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Snapshots in History's Glare
This book is Gore Vidal's visual memoir of his remarkable and famously well-lived life. In this collection of photographs, letters, manuscripts, and other selections from Vidal's vast personal archives, readers are now escorted by one of America's wittiest insiders into the Kennedys' Camelot, as well as onto the set of Ben Hur, and into the private lives of Eleanor Roosevelt, Paul Newman, and Tennessee Williams, to name just a few.
Born into public life, here Vidal looks back on his days as an Army officer in WWII, his rise as a groundbreaking and controversial novelist, his years in Hollywood, his forays into the political arena, and his notoriously public triumphs and feuds. Written with Vidal's legendary wit and literary elegance, this book reveals not only the personal reflections of one of the last of the great generation of American writers, but also a captivating social history of the 20th century told by one of our great raconteurs.
Born into public life, here Vidal looks back on his days as an Army officer in WWII, his rise as a groundbreaking and controversial novelist, his years in Hollywood, his forays into the political arena, and his notoriously public triumphs and feuds. Written with Vidal's legendary wit and literary elegance, this book reveals not only the personal reflections of one of the last of the great generation of American writers, but also a captivating social history of the 20th century told by one of our great raconteurs.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2009
1 person is currently reading
96 people want to read
About the author
Gore Vidal
422 books1,868 followersWorks of American writer Eugene Luther Gore Vidal, noted for his cynical humor and his numerous accounts of society in decline, include the play
The Best Man
(1960) and the novel
Myra Breckinridge
(1968) .
People know his essays, screenplays, and Broadway.
They also knew his patrician manner, transatlantic accent, and witty aphorisms. Vidal came from a distinguished political lineage; his grandfather was the senator Thomas Gore, and he later became a relation (through marriage) to Jacqueline Kennedy.
Vidal, a longtime political critic, ran twice for political office. He was a lifelong isolationist Democrat. The Nation, The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, The New York Review of Books, and Esquire published his essays.
Essays and media appearances long criticized foreign policy. In addition, he from the 1980s onwards characterized the United States as a decaying empire. Additionally, he was known for his well publicized spats with such figures as Norman Mailer, William F. Buckley, Jr., and Truman Capote.
They fell into distinct social and historical camps. Alongside his social, his best known historical include Julian, Burr, and Lincoln. His third novel, The City and the Pillar (1948), outraged conservative critics as the first major feature of unambiguous homosexuality.
At the time of his death he was the last of a generation of American writers who had served during World War II, including J.D. Salinger, Kurt Vonnegut, Norman Mailer and Joseph Heller. Perhaps best remembered for his caustic wit, he referred to himself as a "gentleman bitch" and has been described as the 20th century's answer to Oscar Wilde
Also used the pseudonym Edgar Box.
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Gore Vidal é um dos nomes centrais na história da literatura americana pós-Segunda Guerra Mundial.
Nascido em 1925, em Nova Iorque, estudou na Academia de Phillips Exeter (Estado de New Hampshire). O seu primeiro romance, Williwaw (1946), era uma história da guerra claramente influenciada pelo estilo de Hemingway. Embora grande parte da sua obra tenha a ver com o século XX americano, Vidal debruçou-se várias vezes sobre épocas recuadas, como, por exemplo, em A Search for the King (1950), Juliano (1964) e Creation (1981).
Entre os seus temas de eleição está o mundo do cinema e, mais concretamente, os bastidores de Hollywood, que ele desmonta de forma satírica e implacável em títulos como Myra Breckinridge (1968), Myron (1975) e Duluth (1983).
Senhor de um estilo exuberante, multifacetado e sempre surpreendente, publicou, em 1995, a autobiografia Palimpsest: A Memoir. As obras 'O Instituto Smithsonian' e 'A Idade do Ouro' encontram-se traduzidas em português.
Neto do senador Thomas Gore, enteado do padrasto de Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, primo distante de Al Gore, Gore Vidal sempre se revelou um espelho crítico das grandezas e misérias dos EUA.
Faleceu a 31 de julho de 2012, aos 86 anos, na sua casa em Hollywood, vítima de pneumonia.
People know his essays, screenplays, and Broadway.
They also knew his patrician manner, transatlantic accent, and witty aphorisms. Vidal came from a distinguished political lineage; his grandfather was the senator Thomas Gore, and he later became a relation (through marriage) to Jacqueline Kennedy.
Vidal, a longtime political critic, ran twice for political office. He was a lifelong isolationist Democrat. The Nation, The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, The New York Review of Books, and Esquire published his essays.
Essays and media appearances long criticized foreign policy. In addition, he from the 1980s onwards characterized the United States as a decaying empire. Additionally, he was known for his well publicized spats with such figures as Norman Mailer, William F. Buckley, Jr., and Truman Capote.
