by David Frum
First published 2012
Walter Schotzke never wanted to live up to his war hero father's legacy. The mustard fortune heir gets kicked out of boarding schools and drifts through life until his grandmother forces him into a senator's office. She hopes political service might give her worthless grandson some purpose. Walter discovers he has a talent for the corrupt side of Washington. Radio hosts, lobbyists, and cable news personalities become his teachers in manipulation and fear mongering. While America suffers through economic depression and war, Walter learns to profit from public anger and resentment. The country's first black president has lost reelection, and the new administration faces internal sabotage. Walter gets swept into a populist movement that threatens to consume everything. He must choose between the easy money of political corruption and something resembling genuine service to his country.
Genres: satire, american-fiction, 21st-century, political-thriller
Vibes: suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, fish-out-of-water
Setting: Washington, America
Period: Economic Depression, War
484 pages · Paperback · Shreve Williams