The President's Plane Is Missing

The President's Plane Is Missing is a 1967 political thriller that became a New York Times bestseller. The story centers on the aftermath of Air Force One's crash in remote terrain, with no definitive confirmation of the U.S. President's fate. As tensions with China escalate toward potential nuclear conflict, Vice President Madigan faces mounting pressure to assume control of the government. The narrative focuses on the constitutional crisis and power vacuum created by the uncertainty surrounding the President's status. The plot explores the mechanics of presidential succession through the lens of the then-recently ratified 25th Amendment. The novel's themes include the fragility of constitutional order, the weight of nuclear decision-making, and the complex interplay between personal ambition and national security.

Readers describe this 1967 political thriller as a product of its Cold War era, with several noting its dated technology and political dynamics. What readers liked: - Fast-paced narrative with realistic details about presidential protocols - Technical accuracy about aircraft operations - Tense atmosphere and buildup of suspense - Clear, straightforward writing style What readers disliked: - Characters lack depth and development - Political elements feel outdated - Plot becomes predictable in later chapters - Some found the ending unsatisfying Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (142 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (31 ratings) Reader comments highlight the book's accuracy about aviation procedures, with one Amazon reviewer noting "Serling's background as an aviation journalist shines through." Multiple Goodreads reviews mention the book reads like a "time capsule" of 1960s presidential security measures. Several readers compared it to Seven Days in May, though considered it less complex.

Seven Days in May by Fletcher Knebel A military plot to overthrow the U.S. government unfolds through multiple perspectives within the halls of power in Washington.

Fail Safe by Eugene Burdick, Harvey Wheeler A technical malfunction sends American bombers toward Moscow, triggering a race against time in the Pentagon and White House.

Night Flight to Paris by Donald Hamilton The disappearance of an Air Force plane carrying nuclear weapons draws an intelligence officer into a Cold War crisis across Europe.

The Third World War by Sir John Hackett A detailed account presents a hypothetical conflict between NATO and the Warsaw Pact through the lens of military and political decision-makers.

By Dawn's Early Light by Eric L. Harry The U.S. President and military commanders navigate a nuclear crisis from their command posts and airborne command centers after a surprise attack.

🛩️ Despite his political thrillers, Robert J. Serling was primarily known as an aviation journalist and wrote extensively about commercial aviation history, including the definitive history of TWA Airlines. ✈️ The author was the older brother of Rod Serling, creator of "The Twilight Zone," and both brothers shared a passion for writing suspenseful narratives. 📚 Published in 1967, the book was adapted into a successful TV movie of the same name in 1973, starring Peter Graves and Arthur Kennedy. 🏛️ The book was one of the first popular novels to explore the complexities of the 25th Amendment, which had only been ratified in 1967, the same year as the book's publication. 🌐 The novel's plot involving tensions with China was remarkably prescient, as it predated President Nixon's historic diplomatic opening to China by several years.