The United States of America

This is the novel's primary broad-strokes setting, even though the action of the narrative does not move beyond the boundaries around two particular locations in the country - Delaware and Washington D.C. The reason this setting is important is more political and cultural than geographical: the novel features a pair of characters, Barack Obama and Joe Biden, whose political careers, range of experiences, public personas and reputations (in short, their fundamental identities) are defined by their having been America's leaders, with everything that that involves - including celebrity status, remarkable power, and a sense of moral confidence.

Delaware

The state of Delaware, in the United States north-east, is the the narrative's second broad strokes setting. Its recent-years tendency towards liberal politics combines with its deepening economic divisions between haves and have-nots are important considerations in the development of its themes, particularly its consideration...