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Imperial America: Reflections on the United States of Amnesia
Gore Vidal has been described as the last ‘noble defender" of the American republic. In Imperial America, Vidal steals the thunder of a right wing America—those who have camouflaged their extremist rhetoric in the Old Glory and the Red, White, and Blue—by demonstrating that those whose protest arbitrary and secret government, those who defend the bill of rights, those who seek to restrain America's international power, are the true patriots. "Those Americans who refuse to plunge blindly into the maelstrom of European and Asiatic politics are not defeatist or neurotic," he writes. "They are giving evidence of sanity, not cowardice, of adult thinking as distinguished from infantilism. They intend to preserve and defend the Republic. America is not to be Rome or Britain. It is to be America."
208 pages, Paperback
First published May 7, 2004
32 people are currently reading
643 people want to read
About the author
Gore Vidal
422 books1,866 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 - 29 of 29 reviews
August 26, 2018
It sure seems quaint in 2018 to read essays about what tyrants Reagan, and both Bushes were. What I'd give to go back then, and tell Mr. Vidal all about the feces-slinging insanity the current state of politics have arrived at, but clearly he was already envisioning this dreck. After completing this book, it felt like I had inhaled a bowling ball, but that passes quickly when you note that there's not a whole lot you, or I can do about it.
June 5, 2018
The late Gore Vidal was a man of acerbic wit. Here he writes about the U.S. Constitution. Put together by rich men of property, the one percent of the day, it's not what it's cracked up to be even though many politicos today consider it the quintessential model for good government. The rich retain economic and political advantage and the Supreme Court, "often witty if seldom wise," goes along with the rich by interpreting the word "person" to mean not only a human being but a corporate entity as well. Then there is the Electoral College, injected into the Constitution because Founding Fathers thought ordinary folk to be dangerous and stupid. A new Constitutional Convention is needed, Vidal writes, one that would enable a government more like a parliamentary system. (Good luck with that, I say; such a convention would likely gridlock and any result would likely result in a Constitution worse than the one we have.) Other essays relate to our nation's perpetual conjuring up enemies in order to keep munitions factories running, about "The Great Obfuscator " Reagan, how we kow-tow to Israel, etc. I like Vidal's sharp insights and novelistic writing style. Too bad he's no longer with us.
January 6, 2009
I found a lot of the Nixon and Reagan era articles to be very enlightening. I think Vidal exposes some intrinsic flaws within our government. I do think, though, that he may be a little heavy on the conspiracy theories. I think he may give a little too much credit to the powers that be in terms of their ability to put policies into play that influence complex end games years in advance.
January 8, 2010
Brilliant indictment of the lack of political awareness of the American citizenry in electing government, and it's consequences.
February 26, 2015
I like the way Vidal writes, but I always end up starting to suspect my beliefs because I agree with him so much.
September 2, 2019
Some old essays, some new, but all pure Gore
One wonders what Gore Vidal is up to in this modest collection of (mostly) previously published essays. But one sees after some reading that Vidal's point is, he said it first! America is an imperial power and has been (according to Vidal's calculation) since 1898.
I don't blame Gore for making sure that all this bandying about "the American Empire" that has arisen since George W. and the neo-cons took over the country is old news, already keenly seen by himself decades ago. Certainly the twice- and thrice-published essays presented here are proof that as usual Gore Vidal is one prescient political observer, not to mention that he is one very fine essayist. Note well the subtitle of this book: "Reflections on the United States of Amnesia." Gore is here to tell us that yes we have forgotten our history, and yes what will follow is predictable. Did not Rome go from a republic to a dictatorship with a fabulous empire to so much dust in the wind? (Of course it took a while, so what's to worry?)
The first two essays, "State of the Union: 2004" and "The Privatizing of the American Election" are new. In the first, Vidal continues his practice of imagining that he is the head of a shadow government by presenting his own "state of the union" address. As usual he finds that not all is well in the heartland and something definitely stinks to high heaven somewhere inside the Beltway, and not just in the Oval Office itself. In the second, he chimes in on the shiny new observation being heard from an increasing number of pundits (myself included) that the new (and very old) strategy in American politics is to steal the election. He notes that Republican-appointed jurists decided the 2000 election in favor of--believe it or believe it not!--the Republican candidate. Furthermore, Vidal hints darkly that all those shiny new voting machines have the capacity to decide elections in non-democratic ways (i.e., by the programmer's algorithmic sly of hand).
