Gore Vidal presents a sequel to his popular memoir Palimpsest for the years 1964-2006. In the Navy during World War II, Vidal used point to point navigation when compasses failed. And this memoir went from interesting point to another, not necessarily in chronological order. A fascinating self-portrait of a writer whose knew such luminaries as JFK, Tennessee Williams, Eleanor Roosevelt, Orson Welles, Greta Garbo, and others. He mastered not only historical writing but also screenwriting and novels. He enjoyed talking politics. His politics may have been influenced by his grandfather, Senator Thomas Gore. The senator was blind so Gore read for him. His father established 3 airlines; one with Amelia Earhart. So he knew many people. The account of the death of his long time companion Howard Austen is particularly moving. Johnny Carson seemed to hit it off--they laughed at the same things. Some labeled him a political and literary troublemaker.
I went for something very different from my normal readings for this selection for my North America Continent entry.
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