A Man in Full, published in 1998, is the critically acclaimed second novel of journalist and author Tom Wolfe. Regarded as an example of the Great American Novel, the book captures American life at the end of the 20th century in its tragicomic complexity. Wolfe situates the novel largely in Atlanta and traces the fortunes of failing real-estate tycoon Charlie Croker, still caught in the ways of the Old South. When the daughter of Charlie’s wealthy white friend accuses a Black football player of rape, Charlie faces a dilemma: Endorse the football player and get his debts written away, or support his friend and fall into ruin. A chain of events, including the jailbreak of the idealistic stoic Conrad Hensley, shapes Charlie’s decision. Featuring a vast array of characters, humor, satire, and descriptions of Atlanta in the late 1990s, Wolfe’s novel examines America’s obsession with wealth and status, racism and class inequalities, and the meaning of masculinity and integrity in a hollow, cruel world.

On its publication, A Man in Full received favorable reviews, with critics lauding the sheer scale of its canvas. Like Wolfe’s other novels The Bonfire of the Vanities (1987), I Am Charlotte Simmons (2004), and Back to Blood (2012), the book is an example of social satire and social realism. Apart from his novels, Wolfe also wrote nonfiction and journalism. Wolfe, who passed away in 2018, is considered a pioneer of New Journalism, a journalistic style that combines facts with storytelling. His impact on journalism and American culture continues, with Netflix adapting A Man in Full in 2024 as a TV series.

This guide refers to the 2011 Vintage Books Paperback UK edition.

Content Warning: The source material contains references to sexual assault, racism, and torture. Additionally, the source material uses outdated, offensive terms for LGBTQIA people, Jewish people, and other groups of people; these terms are replicated in this guide only in direct quotes of the source material.

Plot Summary

Atlanta-based Charlie Croker, a 60-year-old real estate tycoon, appears to be the quintessential American success story. He owns a private jet and a 29,000-acre quail plantation, and he is married to the young and beautiful Serena. However, a horseback quail hunt with fellow businessman Inman Armholster reveals that all is not right with Charlie. Charlie’s real-estate business is failing, he is half a billion dollars in debt, and despite his powerful physical appearance, he is aging, troubled by an old football injury. Charlie also feels alienated from the much younger Serena, for whom he left Martha, his wife of 29 years.

Meanwhile, Roger White, a Black lawyer known as Roger Too White for his affinity for white culture, gets a new assignment that puts him in Charlie’s orbit. When Fareek Fanon, a star football player, is accused of date rape by Elizabeth Armholster, Inman’s daughter, Fareek’s legal team requests that Roger enlist the support of Wes Jordan, Roger’s college friend and the mayor of Atlanta. The case must be handled deftly, both to protect Fareek’s career and to ensure it does not lead to racial tensions in an already divided city. Roger discusses the matter with Wes. Wes tells Roger they must get Charlie Croker to publicly endorse Fareek’s character. The approval of a powerful, wealthy white man will help Fareek’s defense. Wes, up for his second mayoral election, wants to use the Fareek assignment to his advantage and secure Atlanta’s critical Black vote.

Raymond Peepgass, a loan officer at Charlie’s bank, summons Charlie to initiate a payback of Charlie’s debts. Panicked, Charlie decides to lay off workers at his food division rather than sell off any of his assets. The decision has a ripple effect on the life of 23-year-old Conrad Hensley, an idealistic and handsome father of two working at the Oakland-based freezing and packing plant of Charlie’s food division. Conrad is laid off. When he hurriedly parks his car near a red zone to make it to a job interview in time, circumstances spiral beyond his control. Conrad’s car is towed away, and he falls short of money to retrieve it from the impound lot. Conrad tries to seize his car from the lot, is attacked by security, and ends up at the Santa Rita correctional facility in California. Though Conrad could receive probation if he pleads guilty to assaulting security at the impound lot, he refuses on principle since he did not initiate the altercation.

In Atlanta, Charlie’s troubles worsen. Peepgass grows close to Charlie’s first wife, Martha, and gains vital intel on the unsavory methods Charlie used to buy land at cheap prices. When bank officers threaten Charlie with making the intel public, he decides to consider Roger’s offer: The mayor’s office will influence the bank to restructure Charlie’s loan if Charlie agrees to endorse Fareek at a press conference. Charlie meets Fareek, whom he finds obnoxious. He is torn between endorsing Fareek to save himself and remaining loyal to his friend, Inman. To avoid making a decision, Charlie seeks a temporary escape through knee surgery.

In prison, Conrad discovers a book called The Stoics and becomes inspired by the teachings of ancient Greek philosopher Epictetus. Stoic philosophy helps him survive the unpleasant conditions of incarceration and validates his own principled stand. When a gang member sexually threatens Conrad, Conrad stands up to him in Stoic fashion. Conrad fears he may be targeted by gang members and prison officials for his actions, but an earthquake strikes the prison, and Conrad manages to escape. Conrad sees the earthquake as a divine sign, which strengthens his belief in the teachings of Epictetus.

Conrad and Charlie’s paths converge when Conrad, under the alias of Connie, ends up in California. Conrad finds work as a care provider for elderly people. He quickly rises up the ranks because of his kind treatment of clients, and soon, his boss gives him a high-profile assignment: taking care of Charlie Croker as he recovers from knee surgery. Conrad and Charlie quickly strike up a friendship, though Conrad initially hides his real identity from Charlie. When Roger drops in to ask the frail Charlie to ready himself for a press conference to defend Fareek, Conrad tells Roger not to pester his client. Charlie realizes Conrad draws his strength of character from Stoic philosophy and begins learning the teachings of Epictetus from Conrad. Meanwhile, Serena tells Charlie she believes that Elizabeth’s accusation of rape against Fareek is false. Serena’s words throw Charlie into further confusion.

Finally, Charlie decides to act out of principles and not convenience, as Epictetus’s philosophy dictates. He shows up at the press conference and tells the truth: He is here because of an offer from the mayor’s office. However, Charlie can neither praise nor condemn Fareek because he simply does not know the man. Fareek may be obnoxious but that does not necessarily mean he is capable of rape. Tired of his dues hanging over his head like a sword, Charlie announces he is abdicating his wealth, leaving all his assets to the bank. Charlie and Conrad walk off together. In the epilogue, it is revealed that Wes Jordan won a second term as mayor. Martha and Peepgass got married, and Charlie is now an evangelist for Stoicism, traveling the country with Conrad. Conrad turned himself in for running away from prison and was released on probation. Charlie may soon get his own Stoic TV show on the Fox network.