Mary Ann Tierney is 15 years old. Within days her name will be known to millions across America, her court case a television must-watch for everyone from the President downwards. As Mary Ann takes on her own parents and the constitutional law of the United States in a desperate bid to protect her future right to bear children, the ramifications of "the Tierney case" bring a threat to the new President, Kerry Kilcannon, to his nominee for Chief Justice, Caroline Masters, and to his main rival for the Presidency, Senator Chad Palmer. All have dangerous secrets in their past, secrets that would not only threaten careers, but bring death and tragedy to innocent lives.
'Protect and Defend' is a tense, moving account of the tangled moral issues at the heart of the most difficult decision a woman has to make. It plays out the terrible consequences when the media takes people's private lives and turns them into public entertainment.
Modern fairytale? You decide. It's got a politician with integrity.
Fast paced courtroom drama that puts a young & very human face on the pro-Life vs pro-Choice debate in the USA. Subject sounds sort of boring? Maybe even in poor taste? You couldn't be more wrong. It doesn't matter which side of the debate you sit on, this book is an absolute page-turner. I did it in a single sitting despite the size. The author has bent over backward to try & give a balanced approach to both sides of the argument but the pro-Choice characters are generally more believable and sympathetic. Maybe this indicates personal views or maybe it results from the lack of input from the pro-Life side (he invited participation & they declined). Fanatics on both sides of the fence are shown for what they are. Anyway, the focus on balanced argument cost some character development I think. Added to the courtroom drama is a top-level political backdrop. Also compelling reading although there was one aspect I thought unrealistic. Can anyone really believe in a politician who does what he thinks is right EVEN at the expense of votes?
Natalie, 11/12/2008
