About this book
David Lockwin—The People's Idol by John McGovern bursts onto the listener’s stage with the roar and pageantry of Gilded Age Chicago, following a magnetic figure whose rise exposes the machinery of popular politics.
Set against the turn-of-the-century cityscape of Prairie Avenue and the raucous wards of the South Side, this literary fiction novel tracks David Lockwin’s journey from local favorite to a man worshiped and tested by the public. McGovern blends social satire, political drama, and intimate character study as he sketches primaries, conventions, barroom deals, and moral dilemmas. Alongside Lockwin, a lively cast—Esther Lockwin, the scheming Corkey, George Harpwood, and Robert Chalmers—brings comic humanity and sharp commentary to questions of ambition, loyalty, and the costs of celebrity. Rich period detail evokes the Gilded Age’s contrasts of wealth, corruption, and civic fervor without sacrificing warmth or wit.
Ideal for listeners who enjoy classic American political fiction, historical drama, and character-driven satire, this audiobook rewards anyone curious about how public adoration is won—and what it demands in return. Its spirited narration and vivid scenes make it a compelling listen for fans of social realism and political storytelling.
