The Politician

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The underside of modern American politics—raw ambition, manipulation, and deception—is vividly revealed in Andrew Young’s gripping account of a presidential hopeful’s rise and fall. This narrative, akin to a non-fiction version of All the King’s Men, provides a disturbing perspective on the risks and tactics employed by a man determined to lead the most powerful nation. Young, who volunteered for John Edwards's Senate campaign in 1998, quickly became the candidate’s right-hand man and confidant. As Edwards gained national prominence, Young's responsibilities expanded, and he was assured he was ‘like family.’ However, he soon found himself embroiled in questionable assignments, culminating in a request to help conceal the senator’s ongoing affair. Just before the 2008 presidential primaries, Young gained notoriety by claiming paternity of a child carried by Rielle Hunter, Edwards's mistress. While Young went into hiding with his family, Edwards continued his political ambitions. Young, who believed in Edwards's potential as a great president, was ultimately let down when promises of truth and career protection were broken. This personal account not only chronicles Young’s political education but also examines the trajectory that made Edwards a leading Democratic candidate and the hubris that led to his downfall, leaving his career and dreams in ruins.