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Irving Wallace

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The Man Paperback – January 1, 1999

by Irving Wallace (Author)

513 ratings

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America's first elected black president faces enormous pressures, including impeachment proceedings, soon after he takes his place in the oval office. Reprint.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Ibooks
Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 1, 1999
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 751 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 067103894X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0671038946
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.85 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 2 x 9.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #2,539,049 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #90,022 in Historical Fiction (Books)

Customer Reviews:
513 ratings

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Customer reviews

513 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book an amazing read with valuable thought-provoking content and a fascinating novel with great plot twists. The writing is well-executed, and they appreciate the excellent character development and racial content, with one customer noting it provides a look at race relations. The pacing receives mixed reactions, with some finding it absolutely riveting while others say it starts slow. While the book is well-written, some customers note it feels somewhat dated.

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Readability Thought provoking Story quality Writing quality Character development Racial content Pacing Dated content

57 customers mention "Readability"57 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as an amazing and interesting read that brings back memories, with one customer noting it serves as an excellent primer.

"...Fine literature, however, transcends the era in which it was written and speaks to its audience in any decade...." Read more

"...on how far we have come in acceptance of our fellow man. A totally enjoyable read." Read more

"...Excellent book written before it's time." Read more

"...I found the book exciting, insightful, compassionate, and very hard to put down...." Read more

35 customers mention "Thought provoking"35 positive0 negative

Customers find the book thought-provoking, describing it as fascinating and enlightening, with one customer noting how it captures and educates the reader.

"...though we are now in the 21st century, and the political machinations seem timely and believable, based on what we read in the news about our..." Read more

"An enlightening view of what may have happened...but even more reflection on how far we have come in acceptance of our fellow man...." Read more

"...While this book was published in 1966, it did not feel dated (other than I recognized the events as being of that time period)...." Read more

"...It also gave you a lot of history on how the office of the President is run and all the ins and outs of the Senators and the Constitution...." Read more

29 customers mention "Story quality"29 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's story compelling with great plot twists, making it a fascinating historical fiction novel. One customer notes that the author has researched the storyline with in-depth detail.

"...I found The Word to be a painstakingly researched, very topical novel even after having been written so long ago. But The Man?..." Read more

"It's a great Irving Wallace story. I purchased a used copy." Read more

"Loved this story...." Read more

"...A dramatic, fascinating novel!" Read more

21 customers mention "Writing quality"21 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, finding it well composed, with one customer noting its authentic presentation.

"...The Man is magnificent, and it deserves two things: to be read by modern audiences and to be filmed by a dynamic filmmaker who can give it the..." Read more

"With singular focus and clarity, Irving Wallace guides readers through the nuances of the presidential succession while simultaneously addressing..." Read more

"...Enjoy. Irving Wallace was a very detailed writer and wanted his readers to understand every minute point. Carol" Read more

"...yes, but our human tendencies toward intolerance, is well-understood by the author. A dramatic, fascinating novel!" Read more

7 customers mention "Character development"7 positive0 negative

Customers praise the character development in the book.

"...The Man is magnificent, and it deserves two things: to be read by modern audiences and to be filmed by a dynamic filmmaker who can give it the..." Read more

"...me proud of our country because there are so many strong, courageous people of character..." Read more

"...It went into depth on his character and how he dealt with people who worked under him and who tried to undermine him...." Read more

"...of time to giving the reader an in-depth background and understanding of the characters, and it helped me to appreciate the various plot twists and..." Read more

5 customers mention "Racial content"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the racial content of the book, with one review highlighting its portrayal of race relations, while another notes how racism is dramatized for effect.

"...The racism in the story is dramatized for effect, yes, but our human tendencies toward intolerance, is well-understood by the author...." Read more

"...Quite a look at race relations and commentary about that era. There are also some interesting facts about women and employment...." Read more

"...I. Wallace covers the racial situation extremely well: not only the facts-but also the emotions one feels when reading this book and remembering..." Read more

"Somewhat dated but interesting saga of a black president. The social landscape has changed a lot since this book was written...." Read more

15 customers mention "Pacing"8 positive7 negative

Customers have mixed opinions about the pacing of the book, with some finding it absolutely riveting while others say it starts slow.

"...I found the book exciting, insightful, compassionate, and very hard to put down...." Read more

"This was a hard read...because first, it hurt to read such hateful, spiteful words from some of the well portrayed characters and second because,..." Read more

"absolutely riveting! It had been awhile since I read Mr. Wallace but now I will make it a point to enjoy more of his books...." Read more

"It was slow at the beginning but soon I was unable to put the book down. Irving Wallace had premonition of the current political scene." Read more

5 customers mention "Dated content"0 positive5 negative

Customers find the book somewhat dated.

