anonymous, reported to be Mark Salter[1] |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Genre | Political novel |
| Publisher | Simon & Schuster |
Publication date | January 25, 2011 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Media type | Hardcover and e-book |
| Pages | 353 |
| ISBN | 978-1-4516-2596-7 |
O: A Presidential Novel is a fiction book by an anonymous author (speculated to be John McCain's 2008 senior campaign advisor, Mark Salter)[1] about the 2012 U.S. presidential race. It was released on January 25, 2011. The marketing strategy for the book has been compared to the 1996 roman à clef, Primary Colors: A Novel of Politics, which was also initially ascribed to an anonymous author.[2] Its stated objective is to "offer some resonant truths about what President Obama is really thinking".[2]
As part of its pre-publication publicity, Simon & Schuster sent an e-mail to numerous writers and journalists asking them to decline to comment if they are asked whether they are the anonymous author.[3] The publisher has said that the author "has been in the room with Barack Obama." This prompted speculation on whether the author was a political reporter, an administration insider, or a Democratic Party strategist.[3] The New York Times remarked, however, that "much of what passes for inside knowledge in these pages would be known to anyone who’s read a bunch of campaign accounts".[2]
Shortly after the book was published, Mark Halperin of Time reported that his sources had confirmed the author is McCain aide Mark Salter.[4]
- ^ a b "McCain adviser pegged as 'O' author". Politico. Retrieved August 17, 2016.
- ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference
dishy takewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
writers askedwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "The Page by Mark Halperin | O, Mark Salter!!". Time. January 27, 2011. Archived from the original on January 29, 2011. Retrieved January 28, 2011.