BATH
Bath native Elaine Povich came home Friday to promote her newest book, “John McCain: American Maverick.”
But Povich confesses that the words she put to paper don’t carry this book.
“I’m really proud of the words that I wrote, but honestly the stars of this book are the pictures,” Povich said. “There are some rare and unique ones in here. Some of family and some that probably have been seen before. They work together to tell the story of a remarkable life.”
The book features 145 photographs taken of the senior senator from Arizona during more than 50 years in the public spotlight as a decorated veteran, senator and presidential candidate.
Povich said she hopes her book will help people see McCain as a whole person, not a one-dimensional figure on cable news.
“No one is a caricature, least of all him. He has many layers and many depths to his career and his life,” said Povich.
Povich said photographs provide a unique insight into McCain, a man whose physical presence is a large part of who he is.
Expressive person
“One of the things that strikes you when you meet McCain is he has a very expressive face and very expressive gestures. He smiles with his whole body, and if he gets angry, he really shows it with his whole body,” said Povich. “I think these pictures show those dimensions of him.”
Povich, who currently works at Stateline — a nonprofit news service through Pew Charitable Trusts that reports on state policy — covered McCain on Capitol Hill and on the campaign as a reporter back in 2000. She also wrote a biography of the senator prior to his 2008 presidential campaign as part of a biography series targeting high school and college students. She also penned a 2008 biography focused on current House Minority Leader and U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi.
Povich said her Maine roots keep her grounded as she writes about national figures and issues.
“It’s just great. I love Bath. I’ve always loved Bath,” she said. “Bath made me what I am today.”
While Povich said she didn’t set out with the goal of inspiring a next generation of statesmen through this book, she wouldn’t be surprised if that’s McCain’s legacy.
“My purpose was to tell the story of the man, but I will say if anyone draws inspiration from it, it would not be unusual. One of his lines that he uses over and over again is that people should aspire to something greater than self interest,” said Povich. “And that is the very definition of service.
“If that’s inspiring to others, I think that would make him very happy,” said Povich.
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