"...Obviously, it is somewhat dated: women are referred to as girls, everyone smokes like chimneys in all the hallowed halls, including the White House,..." Read more

"It was ok - a bit dated and in certain passages was "updated" - and things were inserted that didn't quite jibe with the particular lines..." Read more

"...any book of its era that deals with racial issues, the language can seem a bit dated; and I'm too young to judge how realistic and typical the..." Read more

"Although this book is dated, it speaks to the prejudices and bigotry that unfortunately still exist 50 years after its initial publishing." Read more

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Russell J. Sanders
Timely and electric!
Reviewed in the United States on September 19, 2018
Verified Purchase

In the 1960s, when I first discovered the works of writer Irving Wallace, I was thoroughly entranced. But I also felt that he was one of those best-selling novelists who could tell a good story but would never be among the great authors, the literary giants. Oh, how wrong I was. Flash to over fifty years later, and I have re-read two of his works, The Word and The Man. I found The Word to be a painstakingly researched, very topical novel even after having been written so long ago. But The Man? It is 739 pages of electricity, a tale that speaks to us today as powerfully as it spoke to its 1960s audience. Obviously, it is somewhat dated: women are referred to as girls, everyone smokes like chimneys in all the hallowed halls, including the White House, and the “n” word is spat out liberally, as well as many other racial epithets that are offensive today and should have been offensive back then. Fine literature, however, transcends the era in which it was written and speaks to its audience in any decade. The Man tells the story of an African American senator—a rarity in its time—who, because of a series of deaths and the laws of our nation, becomes President of the United States. And, of course, there are multitudes who don’t think he is capable of the task simply because of his skin color. We see those attitudes rearing their ugly heads daily, even though we are now in the 21st century, and the political machinations seem timely and believable, based on what we read in the news about our current American president. This is a novel that flies by, is totally engrossing, and beautifully constructed. Yes, by our current standards, some of the descriptions go on and on, but unlike those passages in The Word, where I admit I skimmed a bit, these all seem perfectly fashioned to build whatever the mood or tension is needed. The Man is magnificent, and it deserves two things: to be read by modern audiences and to be filmed by a dynamic filmmaker who can give it the treatment it deserves.

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Anonymous
An absolute must read
Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2024
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With singular focus and clarity, Irving Wallace guides readers through the nuances of the presidential succession while simultaneously addressing the reaction of the nation to the first Black man to become president of the United States. In what can only be described as Wallace's own Versailles moment (read the book and you will understand this reference), it is sometimes is difficult to remember that this book was written in 1964 as many of the prejudices and the issues are as relevant as they would have been in the 1960s to the late 1990s on to the present day. Modern readers may find some of the language difficult to understand, as well as difficult, to read but it is important to remember that the book is written in the cadence the 1960s and, as such, accurately reflects both the tenor and the vitriolic nature of the racial slang and commentary used during that time.

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elizabeth
Learning from the Past
Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2013
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An enlightening view of what may have happened...but even more reflection
on how far we have come in acceptance of our fellow man. A totally enjoyable read.

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MA
Classic
Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2025
Verified Purchase
It's a great Irving Wallace story. I purchased a used copy.

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Experienced Shopper
excellent book
Reviewed in the United States on April 4, 2014
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Irving Wallace wrote this book before we elected the first black president in the US. It tells the story of what happens when the top individuals in line for the presidency due to the death of the president also lose their lives. The office of President is then officially handed over to a man that is fully capable of living up to the title of President. Unfortunately there are those elected officials that are reluctant to say the least when it comes to accepting this man because he is black. The book tells the story of how strongly opposed some of these government officials are to his appointment and try their best to do anything to have him impeached. Fortunately the man who is now President has the courage to hold is own. He eventually proves not only to the people in the US that are not in favor of him holding that position but also both our allies and enemies that he is a strong, moral, individual who will not give up even though at times he is tempted. The trials and tribulations he is put through are unforgivable but eventually his strength and capabilities become apparent and he proves that the title of President is a well deserved honor bestowed upon a man worthy of being in the oval office. Excellent book written before it's time.

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Linda
Almost Prophetic
Reviewed in the United States on September 29, 2013
Verified Purchase
I was amazed at how a book published in the '60's could predict some of the issues facing a black president in the story are faced in reality by Obama today. It made me sad for the country but also made me proud of our country because there are so many strong, courageous people of character (though at times it seems not enough when I look at the current behavior of Congress which seems to be made up of rich people who couldn't understand how missing a paycheck will impact the average American and their families). While this book was published in 1966, it did not feel dated (other than I recognized the events as being of that time period). I found the book exciting, insightful, compassionate, and very hard to put down. I was sleep deprived when I finally finished because I usually read to get sleepy and found myself just not going back to bed.

