The Man is a 1964 novel by Irving Wallace that explored what might have happened had a black man become President of the United States. 1964 (MCMLXIV) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1964 calendar). ... Irving Wallace (March 19, 1916 - June 29, 1990) was an American bestselling author and screenwriter. ... The presidential seal was used by President Hayes in 1880 and last modified in 1959 by adding the 50th star for Hawaii. ...

Plot introduction

As the novel (which was written before the adoption of the 25th Amendment) opens, the Vice-Presidency is vacant, due to the earlier death of the Vice-President. Then, on an overseas trip, the President and Speaker of the House are in a freak accident; the President is killed immediately and the Speaker of the House dies during resultant surgery. The Presidency then falls upon the President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Douglass Dilman, a black man who had earlier been elected to the position in a nod to tokenism. The term Speaker is usually the title given to the presiding officer of a countrys lower house of parliament or congress (ie: the House of Commons or House of Representatives). ... The United States Senate, according to the United States Constitution, (Article I), is required to choose a President Pro Tempore (or, president for a time, often shortened to President Pro Tem), who presides over the Senate in the absence of the Vice President. ...

Explanation of the novel's title

The title of the book comes from a slang usage.

Plot summary

Dilman's presidency is marked by white racists, black activists and an assassination attempt. He is impeached on several trumped-up charges after firing the United States Secretary of State. One of his children, who had been "passing" as white, is also targeted. Seal of the United States Department of State. ... The examples and perspective in this article or section may not represent a worldwide view. ...

Allusions/references to actual history, geography and current science

His impeachment trial closely parallels that of President Andrew Johnson. For other persons named Andrew Johnson, see Andrew Johnson (disambiguation). ...

Film, TV or theatrical adaptations

The book was made into a movie in 1972, starring James Earl Jones in the title role, though many of the key plot points were changed drastically, including the whole-scale replacement of the impeachment storyline with Dilman's bid for the party's nomination at the national convention. 1972 (MCMLXXII) was a leap year starting on Saturday. ... James Earl Jones (born January 17, 1931 in Arkabutla Township, Mississippi in Tate County) is among Americas best known film and stage actors. ...