They fell into distinct social and historical camps. Alongside his social, his best known historical include Julian, Burr, and Lincoln. His third novel, The City and the Pillar (1948), outraged conservative critics as the first major feature of unambiguous homosexuality.
At the time of his death he was the last of a generation of American writers who had served during World War II, including J.D. Salinger, Kurt Vonnegut, Norman Mailer and Joseph Heller. Perhaps best remembered for his caustic wit, he referred to himself as a "gentleman bitch" and has been described as the 20th century's answer to Oscar Wilde
Also used the pseudonym Edgar Box.
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Gore Vidal é um dos nomes centrais na história da literatura americana pós-Segunda Guerra Mundial.
Nascido em 1925, em Nova Iorque, estudou na Academia de Phillips Exeter (Estado de New Hampshire). O seu primeiro romance, Williwaw (1946), era uma história da guerra claramente influenciada pelo estilo de Hemingway. Embora grande parte da sua obra tenha a ver com o século XX americano, Vidal debruçou-se várias vezes sobre épocas recuadas, como, por exemplo, em A Search for the King (1950), Juliano (1964) e Creation (1981).
Entre os seus temas de eleição está o mundo do cinema e, mais concretamente, os bastidores de Hollywood, que ele desmonta de forma satírica e implacável em títulos como Myra Breckinridge (1968), Myron (1975) e Duluth (1983).
Senhor de um estilo exuberante, multifacetado e sempre surpreendente, publicou, em 1995, a autobiografia Palimpsest: A Memoir. As obras 'O Instituto Smithsonian' e 'A Idade do Ouro' encontram-se traduzidas em português.
Neto do senador Thomas Gore, enteado do padrasto de Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, primo distante de Al Gore, Gore Vidal sempre se revelou um espelho crítico das grandezas e misérias dos EUA.
Faleceu a 31 de julho de 2012, aos 86 anos, na sua casa em Hollywood, vítima de pneumonia.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 18, 2022
Another episode from my deep dive into all things Vidal.
This excellent collection of photos and memorabilia would be perfect to have on hand as one plows through a biography. This was Vidal's last book, however, and his pompous verbose style detracts in this format. He was notoriously prickly with editors, and one feels he was given his way here instead of being pruned and refined. One thing about Vidal — right to the bitter end he never gave up on trying to settle old scores.
This excellent collection of photos and memorabilia would be perfect to have on hand as one plows through a biography. This was Vidal's last book, however, and his pompous verbose style detracts in this format. He was notoriously prickly with editors, and one feels he was given his way here instead of being pruned and refined. One thing about Vidal — right to the bitter end he never gave up on trying to settle old scores.
December 31, 2017
An enjoyable brief autobiographical book from Gore Vidal. The purpose of it was to highlight photographs taken by his late partner Howard Auster who had at one time expressed a desire to publish a book of them, as a record of his and Vidal's life together. Other photos, playbills, book jackets, letters and press clippings are shown in addition to the commentary from the as ever witty and erudite author. The book stands as a pleasing introduction to the celebrated life of this uniquely positioned commentator on the political and cultural world in which he existed, and I am sure provides encouragement if any were needed to pick up his longer, fine autobiographies, Palimpsest and Point To Point Navigation.
March 29, 2010
When you mention Gore Vidal, what comes to mind? A novelist? Essayist? Playwright? A Politician? Commentator? Screenwriter? A Raconteur? A Socialite...?
Of course, the right answer is `all of the above.' In fact, it might be argued that Gore Vidal is America's ultimate renaissance man. Certainly, his latest book, `Snapshots in History's Glare' does nothing to dispel this notion.
From his early days growing up in a political family in Virginia, his days at boys school, his associations with writers like Truman Capote and Tennessee Williams, the political years with Harry Truman, Eleanor Roosevelt, as a confidante of the Kennedys as well as his own political ambitions, to the intoxicating highlife of the movie and showbiz worlds, Vidal has enjoyed a life like few others.
This book, which could alternately be described as a scrapbook, an annotated photo album or perhaps even a visual memoir, is an amazing collection of every phase of Vidal's life from Virginia to New York, to Hollywood (twice) to his many years along the Amalfi coast. Anchored by photographs and mementos saved by his long time companion, Howard Russell Auster (whose death was the inspiration for this book), Vidal has assembled a completist's collection of everything from early handwritten notes from political figures, to Hollywood letters, to an impressive collection of photographs of the rich and famous and even pictures of most of his movie posters and his many, many book covers. (Including when as the bete noire of the New York Times book editor, he was forced to adopt the nome-de-plume, Edgar Box!)