The last essay, "Interim Report: Election 2004" is also new, although it is not, measured by the usual Vidalian standard, all that great an essay. It is perfunctory due mostly to the fact that it was written earlier in the year before even most of the primaries had been held. In other words, this book itself is a bit premature. Perhaps Gore should have waited until after the election to write about the election!
Ah, but such is the thrall in which Gore Vidal holds literate America, that even recycled and perfunctory essays by arguably our leading political essayist, are so eagerly anticipated that, like new cars rolling off the assembly line, they are served up ahead of time to quench the craving.
Still "Interim Report..." is a fun essay in that Gore calls for the impeachment of George W. for lying to Congress and the nation. He cites six lies. For a more nearly complete indictment of the mendacious president see Alterman, Eric and Mark Green. The Book on Bush: How George W. (Mis)Leads America (2004) or Corn, David. The Lies of George W. Bush: Mastering the Politics of Deception (2003).
Well, is this book worth buying? If you are not familiar with the political essays of Gore Vidal, I would definitely say yes. These eleven essays include some of his best, notably "The State of the Union: 1980" which appeared in the August, 1980 edition of Esquire magazine, and "Armageddon" which appeared in both The Nation and The (London) Observer in 1987. What is particularly interesting about "Armageddon" is that what he says about the rapture-intoxicated Reaganites and the fuzzy faith-based thinking of their leader applies even more so to the present occupant of the White House.
For those already familiar with the sharp wit and uncompromising expression of Gore Vidal, I would point out that seven of the eleven essays previous appeared in his biggest and best collection of essays, United States Essays, 1952-1992, a book I highly recommend. I think Vidal, more than almost anyone else I have read understands how the American political system really works. There are others who understand it equally well of course, but those people, like, e.g., Henry Kissinger, Richard Nixon, and the senior George Bush, etc., were too much involved as players to ever write candidly about a system in which they have swum about like predatory fish. One of the nice things about Vidal is that he is not beholden to a political past (he failed as an office seeker), nor is he an instrument of the system itself. So he can be candid and say unpopular and disagreeable things. And, as anyone who has ever read him knows, he absolutely loves to rock the political boat even if we are navigating through excrement-filled waters. Here he is on a familiar theme, the (less than) a dime's difference between the political parties and who really runs the country:
"...[W]hat has evolved over the years are two pieces of electoral machinery devoted to the acquiring of office--and money. Since neither party represents anything but the interests of those who own and administer the country, there is not apt to be much 'choice' in any election." (p. 126)
This central truth about the way our system operates is lost on most voters. One suspects however that among the nearly fifty percent of the electorate that doesn't bother to vote in most elections, there are a few who know why they don't bother. And certainly Gore knows and is pleased to tell us.
--Dennis Littrell, author of the sensational mystery novel, “Teddy and Teri”
One wonders what Gore Vidal is up to in this modest collection of (mostly) previously published essays. But one sees after some reading that Vidal's point is, he said it first! America is an imperial power and has been (according to Vidal's calculation) since 1898.
I don't blame Gore for making sure that all this bandying about "the American Empire" that has arisen since George W. and the neo-cons took over the country is old news, already keenly seen by himself decades ago. Certainly the twice- and thrice-published essays presented here are proof that as usual Gore Vidal is one prescient political observer, not to mention that he is one very fine essayist. Note well the subtitle of this book: "Reflections on the United States of Amnesia." Gore is here to tell us that yes we have forgotten our history, and yes what will follow is predictable. Did not Rome go from a republic to a dictatorship with a fabulous empire to so much dust in the wind? (Of course it took a while, so what's to worry?)
The first two essays, "State of the Union: 2004" and "The Privatizing of the American Election" are new. In the first, Vidal continues his practice of imagining that he is the head of a shadow government by presenting his own "state of the union" address. As usual he finds that not all is well in the heartland and something definitely stinks to high heaven somewhere inside the Beltway, and not just in the Oval Office itself. In the second, he chimes in on the shiny new observation being heard from an increasing number of pundits (myself included) that the new (and very old) strategy in American politics is to steal the election. He notes that Republican-appointed jurists decided the 2000 election in favor of--believe it or believe it not!--the Republican candidate. Furthermore, Vidal hints darkly that all those shiny new voting machines have the capacity to decide elections in non-democratic ways (i.e., by the programmer's algorithmic sly of hand).
