Are there limits to political ambition? Missouri Governor William Bryce is about to find out. After narrowly missing his party's presidential nomination, Bryce becomes consumed with his quest for the presidency. For him it is the presidency, or nothing. As Bryce prepares to run again, his secret threatens to make him unelectable. A business consortium also sets its sights high and sees Bryce and his political future as its shot at unheard of profits. They know Bryce's secret and can bury it, but will do so on two conditions. The terrible second condition will test Bryce, and make it clear exactly what he would be willing to give for the presidency.The Second Condition is a novel of ambition and alliances, betrayal and redemption. As in today's political world, the politicians, the criminals, the press and the law all do their jobs as they see them, with success in the eye of the beholder.