Books #49 and 50: The President is Missing & The Winning Formula

I'm getting behind once again, so I'm doing a double whammy post, purely so I don't worry that I'm spamming posts too quickly! These two books are very different, the first is another James Patterson book, whilst the second is one of those 'inspirational' biographical books by David Coulthard. So without further ado...

Book #49 is my second venture into James Patterson, co-written by Bill Clinton... Yes that's President Bill 'I did not have sexual relations with that woman' Clinton. I have to say, I really enjoyed this book, and with the subject at hand, it would've been veryuseful to have an Ex-President of the USA, writing about a President of the USA.

As the title suggests, the president is missing. Except he isn't, to the reader at least. He's missing to the rest of the USA, as the President conducts a clandestine mission to prevent a potentially very dangerous situation from occurring across the USA. He's working to stop a deadly computer virus from wiping the entirety of the United States computer system. However, he is facing a couple of issues along the way. The first, he is taking medication for an existing medical condition that partially impairs his mental well being. Secondly, the person who could help stop the virus completely is shot dead early into the book!

It was a fabulous read, and it really did feel like a situation that could happen. The characters were realistic and quite likeable. What I loved about the audiobook, was that the final chapter, the president's address to the nation at the end of the crisis, was then repeated. I was a bit confused at first as to what the hell was going on. Until I realised that it was an actual president reading the address out! A very nice touch.

For a second James Patterson novel, I was very impressed again!

The second book is a complete contrast. It's one of those biographies with life lessons interwoven into it. To give it it's full title "The Winning Formula: Leadership, Motivation, Strategy the F1 Way" written by one of my favourite F1 Drivers, David Coulthard.

I'm not really sure what to write about this book. I really enjoyed it, and it gives a very good insight into the world of Formula One racing, both on and off the track. The book is split down into specific topic chapters focusing on certain areas of Leadership, Strategy and Motivation, giving examples of how it is implemented into F1, and then giving the reader the same mindset to implement into 21st Century life.

What I didn't like about it, was how much it sings Red Bull Racing's praises. I loathe Red Bull, they're the Karen's of F1 and I could think of much better examples he could've used. But then I guess, DC did drive for them for a while. But I'd much rather have had more on McLaren who he drove for for 9 years!

It was interesting to read about DC's early life and his route into F1. Whereas nowadays all you need to do is grope women and have a very wealthy daddy to buy you a team. DC got there through sheer grit, determination and talent. It was tragic circumstances that bought him into the F1 fold however with the death of Senna in 1994. I genuinely didn't realise he had been in the sport for that long.

So that's the next two books, and it takes me over the magical 50 book mark for the year. Not bad for the end of May!

The President is Missing: 4.5cm

The Winning Formula: 2.5cm

Total Read so far: 50 Books, 150.5cm

Total left to read: 42.5cm