Burr: A Novel (Modern Library) [Hardcover]

Gore Vidal (Author)

Book Description

Series: Modern Library | Publication Date: February 24, 1998

Burr is the opening volume in Gore Vidal's great fictional chronicle of American history, each of which is being republished in the Modern Library .  Burr

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Charles Schuyler is a personal assistant to Aaron Burr, the former Revolutionary War hero, vice president under Jefferson, and infamous slayer of Alexander Hamilton. He's also been employed by a group of political operatives in New York journalism circles to dig up evidence that Burr is the "natural father," as the expression goes, of up-and-coming presidential candidate Martin van Buren. Schuyler's journal entries are a wondrous prose picture of Jacksonian society, while an imagined autobiographical account from Burr provides a similar depiction of the nation's origins. Like all of Vidal's historical fiction, Burr has little use for America's received iconography, and draws upon contemporary sources to puncture the legendary reputations of Washington and Jefferson. There are also marvelous cameo appearances from figures like Washington Irving and Davy Crockett, of whom Schuyler notes, "He is considered a delightful figure. I can't think why." (There's also a substantial subplot in which Schuyler falls in love with a prostitute named Helen Jewett; readers may be interested to learn that she is, in fact, a real historical figure). --Ron Hogan

From Library Journal

"The novel is masterfully constructed, right down to a shocking but logical surprise on the last page," said LJ's reviewer, who gushed further, adding, "The familiar figures and stock scenes when we encounter them here are fresh, new, and utterly absorbing. Vidal has made a century and a half seem but a heartbeat from today" (LJ 11/1/73). With the world focusing on the current round of political shenanigans emanating from Washington, this should retain its popularity. Note that Modern Library is also releasing Vidal's Lincoln
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 697 pages
• Publisher: Modern Library (February 24, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679602852
• ISBN-13: 978-0679602859
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #411,438 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the most intelligent and interesting novels ever., October 7, 1999

By 

Lynn (Richmond, VA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Burr: A Novel (Modern Library) (Hardcover)

Burr is intelligent and insightful as well as fun and interesting. The book chronicles the life of the notorious Aaron Burr from his days as a soldier in the American Revolution to his term as Vice President and his treason trial. And it culminates in an thoughtful vision of the man's remaining years. Vidal's book is brilliant and refreshing in its portrayals of the founding fathers, particularly Burr, Hamilton, and Washington. A must read for anyone who loves fiction, history, and good writing.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The portrayel of the forgotten father, October 4, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Burr: A Novel (Modern Library) (Hardcover)

Burr, perhaps the most underrated and forgotten founding father of all time. Aaron Burr lived a life where there was a balance between two extremes. He would became the best of friends with one man and the worst of enemies with another and years later the roles were reversed. A man who loved his country only to see it turn its back on him. A man exposed to the incompetence of our nation's heroes doomed to live on in their shadow. This book made me believe that Van Buren was his son and also that the famous duel was because of a slanderous remark Hamilton made. I believe this because it seems much more natural than any reason a history book could give. Burr was a great man, but he was not without his faults; nobody ever is, but for a man so misunderstood, it just doesn't seem fair.

Also, I have tremendous respect for Vidal's talent. After reading his sidenote, it is obvious the man knows what he is doing. But not so much is my respect for his research, than it is for his brilliant way of conveying a belief even he himself does not hold.

Vidal said he was not a Burr supporter and that probably still holds true. But if the old boy were alive today-you can be bloody sure he would receive my vote.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining from page 1 through the end, August 24, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Burr: A Novel (Modern Library) (Hardcover)

I couldn't put it down once I started reading! The portrayals of Washington, Hamilton, Jackson, Jefferson, etc were wonderfully sarcastic & humerous. I've always wondered as Burr if the members of Continental Congress were such patriots why weren't they out with the troops getting shot at. The founding fathers weren't 2 dimensional models of perfection. I adored Burr's character. His memoirs of his treason trial were especially entertaining.