The last essay, "Interim Report: Election 2004" is also new, although it is not, measured by the usual Vidalian standard, all that great an essay. It is perfunctory due mostly to the fact that it was written earlier in the year before even most of the primaries had been held. In other words, this book itself is a bit premature. Perhaps Gore should have waited until after the election to write about the election!
Ah, but such is the thrall in which Gore Vidal holds literate America, that even recycled and perfunctory essays by arguably our leading political essayist, are so eagerly anticipated that, like new cars rolling off the assembly line, they are served up ahead of time to quench the craving.
Still "Interim Report..." is a fun essay in that Gore calls for the impeachment of George W. for lying to Congress and the nation. He cites six lies. For a more nearly complete indictment of the mendacious president see Alterman, Eric and Mark Green. The Book on Bush: How George W. (Mis)Leads America (2004) or Corn, David. The Lies of George W. Bush: Mastering the Politics of Deception (2003).
Well, is this book worth buying? If you are not familiar with the political essays of Gore Vidal, I would definitely say yes. These eleven essays include some of his best, notably "The State of the Union: 1980" which appeared in the August, 1980 edition of Esquire magazine, and "Armageddon" which appeared in both The Nation and The (London) Observer in 1987. What is particularly interesting about "Armageddon" is that what he says about the rapture-intoxicated Reaganites and the fuzzy faith-based thinking of their leader applies even more so to the present occupant of the White House.
For those already familiar with the sharp wit and uncompromising expression of Gore Vidal, I would point out that seven of the eleven essays previous appeared in his biggest and best collection of essays, United States Essays, 1952-1992, a book I highly recommend. I think Vidal, more than almost anyone else I have read understands how the American political system really works. There are others who understand it equally well of course, but those people, like, e.g., Henry Kissinger, Richard Nixon, and the senior George Bush, etc., were too much involved as players to ever write candidly about a system in which they have swum about like predatory fish. One of the nice things about Vidal is that he is not beholden to a political past (he failed as an office seeker), nor is he an instrument of the system itself. So he can be candid and say unpopular and disagreeable things. And, as anyone who has ever read him knows, he absolutely loves to rock the political boat even if we are navigating through excrement-filled waters. Here he is on a familiar theme, the (less than) a dime's difference between the political parties and who really runs the country:
"...[W]hat has evolved over the years are two pieces of electoral machinery devoted to the acquiring of office--and money. Since neither party represents anything but the interests of those who own and administer the country, there is not apt to be much 'choice' in any election." (p. 126)
This central truth about the way our system operates is lost on most voters. One suspects however that among the nearly fifty percent of the electorate that doesn't bother to vote in most elections, there are a few who know why they don't bother. And certainly Gore knows and is pleased to tell us.
--Dennis Littrell, author of the sensational mystery novel, “Teddy and Teri”
May 20, 2019
Since April 11, 2019, when the world saw Julian Assange whisked away from his precarious refuge in the Ecuadorian embassy, toting a more recent Gore Vidal book of interviews, History of the National Security State, I became once again inspired to explore the work of a monumental American author. Leave it to a "criminal" like Assange to coax people in the direction of literature. Naturally, my local Barnes and Nobles in Orlando, FL wouldn't carry such apostasy, so my only resort was to pivot towards Amazon. I wondered if carrying a tiny paperback and showing a thumbs up were the last statements we would ever get from the muzzled, most wanted enemy of the state. If that were the case, I wanted to hear whatever it was he had to say.
