The Politician by Andrew Young (#17)

This is a fascinating book. The author, Andrew Young, went to work for John Edwards more than 10 years ago, becoming very close to him and his family, assisting Edwards in his campaigns for Senate and for the Presidency, becoming best friends. For many years Young was full of optimism that Edwards was a sincere politician with the best interests of the public, especially the poor and struggling, at heart. As time went on, it became apparent that fame and adulation had changed Edwards and his wife so that they forgot the people around them and became self focused. Most distressing was when Young realized that Edwards was making fool hearty and dangerous personal decisions, beginning a liaison with a younger and uncontrollable woman while his wife reportedly had terminal cancer. Young was asked to cover this problem in a way that should never have been asked by anyone. I recommend this book. I am reminded that we cannot trust anyone, and those in public life must be scrutinized very closely because fame corrupts.