His essays from four decades of writing are collected in a massive book titled United States, which I thoroughly enjoyed and recommend - it is huge, but you can browse. He's delightfully readable, and he has known so many people - the Kennedys, Norman Mailer, Tennessee Williams, Italo Calvino, Al Gore, Christopher Hitchens, ....
As Paglia says, what an original mind. Kind of determinedly outrageous and transgressive, but also smart, bold, and often correct. I still think about his notions that authoritarians always keep shit lists, monotheism inherently provokes religious conflict, and there is no clear classification of sexual preference for individuals. It it all true? He will convince you.
And also a rabid anti-imperialist and fond of comparing the United States to ancient Rome. One of the most outspoken aspects of his life was criticizing the United States whenever the gears of war began to turn, and not just the government, but the press, the people, and the culture.
He had a complete falling out with Christopher Hitchens later in life over Bush's 2nd Iraq War. At one point he saw Hitchens as his intellectual equal, and someone who he believed would carry on fighting against American imperialism after Vidal's death. But once Hitchens started writing apologetics for Bush's 2nd Iraq War the two of them completely fell out.
> And also a rabid anti-imperialist and fond of comparing the United States to ancient Rome.
That's kind of funny, because Rome acquired most all the provinces it ever did under the allegedly virtuous Republic.
Republican (not the US party) propaganda never made much sense, not even in the days of "sic semper tyrannis", but somehow, like good advertising, it always stuck.
Absolutely love his essays -- he's my favorite essayist. For those wanting an introduction to his work, I recommend his essay on Charles Lindbergh, "The Eagle is Grounded". You can read it online for free:
As Paglia says, what an original mind. Kind of determinedly outrageous and transgressive, but also smart, bold, and often correct. I still think about his notions that authoritarians always keep shit lists, monotheism inherently provokes religious conflict, and there is no clear classification of sexual preference for individuals. It it all true? He will convince you.