Norman Mailer

Norman Mailer is the main character and author of the book. He is a Jewish American who grew up in New York and served in World War II. He is 44 years old at the time of the March on the Pentagon, and already he is a famous enough author that his name is readily recognizable to most people he meets. He has four daughters and two sons, split up among his four wives.

Mailer describes himself as an egomaniac, and his opinions in the book support this view. He feels that no president or presidential candidate, with the possible exception of John F. Kennedy, has been as able to execute the office of President of the United States as he himself. Despite his self-proclaimed egocentric nature, he expresses many opinions that come across as humble.

At the beginning of the book, Mailer is unsure about what he...