Vidal’s typical dry wit and feigned disaffection is on full display here. Having only read his fiction works until now, it’s interesting to see these anecdotes portrayed directly, rather than being filtered through his characters. As he was older during this writing than anything else I’ve read from him, he’s at his most morose, which also works well within his unique writing style. Vidal’s self-narration is very good. [AUDIBLE]

ヴィダル作者のいつものとても面白い著作スタイル！

This is the 2nd time I’ve listened and read him. His voice and words captivate me. His wit and observations command my attention. I feel what I call his pedigree…for lack of better word is amazing too…His grandfather was a senator, his father the founder of two airlines…his family and their friends were all the major players of his time….Amelia Earhart, the Roosevelts, politicians, show biz …a cousin to Jackie Kennedy. He also ran for office and even beat Jack K…in a race somewhere…. I’m compelled to read more of his books and view his movies. A world traveler, actor….I wish I found his work sooner….!

4/9/2009
4th time audio 5/15/14

There's a certain irony in a fabulously (relatively speaking) wealthy writer who in the same book complains about the behavior of the rich and tells stories of living here and there all over the world. Vidal is an egomaniac, and it comes out in this book.

sex as distorted by church school movie, thirst to be an actor, knew French Rev from movies, a revolution could and would happen here, Sen Gore abstain on social security vote, narcissist meaning curious w/o humility, fbi informer Reagan, cannot get political theme in movies, simple minded Cappra, Carson if you ever have doubt of line don’t say it, dem liberal candidate, 83% Vietnam 72% Iraq, united states of amnesia, Nixon spoke subconscious, FDR wife Eleanor not like Kennedys people are what they are, Mayor Daly and sly election won JFK, idea for peace corps, issues not important in politics, commercialism ability to do well what ought not be done at all, Vatican 2 assertions and of Lourdes as 3rd generation atheist, self-importance of ordinary people scoffed at, knew nothing of teaching, my hatred of America used literary skill to hide hatred mask everything writer participates in nothing folly to take books seriously impaling oneself with words not democratic, actors play stupid with ease, church collusion in 04 election, we are not Christian zealots, 1961 investigation by irs and government made rift with Kennedys, sex criminals and youth, press and media hastiness with power the great whopping lie is seriously in vogue, racist ruling class of dems in New Orleans abandoned blacks and poor, Joe Kennedy mob and Dec 63 planned assassination of Castro.