62 pages • 2-hour read
The President is Missing
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Background
Authorial Context: Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton was born in 1968 and trained as a lawyer before serving as the Arkansas state attorney general and then governor. He was elected as the 42nd president of the United States in 1992 and assumed office on January 20, 1993. Clinton was reelected for a second term in 1996.
In early 1998, it came to light that Clinton had engaged in a sexual relationship with White House intern Monica Lewinsky; the scandal around these allegations and Clinton’s response significantly impacted perceptions of his leadership. In December 1998, Clinton was impeached by the House of Representatives (the lower house of the US Congress). This made him the second US president to be impeached and the first in more than 100 years (after Andrew Jackson in 1868).
However, Clinton was not removed from office: In January 1999, his impeachment trial began in the Senate, and he was acquitted of charges related to perjury and obstruction of justice. He remained in office until 2001. These experiences of impeachment are reflected in the plot of The President Is Missing, in which President Duncan faces impending impeachment based on false allegations.
Clinton was the leader of the Democratic Party but focused on a “third-way” approach to government, in which he tried to moderate and avoid rigid divides between the interests and ideologies of both the Democratic and Republican Parties. This important characteristic is also embedded in the novel, as Duncan repeatedly urges individuals to set aside sectarian tensions and focus on loyalty and patriotism.
Cultural Context: Georgia and Abkhazia
Georgia is a country on the coast of the Black Sea, bordered by Russia, Turkey, Armenia, and Azerbaijan. Georgia achieved independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. “Abkhazia” refers to a contested region that most countries do not recognize as an independent state and consider to be part of Georgia. Some countries, notably Russia, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Nauru, and Syria, have recognized Abkhazia as an independent state.
During the period when Georgia was part of the Soviet Union, Abkhazia achieved a significant amount of autonomy. Many Abkhazians did not support the movement for Georgian independence due to fears of lessened autonomy for their region. After Georgia achieved the status of an independent country in 1991, Georgian forces and Abkhaz separatist forces fought in a war from 1992 to 1993.
The conflict led to a loss of Georgian control over significant amounts of Abkhazi territory and the conflicted status of this region. In 2008, Abkhazi separatists fought with Russian support, leading to Georgia declaring this region to be Russian-occupied territory. The clashes between a newly independent Georgia and Abkhazi separatists took place during President Clinton’s first term in office.
The plot of The President Is Missing reflects this context because Nina is eventually revealed to be an Abkhazi separatist and is considered a terrorist by the Georgian government. She plans to barter the secret to deactivating the virus in exchange for a pardon and permission to return home. The password that deactivates the virus, “Sukhumi,” refers to a major city in the disputed Abkhazi region.
Unlock all 62 pages of this Study Guide
Get in-depth, chapter-by-chapter summaries and analysis from our literary experts.
- Grasp challenging concepts with clear, comprehensive explanations
- Revisit key plot points and ideas without rereading the book
- Share impressive insights in classes and book clubs