Vidal was certainly a bon-vivant of his generation, entertaining at times various celebrities from Mick Jagger to Andy Warhol, Norman Mailer to David Hockney, to decades long relationships with Johnny Carson, Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward and others. Vidal's commentary offers his clever and sometimes acerbic remembrances of events past, such as how he was denied credit for the film epic `Ben-Hur' though later was successful in suing MGM to obtain personal vindication. (One must observe, as well, the caustic words he saved for his famed debate partner, the late William F. Buckley.)
In the book, Vidal periodically whines that the glory days are now behind us. Given the depth of the rarified lifestyle he enjoyed over the last 60 years, he may very well be right.
Of course, the right answer is `all of the above.' In fact, it might be argued that Gore Vidal is America's ultimate renaissance man. Certainly, his latest book, `Snapshots in History's Glare' does nothing to dispel this notion.
From his early days growing up in a political family in Virginia, his days at boys school, his associations with writers like Truman Capote and Tennessee Williams, the political years with Harry Truman, Eleanor Roosevelt, as a confidante of the Kennedys as well as his own political ambitions, to the intoxicating highlife of the movie and showbiz worlds, Vidal has enjoyed a life like few others.
This book, which could alternately be described as a scrapbook, an annotated photo album or perhaps even a visual memoir, is an amazing collection of every phase of Vidal's life from Virginia to New York, to Hollywood (twice) to his many years along the Amalfi coast. Anchored by photographs and mementos saved by his long time companion, Howard Russell Auster (whose death was the inspiration for this book), Vidal has assembled a completist's collection of everything from early handwritten notes from political figures, to Hollywood letters, to an impressive collection of photographs of the rich and famous and even pictures of most of his movie posters and his many, many book covers. (Including when as the bete noire of the New York Times book editor, he was forced to adopt the nome-de-plume, Edgar Box!)
Vidal was certainly a bon-vivant of his generation, entertaining at times various celebrities from Mick Jagger to Andy Warhol, Norman Mailer to David Hockney, to decades long relationships with Johnny Carson, Paul Newman, Joanne Woodward and others. Vidal's commentary offers his clever and sometimes acerbic remembrances of events past, such as how he was denied credit for the film epic `Ben-Hur' though later was successful in suing MGM to obtain personal vindication. (One must observe, as well, the caustic words he saved for his famed debate partner, the late William F. Buckley.)
In the book, Vidal periodically whines that the glory days are now behind us. Given the depth of the rarified lifestyle he enjoyed over the last 60 years, he may very well be right.
December 1, 2019
As I have been reading my way through so many Gore Vidal books and viewing his interviews, I kept trying to google photos of his homes and friends and places he spoke of and was always disappointed. As I was replacing a couple of memoirs just finished back on their shelf, I noted a very large flat book resting on top of the other books on the top shelf so I got my reacher (old lady here) and pulled it down on top of myself only to find it was Vidals book of photos of his life as taken and collected by his partner Howard over the course of their life together. Here was a trove of photos of his friends and his homes. I enjoyed every page. I bought this as soon as it came out in 2009 for over 50.00 an unheard of price for me to spend on a single book but worth every penny and finding it again just when I was wishing for such a thing but had forgotten I had it was a real pleasure.
February 21, 2018
A fascinating life told in the most accessible and interesting of ways.
March 2, 2021
Best Kennedy gossip: When Jackie let it be known she no longer wanted to be called Jackie, but Jacqueline one of her Kennedy sisters-in-law noted that it rhymed with 'queen'. Good one.
November 3, 2023
Snapshots in History’s Glare (2009) is Gore Vidal’s photo memoir, filled with unique stories of his life with pictures and memorabilia from his decades in the public eye. This project started as the brainchild of Vidal’s long-time partner, Howard Austen, whose photography collection he had intended to turn into a book, but died before he could. Vidal completed the project as a tribute to his late partner. Here you learn of his early childhood, growing up in the home of Oklahoma Senator T. P. Gore, his grandfather, who had a strong influence on Gore Vidal’s life. A blind man, the senator often used young Gore as a reader and later page during congressional sessions, which inspired the young Gore’s long lifetime of adoring literature, history, and politics. You learn of his parents, Eugene and Nina Vidal, the former an aviation pioneer who worked for President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the latter a socialite whose mercurial nature left Gore cold. He talks of his days at Exeter Academy and the debate club, where he excelled at arguing against war in Europe, before Pearl Harbor changed the trajectory of the US and he enlisted to serve after high school.