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5 people found this helpful

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Lawrence A. Bourque
Loved this story
Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2014
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Loved this story. Although it was written in the 60s, Irving Wallace had a lot of foresight into how a man of color was feeling when he automatically became the President of the USA. It went into depth on his character and how he dealt with people who worked under him and who tried to undermine him. It also gave you a lot of history on how the office of the President is run and all the ins and outs of the Senators and the Constitution. Although I love to read, this book was very long and had a lot of detail that was necessary to understand the Man, but it could have had some editing. Enjoy. Irving Wallace was a very detailed writer and wanted his readers to understand every minute point. Carol

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Jimmy
Excellent
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 15, 2023
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This book is an incredibly thought-provoking read that effectively explores the complexities of race and politics in the United States during the 1960s. The premise is fascinating - an unexpected accident leads to the first black President of the United States - and the execution is equally exceptional.

Wallace does an excellent job of navigating the various political and social challenges Dilman faces as he assumes the presidency. His character is complex and relatable, and readers will find themselves rooting for him as he works to overcome the many obstacles standing in his way.

The writing itself is masterful, with Wallace's attention to detail and well-researched historical context bringing the story to life. It's an engaging and thought-provoking read that will leave readers pondering the themes long after they've finished the book.

Overall, "The Man" is a must-read for anyone interested in political fiction or social commentary. It's a riveting story that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end, and a testament to the power of storytelling. Highly recommended!

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Gianluca Carpiceci
A book son of its times (the 60's), a worthwhile read
Reviewed in Italy on April 2, 2017
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The book is definitely a son of its era; I read it in 2017 and did enjoy it, but trying to read into it possible predictions of our current era is just too much (this has nothing, absolutely nothing to do with Obama and its presidency).
Still, I found it a pretty interesting picture of the political and socio-cultural world of the US of the 60's; I think that, if you position the novel as a fruit of its times, you are naturally more inclined to be indulgent with what today might look like gross flaws (the style of its prose is desperately outdated: nothing is left to the reader's intuition, everything is explained in fastidious detail, every single personal reflection going on in the characters' mind, every single logical step of the plot, every dialogue is reported step by step....I must confess I skimmed through some pages here and there when the narration became too agonising for me). Beyond the stylistic issues, however, here what did strike more my attention:
1. refreshing our memory about the level of black discrimination still present in one of the most convinced democracies of the western world only 30-40 years ago may be not a breaking news but it is still mind blowing
2. the world depicted by Irving Wallace - even the supposedly complex one of the Washington politics - is a pretty simple one, straightforward and linear, a world where cause and effect are linked in a very clear and predictable fashion; people are also relatively simple, almost naive at times, even the evil characters seem just to be playing their role. Now, someone could say this is another issue of outdated style; maybe this is true, at least in part, butI believe this is also reflecting a reality which is so different from the complexity of the world of the xxi century

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Geoff Fox
Reviewed in Australia on July 6, 2019
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Excellent reading a pity that the world is still crawling with all forms of racism real and just to make peers happy and fit in

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Joe Mayo
One of the best books I've read!
Reviewed in Canada on October 7, 2013
Verified Purchase
This book, written in 1964, could have been written in 2013. The first black President is sworn in after tragedy places him next in line, though he is 4th in line for succession. It is amazing that 50 years after the book was written we still have the same racial hatred and extreme politics in Congress, directed at frustrating the efforts of a black President. Read it and see how little has changed in America.

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Amazon Customer
Five Stars
Reviewed in India on May 25, 2016
Verified Purchase
Loved the book . Great read though I had read it before. Still enthralling!!

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The Man Paperback – January 1, 1999

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Top reviews from the United States

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5.0 out of 5 stars Timely and electric!

5.0 out of 5 stars An absolute must read

4.0 out of 5 stars Learning from the Past

5.0 out of 5 stars Classic

5.0 out of 5 stars excellent book

5.0 out of 5 stars Almost Prophetic

5.0 out of 5 stars Loved this story

Top reviews from other countries

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent

3.0 out of 5 stars A book son of its times (the 60's), a worthwhile read

4.0 out of 5 stars Geoff Fox

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books I've read!

5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars

Timely and electric!

An absolute must read

Learning from the Past

Classic

excellent book

Almost Prophetic

Loved this story

Excellent

A book son of its times (the 60's), a worthwhile read

Geoff Fox

One of the best books I've read!

Five Stars