The story details the rise of a handsome, charismatic attorney named Oliver Russel, to political fame, while his jilted fiancée, Leslie Stewart, grows a media empire to eventually destroy his career and image.

The novel begins with an introduction to Leslie Stewart, one of the protagonists of the book, from her childhood to her current occupation as an advertising executive in Lexington, Kentucky.

Leslie asks Davis to introduce her to one of his friends, a magnate named Henry Chambers, who has recently divorced and lives in Arizona.

Oliver becomes the President, and Leslie uses her media empire to slander his name by pushing several stories critical of him (including one about his affairs) to the front page.

The death is soon linked to him by several pieces of evidence, including a blackmail note from a clerk for the hotel and the lack of an alibi presented by Oliver.

The book ends with Oliver following through with the peace deal among the Arab Nations and Israel, while Leslie is left shocked and embarrassed by a mistake her media empire will never be able to live down.