Andrew Young Libri

The political leader and ordained minister discusses his life, describing his early years, how his faith gave him courage during the civil rights movement of the 1960s, and his years as U.S. Representative, U.N. Ambassador, and mayor of Atlanta.

A top aide to Martin Luther King, Jr., and one of history's most important civil rights leaders, Andrew Young has been a witness to history and made his own. During the civil rights movement, he worked tirelessly as a strategist and negotiator in the campaigns that resulted in the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act, and was at Dr. King's side when he was assassinated. For years, he has been mentoring his godson, Kabir Sehgal, in correspondence and conversation. In this entertaining and provocative discourse, Young shares his thoughts and meditations on such important topics as civil rights, race, faith, love, and leadership.It's an inter-generational dialogue between Godfather and Godson, a living Tuesdays with Morrie . "This book is my attempt to humbly pass along a few anecdotes, life lessons, and insights to prepare you for the long journey ahead," Young says.

The underside of modern American politics—raw ambition, manipulation, and deception—is vividly revealed in Andrew Young’s gripping account of a presidential hopeful’s rise and fall. This narrative, akin to a non-fiction version of All the King’s Men, provides a disturbing perspective on the risks and tactics employed by a man determined to lead the most powerful nation. Young, who volunteered for John Edwards's Senate campaign in 1998, quickly became the candidate’s right-hand man and confidant. As Edwards gained national prominence, Young's responsibilities expanded, and he was assured he was ‘like family.’ However, he soon found himself embroiled in questionable assignments, culminating in a request to help conceal the senator’s ongoing affair. Just before the 2008 presidential primaries, Young gained notoriety by claiming paternity of a child carried by Rielle Hunter, Edwards's mistress. While Young went into hiding with his family, Edwards continued his political ambitions. Young, who believed in Edwards's potential as a great president, was ultimately let down when promises of truth and career protection were broken. This personal account not only chronicles Young’s political education but also examines the trajectory that made Edwards a leading Democratic candidate and the hubris that led to his downfall, leaving his career and dreams in ruins.