The System

A Novel of the Deep State

De: Barry Eisler

Narrado por: Barry Eisler

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

The author has made a listening beast out of me. I wish I could give this Audiobook 10 stars.

This book is exactly what you would expect from one of the best authors in the industry. It is a great book with political insights. Eisner is a great writer and an excellent narrator. How many gifts does this guy have that he is so good at?

Barry Eisler never fails to deliver with poignant quotes and a seamless process through the pages of his stories.

I do think the representative is a little sluttish, but I respect her and I like her, so if there’s a sequel, I will definitely buy both the audiobook and the book. I’ve listened to some chapters twice because they were so good. I told the customer about this book today, and I am purchasing the e-book or novel next week.

I have many Eisler’s books, but this one is a little different, and I love❤️ it. I guess instead of happening in Tokyo, it happened in the United States, and it’s the right book for the right climate we are in now. 😍

Realism and relevance to right now in 2025 is stunning.

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

I miss John Rain

Great story telling, no surprise from Eisler. Intricate, well thought political novel; not what I was expecting from Eisler given hos previous books; but a pretty good book for those who enjoy policits, politicians drama.

Another Excellent Book

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.

LOVED THIS BOOK!

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!!

We need more Val

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!

Another hit from Barry Eisler

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.

Loved the characters

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!

Barry Eisler does it again

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+

Draining the Swamp

No more insightful author exists on politics, the spin-doctoring of the American people, and the threat of the deep state to both the country, but also to democracy. This is a classic example of a politician who has wide aspirations of how she can change the lives of her constituents, as well as the nation, if given enough time. Here, though, reality smacks her clearly and violently in the face. As anyone even vaguely familiar with politics knows, for every person who supports one notion, there is an equal and opposite person who opposes such action- usually with even more vehemence. When our main character sees behind the curtain, she is fairly horrified at how the sausage is made. In true Eisler fashion, though, a comeuppance is due! I really wanted Dox, Rain, Larison, or even Manus to deliver that retribution, but Eisler keeps this as a stand-alone, and the novel is certainly able to stand on its own. While the lead character is a strong edition to the Eisler universe, I feel like Monty is the true gem of this novel. His insights highlight both the b.s. and fluff that is so intertwined into politics while still providing a clear and direct message with each an every sentence.