Publisher's Synopsis
"Gore Vidal, who died at the end of July 2012, is widely acknowledge as one of America's foremost novelists, essayists and screenwriters. But Vidal was also a terrific conversationalist, and never more eloquent, or caustic, when let loose on his favorite topic: the history and politics of the United States. This book is made up from interviews conducted with his long-time interlocutor, the writer and radio host, Jon Wiener, in which Vidal grapples with matters evidently close to his heart: the history of the American empire, the rise of the National security state, and his own life in politics, both as a commentator and candidate. The interviews cover a twenty-year span, from 1988 to 2008, when Vidal was at the height of hist powers. His facility for developing a highly cogent, historically-informed argument is on full display. And, of course, it being Gore Vidal, an ample sprinkling of gloriously. acerbic one-liners is also provided."
