"The Man" by Irving Wallace Is as Relevant as Ever

I believe it was in Civics class my freshman year that we were assigned to read The Man by Irving Wallace. Though I didn't know it at the time, Wallace was a bestselling author most notable for his political fiction. This novel, published in 1964, made such impression on me  that I recall the story and some of its scenes to this day. To a certain extent it has served as a lens through which I view the political games played in Washington D.C., and why so many of us are suspicious of the media's motives or reliability,

The central character is Douglas Dilman, a quiet and unassuming President pro tempore of the Senate who finds himself thrust into the highest office in the land after a series of unforeseen events leads to the sudden deaths of the President and Vice President. By default Dllman, for better or worse, becomes the first African American President of the United States. From the outset he faces unprecedented challenges, both from within the political establishment and the society at large.

Dilman is a reluctant leader who becomes a symbol of hope and change. Kermit Madigan, his chief antagonist, is a Senator who represents the old guard and embodies the entrenched prejudices, deep-seated racism and resistance to change that Dilman must confront. (EdNote: The book came out the year after Dr. Martin Luther King's March on Washington and before the assassinations of Malcolm X, Dr. King and Bobby Kennedy.

There are also a diverse array of secondary characters, each representing different facets of American society, from loyal aides and family members to political adversaries and ordinary citizens.

What remains fresh in my mind are the lengths to which President Dilman's enemies will go to discredit his character, including fabricating a bogus rape charge.  And the media goes right along with it, amplifying every aspect of this preposterous story.  

Wallace highlights the harsh realities of racism in America. Through Dilman's experiences, he hammers home the societal attitudes that African Americans have faced, both in politics and everyday life.

The novel examines the nature of power and the burdens of leadership. Dilman's ascent to the presidency forces him to confront his own doubts and insecurities, while also dealing with the expectations and prejudices of others. (I'm curious what kinds of doubts and insecurities President Biden and former president Trump wrestle with at the end of the day when they kick off their shoes.)

The Man underscores the potential for change and progress in society. Dilman's presidency, though fictional, serves as a beacon of hope and a reminder that progress is possible, even in the face of overwhelming odds. I'm curious how many of our 1960's classmates imagined that we would see a black president in our lifetimes,

I remember the book being engaging and accessible. Complex political scenarios and social issues were understandable and compelling. His writing kept me hooked  from start to finish, though I was too young to appreciate how he achieved this effect. I only know that it made an impact on me and I've had it come to mind numerous times while following Beltway politics over the years.

What books did you read in school that have remained relevant for you or opened your eyes in one way or another?

WikiLeaks, Julian Assange and Irving Wallace's The Man

One of the most powerful and compelling books that I remember having to read in high school was The Man by Irving Wallace. The dramatic novel gives an inside look at the high stakes political action inside the Beltway. It is the story of Douglas Dilman, the first black man to become president, in this case through fluke in that the president is killed in a freak accident overseas while the vice presidency is vacant. Through the laws of succession Senator Dilman rises to the Oval Office.

Being president is challenge enough, but being a black president in a highly bigoted culture is an even greater burden. And it isn't long before those who are out to get him set him up.

SPOILER ALERT

Much of the tension revolves around an incident in which Dilman is accused of assaulting a white woman. It's a setup job, but it shows the extremes to which the bad guys will go to get him out of office, to muffle his voice, to trash his character.

The media, too, get on board, relishing the opportunity to have a story. There are smears and sneers and jeers, and (I don't remember them but undoubtedly) a few tears.

Fast forward, 2010.

If WikiLeaks is not the biggest story of 2010, it certainly has to rank high on the list of big stories. I do not know enough about Julian Assange to call him good or evil and have not done my due diligence in dissecting the ethics of what he's been doing. I only know that when the latest charges were brought up, the allegations of rape, Irving Wallace's novel came to mind.

The irony is that as Assange brings to light documents that put our government officials in a bad light, journalists are shining a light on Assange that puts his own character in a bad light. At the end of the day one wonders, where are the heroes here? But then, as with President Dilman, what if there were no sex crimes committed at all?

These are high stakes games being played and who among us even knows what the truth is. Except that we know there's a lot of fog and obfuscation out there right now. White noise and a ball of confusion.

Just thinking out loud. What a long strange trip it's been.