The System Audiobook By Barry Eisler cover art

The System

A Novel of the Deep State

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The System

By: Barry Eisler
Narrated by: Barry Eisler
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About this listen

A riveting exposé of the inner workings of American power—as gripping as House of Cards and as fraught with personal dynamics as The Diplomat.

Valeria Velez has just pulled off a stunning upset in California's 27th District, ousting ten-term corporatist incumbent Fillian Dunne from his seat in Congress. Young, beautiful, and idealistic, Valeria and her boyfriend/campaign manager Preston Jante are determined to use Valeria's new position to "stop stuffing the maw of the military machine" and return power to the people. But when fugitive hacker Lance Thaddeus uncovers a top-secret Pentagon program combining artificial intelligence with nuclear command-and-control, Valeria might have to choose between her ideals...and her life.

And even while trying to navigate the unfamiliar pathways and temptations of American power, Valeria will have to contend with a mother still frozen by bitterness about the past, a brother jealous of Valeria's future, and the ghost of the father who abandoned them all and then died before Valeria could even begin to understand his reasons.

But as Valeria will discover, in the world she has entered, personal and political can be meaningless distinctions. There are no solutions, only trade-offs, and as Valeria negotiates with the factions holding real power in America—Wall Street, the Pentagon, Silicon Valley—the lines between compromise and capitulation, savvy and sell-out, player and played, become increasingly hard to see, with ultimate stakes not just for Valeria, but for the very future of constitutional democracy in America.

©2025 Barry Eisler (P)2025 Barry Eisler
Genre Fiction Political World Literature Inspiring
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I always enjoy Barry Eisler's work. This was no exception in that the story did not hold back. it was detailed,well researched and exciting.
Clearly it was well written because I found the main character,Valeria very unlikeable. I continued to read
just the same. It was very tough because on one hand I wanted her political views to be given weight but it was tough because I disliked her so much.
This is weird because Eisler's other female characters are inspiring eventhough some are assassins.

Another Excellent Book

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As a reader who has no first-hand experience with the insider’s view of governance this novel felt real and lined up with my outsider’s view. Eisler always puts his readers right into the mind of his characters which makes for a visceral experience. Unlike the John Rain series (which are phenomenal in their own way) this one hits home deeply because is where I live, the USA. These characters, this culture, these institutions are home. It’s frightening and inspirational at the same time. Would that right, left, and

Realism and relevance to right now in 2025 is stunning.

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I generally like Barry Eisler's books, but this one was one of my favorites. The main character is a bad ass in her own way and just like all of Barry's books, all the charactersbwere well developed and easy to relate to and either like or hate. I hope this is or will be a series!!

LOVED THIS BOOK!

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Ok first yes I am a huge Rain universe fan and Barry is a fantastic reader/ writer.
The System could be in the Rainaverse but honestly it stands alone Beautifully.
As with all the books Character is everything. There were scumbag and heros. We even had a magical fellow on spectrum. Plot was engaging and well done. The verbal sparring was like watching a fantastically intense boxing match ( if you know you know!)
Yes we will be needing more of these characters or hell let’s have Livia Lone join forces and sort that speaker out! You know that dude has some skeletons! I know I am over the top. This was a great read. Great tone and payoffs. You really find yourself cheering for the underdogs. Loved it. So definitely we need more VAL!

We need more Val

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I love Barry Eisler’s books I have read all of them. His narration is excellent! I really enjoy that he does his own. The story is excellent. He does a great job of describing where the power is and how so many politicians get corrupted. 5+

Barry Eisler does it again

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I always look forward to Barry Eisler’s books, and his narration is top notch. This book was a departure from his John Rain thrillers, but equally as thrilling. He introduces some excellent new characters I hope to see again. The book had a great pace and plenty of excitement. Eisler has yet to disappoint!

Loved the characters

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I am a huge fan of the author. I like where he was going with this new version, but found some of the story a little bit too predictable. I’m very much enjoyed the incomplete story in the twist at the end.

Another hit from Barry Eisler

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I’m not sure a dry non fiction account of the deep state and the realities facing idealistic politicians could have explained things any better. Is there a real Catch 22 or is it always the suborning of ideals? I think Eisler answers it. And side note: he’s equally as good at the narration as the writing. He should narrate more.

Complex ideas dispersed in a simple not simplistic narrative. Love his work.

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I started out feeling curious but slightly ambivalent, as the story progressed, I started to feel unsettled, by the time I finished I felt deeply frightened, because, towards the end I listened to a podcast by Steven Bartlett interviewing Geoffrey Hinton, the Godfather of AI. This story by Barry Eisler puts into perspective the mountain, we as ordinary people are going to have to climb to hold our politicians to account. He has given us a taste of the kind of person that we will need to fight a huge, very frightening, clear & present danger.

Excellent

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Amazing characters and a fun ride as a story. Keep ‘em coming Barry. You’re the best.

Another tremendous book from Barry Eisler

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