Ramadas Rao

A brilliant novel providing unique insights into American politics, constitutional laws relating to presidential succession and social prejudices in the 60s. The novel is set in the uncertain times following the assassination of President Kennedy, who was succeeded by Vice-President Lyndon Johnson. In a fictional scenario Afro- American Douglass Dilman is sworn in as President following untimely deaths of a line of eligible successors to the President killed in an accident. Dilman's innate liberalism, courage in the face of heavy odds and faith in American ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity sees him bravely tackle one setback after another. An ideal foil to Dilman is his lawyer friend Nat Abrahams. The two friends represent Americanism at its best. I had first read the novel in the 70s at college. I am reading it again now secure in the knowledge that United States has a come a long way in terms of inclusiveness, electing Afro-American Barack Obama as President for successive terms. Yet racial prejudices persist in the land of liberty and I find the novel very relevant for the liberal values it espouses.