I would quickly add Gore's essays to a list of revolutionary books, which are the only ones worth reading. In a short time, I read through both books to get a bigger picture, and found that some of the same material could be found in either. Right away, Gore's huge influence is felt where it seems that he has passed on the baton to the nascent wing of liberal democrats, since Bernie Sanders' curious and short-lived candidacy, to folks like Alexandria Ocasio Cortez and Tulsi Gabbard. Of course, that is not completely accurate, and Gore would be sure to pan any such statement, claiming that any such feeble "resistance," were actually pushing for the same goals he espouses, since although he eviscerates and pans politicians aplenty, while getting at the heart of what makes the American political system tick, he also does put forth reforms and solutions, totally in keeping with the editorial style we see, featured in the likes of the Nation, The Observer, and even the New York Times, Book Review. That latter outlet, of course the center piece of our hollywood-like media, is singled out in a couple places for misdeeds. For instance, in both books he makes no bones about discussing rampant election fraud, which would mean prior to its copyright date of 2005, discussing for instance how Bush plainly stole the election from Gore in Florida. He also mentions doing investigative journalism with a congressman Conyers into huge-scale election fraud in the influential swing state of Ohio. He doesn't even have to mention the NY Times when he comments that no one in the press has made any mention to his work with Conyers at all, making the case that we live in a total-blackout, alternative reality created by those usual suspects of the media. At that time, before the internet, there was no reason to think up any stories about "Russian hackers" influencing our elections, which anyone "with an IQ above room temperature," as Gore has summed it, understands is patently false. On the Chapter subtitled "The Privatizing of the American Election," after exploring the troubling computerized voting system we were already instating at that time, Gore waxes about "...three principal-supplies companies who have made it a condition of the use of their product that only employees of the manufacturer can ever take a look inside in order "to protect trade secrets." The simple solution? Duh, paper ballots! Of course, many fringe individuals have since pointed to such a solution. Ralph Nader, of all people, comes to mind, as he was the perfect fall-guy in lieu of any Russians, who were apparently safely at bay at that moment in history. I found myself wanting to post his pithy statements on social media, as a means to cut through all the latest election day palaver.
Speaking of left-wing "fringe" ideas, it is also interesting to see that Zionist expansionism is among those political movements to get rightly panned. Again, this has become a third-rail, biting the hand that feeds for the most part, as we have seen recently with the miraculous congressional career of a BLACK WOMAN MUSLIM. No doubt she is just as soon wearing out her welcome with the ruling hierarchy the likes of Pelosi and Schumer, by daring to criticize Israel's endless expansion into Palestinian territory.
Of course, there is endless material to discuss here. Particularly, his delving into more the more remote history of our young republic, stating plainly that the founding fathers were skeptical of both monarchy AND democracy. Problems with democracy, voting, and empire were stitched into the fabric of the constitution from the very beginning. His analysis of the second republic from the time Lincoln, who he calls a "dictator," are fascinating. For it was Lincoln who suspended habeas corpus and made war mostly on his own, albeit for existential reasons at that time. But, once that worm got out of the can, other executives could begin to declare wars and raise money for the military at a whim. FDR's dictatorship style is captivating, where the guy who usually gets cited for being some sort of communist, is actually the mastermind behind plotting American dominance over the hapless British and other allies. Then comes the "wooly-headed" Truman who uses the bombs, Eisenhower, Nixon, Kennedy, etc.
Though he seems to nail the Empire pretty well, it is interesting also to see where even firebrands like Gore are reluctant to go. Particularly, on the controversial subject of 9-11, he makes his way gingerly around the subject, somewhat feebly offering that it could have been prevented by Bush and it was not. Why, for instance, when planes are usually scrambled in such situations, were they not scrambled that day? Where Gore normally lambastes, he seems to only make subtle suggestions on that point.
I would quickly add Gore's essays to a list of revolutionary books, which are the only ones worth reading. In a short time, I read through both books to get a bigger picture, and found that some of the same material could be found in either. Right away, Gore's huge influence is felt where it seems that he has passed on the baton to the nascent wing of liberal democrats, since Bernie Sanders' curious and short-lived candidacy, to folks like Alexandria Ocasio Cortez and Tulsi Gabbard. Of course, that is not completely accurate, and Gore would be sure to pan any such statement, claiming that any such feeble "resistance," were actually pushing for the same goals he espouses, since although he eviscerates and pans politicians aplenty, while getting at the heart of what makes the American political system tick, he also does put forth reforms and solutions, totally in keeping with the editorial style we see, featured in the likes of the Nation, The Observer, and even the New York Times, Book Review. That latter outlet, of course the center piece of our hollywood-like media, is singled out in a couple places for misdeeds. For instance, in both books he makes no bones about discussing rampant election fraud, which would mean prior to its copyright date of 2005, discussing for instance how Bush plainly stole the election from Gore in Florida. He also mentions doing investigative journalism with a congressman Conyers into huge-scale election fraud in the influential swing state of Ohio. He doesn't even have to mention the NY Times when he comments that no one in the press has made any mention to his work with Conyers at all, making the case that we live in a total-blackout, alternative reality created by those usual suspects of the media. At that time, before the internet, there was no reason to think up any stories about "Russian hackers" influencing our elections, which anyone "with an IQ above room temperature," as Gore has summed it, understands is patently false. On the Chapter subtitled "The Privatizing of the American Election," after exploring the troubling computerized voting system we were already instating at that time, Gore waxes about "...three principal-supplies companies who have made it a condition of the use of their product that only employees of the manufacturer can ever take a look inside in order "to protect trade secrets." The simple solution? Duh, paper ballots! Of course, many fringe individuals have since pointed to such a solution. Ralph Nader, of all people, comes to mind, as he was the perfect fall-guy in lieu of any Russians, who were apparently safely at bay at that moment in history. I found myself wanting to post his pithy statements on social media, as a means to cut through all the latest election day palaver.
