Gore Vidal's American Chronicle

[catbert836]

They're great historical fiction/revisionist history. I really enjoyed "Burr", read about what an incompetent general Washington was and the Machiavellian schemer that was Alexander Hamilton. "Lincoln" was also excellent; it references more of what Lincoln had to go through as a person than it does the civil war. Right now, I'm on "1876", which has the same narrator as "Burr", and I still have a few to go after I'm finished with that one. Has anyone else read them?

[billbuckhead]

1. You'll never look at media or politics the same again

I've read the whole series.

[demnan]

2. Once you're finished with the American ones, try the classical ones

Start with Julian, about the much admirred Roman Emperor. Then read Creation, about the Persian empire and the Greeks. He wrote a screen play about Caligula, but I haven't read it.

[whalerider55]

3. include me in...

i should have realized that there was a lot more bitchiness in history than my history books in school revealed. his ability to take the historical choices made by these figures, and intuit deeply personal and contextual reasons for their choices is great. and... they seem so much like the politicos of today...

whalerider

[Room101]

4. I'm in the middle of "Burr" as I type

I have read about 15 of Gore Vidals books/novels for he is my favorite
Author. He has an unmatched ability to make you feel as if you are
A fly on the wall during histories most epic moments.
Vidal turned me on to history and the pleasure of reading.

"Creation" by far is his best novel! I felt like the kid in "The never ending story" that skipped school to read the book in solitude.

Julian was great as well.

Check out these great audio streams of Gore Vidal.

http://www.catradiocafe.com/

[JitterbugPerfume]

5. I just re-read Kalki

wow

Vidal is
a great writer

[saltpoint]

11. Agree. KALKI is just terrific. An addicting novel.

[terrya]

6. "LIncoln" stands on its own.

"Lincoln" is one of the finest books on Lincoln's years as President I've read. Vidal did a tremendous amount of research for this book.

Vidal's "American Chronicle" is Vidal at his best.

[pitohui]

7. burr and yes i enjoyed it

plan to read the others you mentioned when i can

recently read julian

love vidal's style

[akarnitz]

8. Have you gotten to "Hollywood"?

I love that one as much as "Burr". Rethugs haven't changed all that much since Harding.
"Live From Golgotha" is super, too.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

9. Someone should make a movie of "1876"

It is so applicable to our current political situation, complete with stolen election.

[saltpoint]

10. Awfully good choices there if you ask me. Vidal is just great.

I liked all the ones you mention, but thought his LINCOLN was unbelievably good.

Good for you to read Vidal, especially these days when Bush's shadow is so long.