Having emerged from two days with Navy Expeditionary Combat
Command, I guess I'll have to play catch-up on the novels
issue.
If we're violating the 25-year rule, there's absolutely no
contest: Flashman at the Charge by George MacDonald
Fraser (1973) is simply the best novel I've ever read, of any
vintage.
Should we return to the original premise, I've got to nominate
Christopher Buckley's The White House Mess (1986). I've
given so many copies as gifts I regrettably -- very regrettably --
no longer even own a copy.