Speaking of left-wing "fringe" ideas, it is also interesting to see that Zionist expansionism is among those political movements to get rightly panned. Again, this has become a third-rail, biting the hand that feeds for the most part, as we have seen recently with the miraculous congressional career of a BLACK WOMAN MUSLIM. No doubt she is just as soon wearing out her welcome with the ruling hierarchy the likes of Pelosi and Schumer, by daring to criticize Israel's endless expansion into Palestinian territory.
Of course, there is endless material to discuss here. Particularly, his delving into more the more remote history of our young republic, stating plainly that the founding fathers were skeptical of both monarchy AND democracy. Problems with democracy, voting, and empire were stitched into the fabric of the constitution from the very beginning. His analysis of the second republic from the time Lincoln, who he calls a "dictator," are fascinating. For it was Lincoln who suspended habeas corpus and made war mostly on his own, albeit for existential reasons at that time. But, once that worm got out of the can, other executives could begin to declare wars and raise money for the military at a whim. FDR's dictatorship style is captivating, where the guy who usually gets cited for being some sort of communist, is actually the mastermind behind plotting American dominance over the hapless British and other allies. Then comes the "wooly-headed" Truman who uses the bombs, Eisenhower, Nixon, Kennedy, etc.
Though he seems to nail the Empire pretty well, it is interesting also to see where even firebrands like Gore are reluctant to go. Particularly, on the controversial subject of 9-11, he makes his way gingerly around the subject, somewhat feebly offering that it could have been prevented by Bush and it was not. Why, for instance, when planes are usually scrambled in such situations, were they not scrambled that day? Where Gore normally lambastes, he seems to only make subtle suggestions on that point.
December 29, 2023
A few chapters were pretty good, especially the long one near the end looking at the corruption of the American system, but in general it was a very repetitive collection of essays from the '80s and early 2000s.
October 15, 2009
If you like Michael Moore, you may like Gore Vidal - except he's considerably more extreme. I agree with many of his more salient points; at times he loses even me, and I doubt there are many liberals more liberal than I am out there. Still, pretty much everything he says about W feels spot-on to me.
July 29, 2011
Our problems seem new because, as a nation of people, we are disconnected from our history. Much of this writing is from the late 80's and still apply today. We live in such a vacuum called reality TV. wake up.
October 8, 2007
Insightful essays on the current condition of America by the brilliant Gore Vidal..
March 18, 2016
Gore Vidal true to himself writes this short analysts of the American scene. I just wonder what he would have said of the current political small upheaval.
August 16, 2022
Gore Vidal’s Imperial America collects essays and interview transcripts from the author and critic. The collection appears to have been inspired by the growing war & police state of the post-9/11 period, though Vidal looks for context as far back as James Polk and the invasion of Mexico, and many pieces are from the 1980s. Vidal also comments on the mixed success of the American Republic in the 19th century, and its wholesale destruction in the 20th, wholly captured by the military-industrial complex, financial powers, and other corporate interests. Vidal continues to be of interest because he’s not one to be boxed in: his essays against Reagan and George W. Bush are predictable and amusing for the wrong reasons, as he seriously believes both men’s religious views might compel them to usher in the Apocalypse, but then he surprises me by taking potshots at Hamilton, Lincoln, and the FBI – the latter of which, he writes, has since its founding focused more on the regime’s political enemies rather than to the lowly likes of organized crime.
June 13, 2025
If only Vidal was alive to see today...
