First published 1990
The novel follows a powerful congressman whose political empire crumbles after thirty-five years in Washington. Barry places readers inside the final months of this career politician's reign, as scandals surface and allies abandon ship. The protagonist faces mounting investigations while desperately trying to salvage his reputation and influence. Behind closed doors, he schemes to protect his legacy even as the press circles and fellow lawmakers distance themselves. The story captures the brutal mechanics of political downfall, showing how quickly power can evaporate in the nation's capital. Barry examines the personal cost of public disgrace, revealing a man who built his identity around congressional authority only to watch it dissolve. The narrative explores the gap between public service ideals and private ambition, following the protagonist as he confronts the end of everything he worked to build.
Genres: american-fiction, contemporary, 21st-century, political-thriller
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: downfall, public-disgrace
784 pages · Paperback · Penguin Books