Vidal’s post-war life centered on writing novels, television plays, and theater productions, of which 1960’s The Best Man was certainly his best. From there he became the stuff of legend, writing iconic works such as Myra Breckinridge to his American historical novels like Burr and Lincoln. He also ran for political office twice, for Congress in 1960 and the Senate in 1982, with the 1960 campaign a key highlight due to Gore’s connection to John F. Kennedy. You also learn of his many deep friendships, from Johnny Carson and Paul Newman to Joanne Woodward and Susan Sarandon, as well as his public feuds with Truman Capote, Norman Mailer, and, of course, his 1968 debates with William F. Buckley, Jr. A lot of the photos in the collection had never been seen by the public, especially ones taken by Austen at their home in Ravello, Italy. I loved reading this book and seeing all of the interesting snapshots of the legendary life of one of America’s greatest writers. Swipe to see some of my favorite photos from the book.
Vidal’s post-war life centered on writing novels, television plays, and theater productions, of which 1960’s The Best Man was certainly his best. From there he became the stuff of legend, writing iconic works such as Myra Breckinridge to his American historical novels like Burr and Lincoln. He also ran for political office twice, for Congress in 1960 and the Senate in 1982, with the 1960 campaign a key highlight due to Gore’s connection to John F. Kennedy. You also learn of his many deep friendships, from Johnny Carson and Paul Newman to Joanne Woodward and Susan Sarandon, as well as his public feuds with Truman Capote, Norman Mailer, and, of course, his 1968 debates with William F. Buckley, Jr. A lot of the photos in the collection had never been seen by the public, especially ones taken by Austen at their home in Ravello, Italy. I loved reading this book and seeing all of the interesting snapshots of the legendary life of one of America’s greatest writers. Swipe to see some of my favorite photos from the book.
March 31, 2010
Gore Vidal's last song and dance, a photo memoir with explanatory dialogue of his rather long and eventful life, from childhood at the table of his grandfather senator in Washington, to the pinnacles of American letters. It is delightfully witty, delightfully chatty and name-droppy, and features endless photos of Vidal with famous figures in history, (Eleanor Roosevelt, Truman and especially JFK) literary circles, (Tennessee Williams, Norman Mailer et al) and Hollywood, (Paul Newman, Susan Sarandon and others). His homes in New York, Ravello, Italy and Southern California are photographed, too, and his long partnership with Howard Austen. This is a delight, and a nice scrapbook for the "greatest living American."
January 6, 2016
This is a beautiful photo-biography, a great-value album for all the Vidal fans. Covering much of his life, the pictures are accompanied by captions and commentary by the man himself, with his usual mixture of sarcasm, wit and even some candor. I particulary liked all the La Rondinaia pictures and all the pictures with the Newman-Woodward couple. But what I found most delicious about this book is that the photographs, or at least the majority of them, are just private snapshots (hence the title) intended not as a pose, an exercise of vanity, but real intimate pictures, of something to be remembered later.
June 8, 2010
Gore Vidal was/is a complex and highly creative man who lived during a wonderful time in America and abroad. He hs penned numerous books, screenplays, and short stories. He has done television interviews, worked political parties from both sides of the political fence. He has lived life large and in the fast lane. I admire his writing ability quite a lot and this particular book has many photos of the places he visited and lived. It provides some keen insight into the character he is/was and how his life evolved over time. Simply magnificent!
September 19, 2012
Fabulous! The photos of Vidal's home on the Amalfi coast are extraordinary!! The home was built into a cliff, and is surely one of the most spectacular & fascinating places on our planet. The book also beautifully chronicles the extraordinary friendship between Vidal and Paul Newman. Vidal knew everybody who was anybody so everyone from Tennessee Williams and Jack Kennedy to Sting, Mick Jagger & Hilary Clinton pops up in this book.
March 12, 2012
It's a bit about life-envy really: a glorious home on the hills of the Amalfi coast looking out to the sea, Paul Newman and Susan Sarandon and Mick Jagger dropping in for dinner and a swim, with the knowledge that the conversation would never have been dull. I'll happily wallow in the pictures of that section of the book for a while.
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November 18, 2019Many interesting snapshots of friends: Tennessee Williams; Joanne Woodward & Paul Nuewman, very close friends; Paul Bowles; Jacquelyn Kennedy; Andy Warhol, Mick Jagger; and many more. Enjoyed the commentary, and readable photos of letters also.
June 27, 2010
Fun read, brilliant man.
November 25, 2012
I'm thoroughly enjoying this book. I love the concept of using a life long photographer friends' photos to help tell your life story.
January 13, 2012
Wonderful pictures, wonderful commentary. My only complaint is that some of the print from letters or articles is too small - I needed a magnifying glass.
March 4, 2016
candid as Gore Vidal can be...photo--doc--commentary--
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews