This is generally considered a roman à clef of the vicious 1950 Democratic primary campaign for the United States Senate seat held by Frank Porter Graham. The action is centered in the state capital where Bill Tucker, a political operative, works maniacally to tip the election away from the moderate candidate. Tucker’s candidate, Colonel Harvey Pollock, lost the initial primary to the incumbent despite possessing the advantages of a good family name, a wealthy, attractive wife, and a substantial campaign chest. Now it’s the run-off primary and Tucker wants to pull out all the stops to win. When the book opens, Tucker is no Boy Scout, but as he masters dirty dealing and race baiting in his pursuit of victory, he goes past the point of no return. Tucker’s man wins the election, but Tucker has lost his moral compass, the woman he loves, and his future.
Check this title’s availability in the UNC-Chapel Hill Library catalog.
