The Man – The Little Remembered Story Of America’s First Black President

The Man by Irving Wallace: A Visionary Novel of Its Time

The first “adult book” I ever read was The Man by Irving Wallace. It’s a sprawling 788-page novel, written in 1964, about the first African-American President of the United States. Recently, I decided to reread it. In 1964, the idea of America having a Black president seemed radical and far-fetched. In 2008, many Americans were surprised that Barack Obama’s race didn’t seem significant for most voters. I wondered, after witnessing the election of Obama and the campaign of Kamala Harris, how The Man would read today.

I inherited a love of reading from my mother. By the time I was in fourth grade, I was already reading at nearly a high-school level. My mother loved big, popular novels and enjoyed discussing them with her friends. That’s how I first learned about The Man. Irving Wallace was a prolific writer known for novels that often tackled controversial or thought-provoking themes, blending fact with fiction. While his books were almost always bestsellers, critics usually didn’t consider them great literature. Still, Wallace had a genius for creating fascinating plots touching hot-button issues like sexuality, race, religion, and societal taboos.

The Man reflects Wallace’s fascination with politics, human nature, and social change. As the son of Jewish immigrants, Wallace cared deeply about civil rights and social justice. His skill lay in combining extensive, detailed research with interesting and relatable characters, making his works accessible to a broad audience.

The Man By Irving Wallace – Daring Plot

The novel tells the story of Douglass Dilman, a quiet and self-conscious Black senator who unexpectedly becomes the President of the United States. Dilman, a senator from an unnamed Midwestern state (likely based on Michigan), is elevated to President Pro Tem of the Senate—a ceremonial position. After the sudden death of the Vice President and the tragic death of the President, TC, in a Berlin accident alongside the Speaker of the House, Dilman ascends to the presidency.

How Does It Read Today?

The thought of an African-American president in 1964 was daring and outlandish. Wallace treats the main character with respect and sensitivity.

Upon rereading, I was struck by how Wallace anticipated certain future events. The book is set during the civil rights struggle and the space program era, but no specific year is mentioned. Wallace began working on the book before JFK was assassinated, and though TC is never named, he is clearly based on Kennedy. The fictional timeline Wallace created to explain Dilman’s presidency is fascinating. LBJ’s presidency followed JFK’s assassination in 1963, succeeded by “The Judge” (clearly based on Truman). If we assume both Johnson and The Judge served one term, Dilman would have taken office around 1973 or 1974.

The Danger Of Writing Speculative History

Wallace could not, of course, foresee significant events like the Vietnam War, the moon landing, or Watergate, which makes sense, given they hadn’t happened yet. This isn’t a criticism but rather an observation about the challenge of writing speculative history. Dilman’s presidency reflects 1964-era concerns before the Voting Rights Act and the Civil Rights Act became law.

The Man by Irving Wallace – A Document To Its Time

Initially, Dilman is a passive figure, unsure of his place in a predominantly white political world. But as he faces scrutiny and prejudice from the public and government alike, he gradually gains confidence and asserts his authority. His journey mirrors the rising sense of Black pride and consciousness of the 1960s, capturing the struggle for equality and recognition in a racially divided society.

Some of Wallace’s depictions of political issues remain vivid. In one subplot, Dilman faces a crisis in Africa, with rebels supported by a Russian leader obviously based on Khrushchev. This appears to echo the Cuban Missile Crisis but relocates the conflict to Africa, adding a racial dimension to the question of whether an African-American president would handle the situation differently than a white president like TC.

It’s essential to recognize the limitations of Wallace’s perspective. Some discussions in The Man about the race struggle, especially around skin color and “passing,” feel outdated, even for their time. At one point, President Dilman faced impeachment for violating a law modeled after the Tenure of Office Act, echoing Andrew Johnson’s impeachment. Wallace also introduces the tired trope of a Southern blonde woman falsely accusing a Black man of attempted rape, drawing comparisons to To Kill a Mockingbird, published only four years earlier. Ultimately, Dilman survives impeachment by one vote, just like Andrew Johnson.

Strengths Of The Man

You might think the novel feels uninteresting or outdated—but that’s not quite the case. Yes, it is a product of its time, aimed at a large readership of average Americans. The plotline about the President being falsely accused of sexual impropriety, despite its luridness, foreshadows the real-life scandals surrounding Bill Clinton and Donald Trump.

Wallace’s excellent research makes The Man stand out, especially regarding the impeachment process. Before Bill Clinton, Andrew Johnson was the only President to be impeached, so few Americans knew much about the process. I recall surprising my history teachers in school with my knowledge of impeachment, all thanks to this book.

Literarily, The Man is a blend of political thriller and social commentary, typical of Wallace’s sprawling, epic style. Wallace’s detailed character development makes Dilman a sympathetic and complex figure. The pacing and suspense keep readers engaged, while its exploration of power, identity, and prejudice adds depth. Wallace masterfully intertwines the personal with the political, making The Man a compelling narrative of one man’s journey in a racially tense society.

Limitations

That said, some parts feel dated. The way Dilman becomes President through an improbable series of events highlights the speculative nature of the story. Unlike Dilman’s reluctant rise to power, Barack Obama’s election resulted from a deliberate and historic campaign supported by a diverse coalition. And with Kamala Harris now seeking the presidency, race, while still a consideration, is no longer the defining issue it once was.

The contrast between Wallace’s world and today’s reality shows both the foresight and the limitations of The Man. Wallace anticipated a future where racial barriers could be broken but highlighted the profound challenges of the mid-20th century. While the themes of prejudice and power struggles remain relevant, America has since moved forward. The Man stands as a testament to its era and a reminder of the progress we’ve made.

Exciting, fascinating, and forward-thinking, Irving Wallace’s The Man is an important cultural artifact that captured the hopes and fears of its time. While a product of the 1960s, its exploration of power, race, and identity still resonates today. For those interested in how fiction can reflect and shape societal change, it remains a compelling read.

BONUS: Click here to watch for free a really bad movie version of the film! James Earl Jones stars in the film, and he is terrific. There are some very good supporting actors and a script by Rod Serling. However, the 1972 movie was what James Earl Jones always considered a missed opportunity, because it dropped most of the more interesting subplots in the book.