In Colt Donaldson’s How to Kill a President?, family, ambition, and history intertwine to create a narrative that is as much about personal survival as it is about the shaping of a nation. The account of the Barclay Building, designed by Uncle Stockton in 1905, becomes more than an architectural achievement—it emerges as a symbol of opportunity, ambition, and the Colt family’s evolving legacy in New York City.
By the 1930s, the Barclay Building was the hub of New York Telephone, a fortress of communication and power. Grandpop, ever pragmatic and deeply invested in protecting his family from the escalating gang wars plaguing the city, saw the building as an escape route for the next generation. He urged Uncle Johnny to secure a position for one of his sons, steering them away from the violent streets and into an institution that promised stability. This pragmatic decision laid the groundwork for Cousin Walter’s transformation—from a youth on the periphery of chaos to a man who would later find his calling as a detective.
Walter’s position in the Telephone Exchange was not merely clerical. As a night-shift technician, he had unprecedented access to sensitive communications. The story unfurls with rich detail, capturing how Walter learned to gather names, numbers, and even listen in on the most guarded conversations of political leaders and crime bosses. The subtle click of a capacitive lead as he tapped into ongoing calls is described with both tension and humor, reminding readers that even the most powerful figures—like Lucky Luciano or Meyer Lansky—remained vulnerable to unseen eyes and ears.
Donaldson masterfully uses this vignette to reflect broader themes central to his novel: the blurred lines between morality and necessity, the intoxicating pull of ambition, and the ways individuals manipulate their circumstances to carve out a future. Walter’s rise from telephone trainee to keeper of secrets is a testament to the Colt family’s resilience, ingenuity, and ability to adapt within shifting historical currents.
The author’s vision for How to Kill a President? shines through this tale. At its heart, the book is not merely about political conspiracies or the mechanics of power; it is about family legacies, survival in hostile environments, and the relentless human drive to matter in the face of systemic corruption. The Colt family story weaves ambition with vulnerability, reminding readers of the sacrifices ordinary men and women make against the backdrop of extraordinary times.
From the Vietnam War’s brutal toll on Peter Colt to Donald’s struggles in 1960s and 1970s New York, the novel situates deeply personal stories against sweeping historical events. In the account of Walter’s time at the Barclay Building, readers glimpse the delicate balance between survival and ambition—a theme that reverberates throughout Donaldson’s layered narrative. It is this interplay between intimate family dynamics and larger political intrigue that makes the novel so captivating.
Donaldson’s writing style blends vivid historical references with introspective storytelling, allowing readers to step into smoky telephone rooms, hear the hum of switchboards, and sense the unease of men who knew too much. The Barclay Building is not just a structure; it is a stage where ambition, secrecy, and destiny converge.
How to Kill a President? ultimately invites readers to reflect on their own definitions of legacy and power. Through the Colts’ journey, Donaldson suggests that history is not merely shaped by presidents and generals but by families, technicians, and dreamers who maneuver in the shadows.
