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The Insider: A Novel
He began as a youthful idealist, drawn by the ideas and dynamism of congressional candidate Sam Adams. His career, linked with Adams's rapid ascent through the ranks of power, led him to a position of national influence achieved by few. Yet in the process, a question nagged Jon Abelson, image-shaper for Washington's brightest political star: How far can you go before compromise becomes corruption? Jon would ultimately discover the answer through events too horrifying to imagine...and a shocking, hidden agenda he could never have dreamed of. The Insider is a fascinating and disturbing look at the politics of power. Written by a Washington insider, it probes the hard choices Christians must make in an arena where the ends justify all means. Here are well-developed characters, wrenching realism - and a gripping read that will keep you turning the pages right up to the unexpected, stunning finale.
325 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1996
9 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Nesbit
35 books65 followersJEFF NESBIT was the public affairs chief for five Cabinet departments or agencies under four presidents and the communications director to former GOP Vice President Dan Quayle. He was most recently the assistant secretary for public affairs at HHS and the deputy commissioner for communications at the Social Security Administration in the Biden-Harris administration.
Nesbit was also the founder and executive director of Climate Nexus; a nationally recognized climate communications non-profit; and a strategic communications advisor to media, health, science, tech, academic, corporate and non-profit clients including the Discovery Channel networks, Yale University, Lockheed Martin, the American Heart Association, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Porter Novelli and the American Red Cross.
He has been a contributing writer to The New York Times, Time magazine and Axios, and wrote a weekly science, health and tech column called “At the Edge” for U.S. News & World Report for nearly a decade. He’s written 33 books, including Poison Tea and This is the Way the World Ends with St. Martin’s Press.
Nesbit was also the founder and executive director of Climate Nexus; a nationally recognized climate communications non-profit; and a strategic communications advisor to media, health, science, tech, academic, corporate and non-profit clients including the Discovery Channel networks, Yale University, Lockheed Martin, the American Heart Association, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Porter Novelli and the American Red Cross.
He has been a contributing writer to The New York Times, Time magazine and Axios, and wrote a weekly science, health and tech column called “At the Edge” for U.S. News & World Report for nearly a decade. He’s written 33 books, including Poison Tea and This is the Way the World Ends with St. Martin’s Press.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 21, 2024
A thriller that offers a frightening look at real-life politics of power (4 stars)
Author Jeff Nesbit knows what he is talking about. He's been the White House, serving as communications director for Vice President Dan Quayle, and has a lot of experience in politics. In his novel “The Insider” (1996), we participate in a suspenseful political ride with protagonist Jon Abelson.
Jon is a journalist who soon finds himself in the support train of promising candidate Sam Adams. With the help of Jon and others, Adams rapidly rises through the ranks to Congress, the Senate, and is heading towards the Presidency. But as Sam begins to reach the summit of political power, Jon begins to realize that not everything is as it seems, and with his Christian convictions reawakening, he begins to question whether he can support what is happening.
As novel, this is a good fast read. Although I'm not normally one who enjoys political thrillers, I found myself caught up in the suspense, and found the storyline engaging all the way along. There's some surprises at the end in a very fast-paced conclusion that is oddly satisfying.
But what I especially appreciated about this book is the insights it gives into the politics of power. Although it's a work of fiction, it gives a good indication about some of the underlying machinations that contribute to political success, such as the symbiotic relationship between political figures with the media, and business. There's a lot of corruption and shady dealings that the average citizen simply never gets to know about, and becoming aware of this doesn't exactly inspire confidence in our system of democracy, which is often far less objective and fair than we might imagine or hope for. Given the author's credentials and experience, it's an insightful picture of the politics of power that is probably more real than imagined, and that makes this an important novel to read.
Author Jeff Nesbit knows what he is talking about. He's been the White House, serving as communications director for Vice President Dan Quayle, and has a lot of experience in politics. In his novel “The Insider” (1996), we participate in a suspenseful political ride with protagonist Jon Abelson.
Jon is a journalist who soon finds himself in the support train of promising candidate Sam Adams. With the help of Jon and others, Adams rapidly rises through the ranks to Congress, the Senate, and is heading towards the Presidency. But as Sam begins to reach the summit of political power, Jon begins to realize that not everything is as it seems, and with his Christian convictions reawakening, he begins to question whether he can support what is happening.
As novel, this is a good fast read. Although I'm not normally one who enjoys political thrillers, I found myself caught up in the suspense, and found the storyline engaging all the way along. There's some surprises at the end in a very fast-paced conclusion that is oddly satisfying.
But what I especially appreciated about this book is the insights it gives into the politics of power. Although it's a work of fiction, it gives a good indication about some of the underlying machinations that contribute to political success, such as the symbiotic relationship between political figures with the media, and business. There's a lot of corruption and shady dealings that the average citizen simply never gets to know about, and becoming aware of this doesn't exactly inspire confidence in our system of democracy, which is often far less objective and fair than we might imagine or hope for. Given the author's credentials and experience, it's an insightful picture of the politics of power that is probably more real than imagined, and that makes this an important novel to read.
July 24, 2019
We follow a young man named Jon Abelson as he graduates college and looks for his first true job. He finds himself in a little town in Ohio. There he meets an ambitious man named Sam Adams. Adams is running for governor. We see how Jon's life starts becoming entwined with Adams'. The book covers Adams' climbing the political ladder to become president with Jon at his side. Everything is from Jon's point of view.
December 7, 2011
Interesting book - especially since I am a Christian who is involved with local politics. Strange ending, in my opinion.
December 23, 2025
What worldview will we embrace? One where the Lord is the center of it all; and we respond? Or one where we forge our own destinies?
Read this as a teenager and it's still poignant 20 years later.
Read this as a teenager and it's still poignant 20 years later.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews