Deer in the Headlights

Levi Johnston—best known as Bristol Palin’s baby daddy and Sarah Palin’s favorite whipping boy—sets out to clear his name and, with any luck, end his run as Alaska’s most hated man. Promising hockey player and Governor Sarah Palin’s almost son-in-law, Levi Johnston was eighteen when Palin became the vice presidential nominee. His unique place as Bristol’s live-in boyfriend provided him a true insider’s view of what was going on behind closed doors at the Palin household. And how Sarah’s public views were often at odds with her home values. It makes it all the more curious that Sarah eventually turned her anger directly on Levi, after losing her ticket to the White House. After being bullied, lied about, and outspent in the courts when he attempted to bond with his new son, Tripp, Levi Johnston now is ready to set the record straight. Deer in the Headlights is a poignant, at times very funny, and fascinating tale of a boy thrust into the media spotlight and now figuring out how to be an adult and a dad. Johnston, ever honest, had a unique window into Palintology at a critical time; he sat in the family’s living room and paid attention. Not bitter and never petty, Johnston shares his story. As Lawrence O’Donnell of MSNBC so aptly put it: “I love that kid. He’s honest, he’s straightforward, he’s not embarrassed.”