The ramifications of trying to be a savior to the people and then falling in to the same traps as your predecessors was one of the themes within the 1946 book, All the King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren. Willie Stark goes from country hick to idealistic lawyer to candidate for governor, which on his second time around, wins. The narrator of the story is the journalist (Jack Burden) who catches wind of the rapid ascent during his first run for office and then later works for Stark. Intertwined in the story is the “burden” Jack and others carry when Stark changes dramatically and face his turncoat ways. Burden’s first love, her brother, and uncle all get wrapped in Stark’s web of becoming “Hitleresque” in running the state. Actions having lasting consequences comes back to haunt Anne Stanton, her uncle, and of course Stark. No one can escape the ascent of a little power.
This is an oldie, but goodie. The book was a hit movie in its day, and remade just a few years ago (I guess that’s one way to say it is standing the test of time.). Political stories, aka John Grisham, still have staying power. Will take more than one sitting to finish this one.
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