The Politician, Andrew Young
The Politician, Andrew Young
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The Politician
An Insider's Account of John Edwards's Pursuit of the Presidency and the Scandal That Brought Him Down

Author: Andrew Young

Narrator: Kevin Foley

Unabridged: 11 hr 22 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 02/15/2010


Synopsis

Like a nonfiction version of All the King's Men, The Politician offers a truly disturbing, even shocking, perspective on the risks taken and tactics employed by a man determined to rule the most powerful nation on earth.

Idealistic and ambitious, Andrew Young volunteered for the John Edwards campaign for Senate in 1998 and quickly became the candidate's right-hand man. As the senator became a national star, Young's responsibilities grew. For a decade he was this politician's confidant, and he was assured he was "like family." In time, however, Young was drawn into a series of questionable assignments that culminated with Edwards asking him to help conceal the senator's ongoing adultery. Days before the 2008 presidential primaries began, Young gained international notoriety when he told the world that he was the father of a child being carried by a woman named Rielle Hunter, who was actually the senator's mistress. While Young began a life on the run, hiding from the press with his family and alleged mistress, John Edwards continued to pursue the presidency and then the vice presidency in the future Obama administration.

Young had been the senator's closest aide and most trusted friend. He believed that John Edwards could be a great president and was assured throughout the cover-up that his boss and friend would ultimately step forward to both tell the truth and protect his aide's career. Neither promise was kept.

Not only is The Politician a moving personal account of Andrew Young's political education, but it also offers a look at the trajectory that made John Edwards the ideal Democratic candidate for president and the hubris that brought him down, leaving his career, his marriage, and his dreams in ashes.

About Andrew Young

After earning a bachelor's degree at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a law degree at the Wake Forest University School of Law, Andrew Young served as a volunteer for John Edwards's winning campaign for U.S. Senate. Hired in 1999, Young became Edwards's longest serving and most trusted aide. He raised more than $10 million for the politician's various causes and played a key role in Edwards's efforts to become president of the United States. Now a private citizen, he lives in Chapel Hill with his wife, Cheri, and their three children.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Bill on July 09, 2019

I read this book as a penance: I donated to the Edwards presidential campaign, and I wanted to know how vile the man was who persuaded me to send him money. Pretty vile, it turns out. Viler than the fellow that wrote the book? I wouldn't be willing to bet on it. I feel about this book similarly to ho......more

Goodreads review by Nicholas on January 16, 2012

Absolutely riveting. When you read this book, you will come to see John Edwards as a narcissistic, selfish, deceitful, greedy, power-hungry man who lost his way. You will come to view Elizabeth Edwards as power-hungry, controlling, and often ill-tempered. Andrew Young -- maybe it's his tone -- comes......more

Goodreads review by Julie on February 06, 2010

John Edwards is a creep. I found Andrew Young to be believable, but did question a couple of items. I just can't believe he and his wife went along with such a crazy charade. It goes to show you what some people will do for power or to be close to someone in power. I just don’t understand how he cou......more

Goodreads review by Peter on April 12, 2013

A descent to the gates of Hell, it reads almost like a Grisham novel. "Get out," I urged at numerous places in Young's saga. Gotta go take a shower now.......more

Goodreads review by Adrenalynn on May 28, 2011

I couldn't put this book down. After reading "Game Change" I had to get to know more about what exactly happened to John Edwards that caused this downward spiral in his career & life. I thought I would really dislike John Edwards, but the person I most disliked immensely was his wife. Maybe it was a......more