Being my first introduction to Vidal's writings, I was pleasantly surprised at how approachable his
writing was compared to other (non-pseudo) intellectuals, and appreciated the drops of sarcasm and wit thrown in now and then.
While I didn't necessarily agree with everything he proposed, it's clear that he has a great understanding and depth of knowledge on the history and inner workings of American politics. His comments regarding the Middle East, Constitutional amendments, and Israel/Palestine are just as if not even more applicable than when these essays were written 30-40 years ago.
"We are permanently the United States of Amnesia. We learn nothing because we remember nothing."
Being my first introduction to Vidal's writings, I was pleasantly surprised at how approachable his
writing was compared to other (non-pseudo) intellectuals, and appreciated the drops of sarcasm and wit thrown in now and then.
While I didn't necessarily agree with everything he proposed, it's clear that he has a great understanding and depth of knowledge on the history and inner workings of American politics. His comments regarding the Middle East, Constitutional amendments, and Israel/Palestine are just as if not even more applicable than when these essays were written 30-40 years ago.
"We are permanently the United States of Amnesia. We learn nothing because we remember nothing."
November 12, 2016
***4.5 stars***
If G. V. had written our high school U.S. History textbooks (one can dream), we would have learned our history a hell of a lot better--and actually enjoyed the learning--(and not necessarily in that order).
If G. V. had written our high school U.S. History textbooks (one can dream), we would have learned our history a hell of a lot better--and actually enjoyed the learning--(and not necessarily in that order).
April 13, 2024
Reading too many pages of this at once is like staring directly at the sun. I do appreciate Vidal (not dogmatically, with criticism) but man this made me mad and he was mad too and it’s just me and Gore Vidal bein mad together.
January 18, 2017
can't call vidal anything but privileged. but still - the man was woke as fuck. his language and wit is a delight. would have loved to hear what he would have had to say about the state of things, these days...
August 18, 2016
Imperial America is a decent collection of essays by the talented and infamous Gore Vidal. Vidal presents an array of short writings that illustrate his skepticism of the security state and the puppets who run the show. Many of the arguments and points made are valid while some need to be taken with a salad bowl full of salt. Hardly anything is cited and the reader gets the impression that much editing has transpired regarding the sources and quotes. However, this is not a detriment to the work but, rather, a strength. Vidal did not care about such formalities and wanted the public to get a general understanding of his views. (At least this is my take). Vidal's essays and novels are meant to spur debate and challenge conformity. If a reader takes an interest in his arguments then they may take it upon themselves to formally research the topic and present an academic perspective at a later date. This production of curiosity is worth a trip to your used bookstore alone. That is where many of these works will be located.
American citizens should read Vidal's writings for a few reasons regardless of whether they agree with his musings or not. The first is that they are shocking to the conformist. One way or another, Vidal takes you out of your comfort zone and presents history and current events in a provocative way that encourages new methods of consideration. A second reason is that he is brave. Talk about an inspiration for a writer. Vidal does not mince words and his criticisms are zeroed in on his targets in such a way that they become captivating. A third reason is that his prose is accessible, lively, and funny. These are key characteristics for appealing toward a general audience. Some of the essays and writings are a joy to read and even the conspiracy based conclusions are entertaining to say the least.
It's a shame that Vidal is no longer around to continue his unique brand of commentary. He did leave behind an impressive canon that will inspire those unfamiliar with the author and those who have watched his talk show appearances. For those who have read his books: it is always nice to revisit the lost age of the pundit/intellectual/celebrity.
American citizens should read Vidal's writings for a few reasons regardless of whether they agree with his musings or not. The first is that they are shocking to the conformist. One way or another, Vidal takes you out of your comfort zone and presents history and current events in a provocative way that encourages new methods of consideration. A second reason is that he is brave. Talk about an inspiration for a writer. Vidal does not mince words and his criticisms are zeroed in on his targets in such a way that they become captivating. A third reason is that his prose is accessible, lively, and funny. These are key characteristics for appealing toward a general audience. Some of the essays and writings are a joy to read and even the conspiracy based conclusions are entertaining to say the least.
It's a shame that Vidal is no longer around to continue his unique brand of commentary. He did leave behind an impressive canon that will inspire those unfamiliar with the author and those who have watched his talk show appearances. For those who have read his books: it is always nice to revisit the lost age of the pundit/intellectual/celebrity.
May 3, 2021
Reading the book reminded me of how remiss I was in not devouring Gore Vidal's works while still alive.
Vidal starts out in 2000 right after the election of George W. Bush, stating that just like Rutherford B. Hayes in the presidential election of 1876, G. W. Bush lost the popular vote to his Democratic rival, Al Gore. Bush appealed to the courts of Florida, where he ultimately won the right to a recount in that state. Just when the election machines were starting up again, the Supreme Court jumps in. (And when I read this, I finally understood the thinking behind the 2020 election. If the Supreme Court jumped in then, why can't it jump in now? A fatal blow for democracy in 2000, but not in 2020. I think if Gore Vidal were alive today (he died in 2012), he would have thought we were moving once again in the right direction.
Of course, in 2020, we didn't have, the Lord of Darkness, Justice Scalia, who proclaimed from the bench that no American citizen has a Constitutional right to vote for president. As Vidal stated, "Of course, Scalia is correct. We vote for the Electoral College, which directly lifts the burden from "We the People while assigning that high privilege to near-anonymous electors.
So, in 2000, without a plurality of the popular vote and without, it would seem, carrying the Electoral College (many Florida votes were never counted at all), Bush was allowed to take office without actually winning the election.
No wonder, Trump had big ideas.
Vidal starts out in 2000 right after the election of George W. Bush, stating that just like Rutherford B. Hayes in the presidential election of 1876, G. W. Bush lost the popular vote to his Democratic rival, Al Gore. Bush appealed to the courts of Florida, where he ultimately won the right to a recount in that state. Just when the election machines were starting up again, the Supreme Court jumps in. (And when I read this, I finally understood the thinking behind the 2020 election. If the Supreme Court jumped in then, why can't it jump in now? A fatal blow for democracy in 2000, but not in 2020. I think if Gore Vidal were alive today (he died in 2012), he would have thought we were moving once again in the right direction.
Of course, in 2020, we didn't have, the Lord of Darkness, Justice Scalia, who proclaimed from the bench that no American citizen has a Constitutional right to vote for president. As Vidal stated, "Of course, Scalia is correct. We vote for the Electoral College, which directly lifts the burden from "We the People while assigning that high privilege to near-anonymous electors.
So, in 2000, without a plurality of the popular vote and without, it would seem, carrying the Electoral College (many Florida votes were never counted at all), Bush was allowed to take office without actually winning the election.
No wonder, Trump had big ideas.
October 19, 2014
Enjoyable and interesting read, but a bit repetitive, understandably so as Vidal revisits the same themes over years of writing in various political journals and magazines. Gore Vidal remains an entertaining and erudite writer, especially in the field of American politics and the failure of the system as the constitution evolves from the 'framers', to what he believes will be the eventual fall of the American Empire. I find it difficult to argue against him, other than to remain sceptical as to the ability for the system to change or people to change it. There seems to be a shocking stability that even when all the evidence is to the contrary, the desire to carry on regardless wins. Nevertheless, it is a useful primer for those on this side of the Atlantic to understand the nature of American politics at a national level and the power of business, the industrial military economy and the impact of the Supreme Court in providing business with more rights than people.
June 5, 2013
All but about 40 pages here are reprinted from the big Collected Essays volume (and not to carefully proofread here), but I can't think about Obama's drones without wishing Vidal was still around to excoriate him in print. It's good to be reminded about what changes and doesn't in American politics, but this selection is a bit repetitious to be read straight through.
October 18, 2010
I heart Gore Vidal. Fiction, non-fiction, whatever. Fabulous, opinionated, crazy, commie-pinko, who's now an octagenarian and still trying to whip people into a frenzy to have a second Constitutional Convention. Good times.
August 25, 2015
I wish I could have met Gore when he was alive and picked his brain on everything.
It's amazing how various situations, ways our country was leaning, political corruption, and other essays by him from the 70s, 80s, and early 90s are all still relevant and very much still the case today.
It's amazing how various situations, ways our country was leaning, political corruption, and other essays by him from the 70s, 80s, and early 90s are all still relevant and very much still the case today.
April 7, 2008
He really doesn't write bad books
August 12, 2012
Reading this book, and probably any book of political essays by Vidal, is to remove the veil between political fantasy and political reality.
Read
September 5, 2007A very informative book.
February 20, 2010
Smart.
May 28, 2010
Uncanny!
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