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There are two epic struggles in
Empire, the fourth of Gore Vidal's fictional meditations on the history of the United States. First, there is the historical conflict between Theodore Roosevelt--the war hero vaulted by circumstances into the Oval Office at a time when America is about to become a global power--and newspaper mogul William Randolph Hearst. Then there's the battle between the fictional Caroline Sanford (the great-granddaughter of Aaron Burr) and her half-brother Blaise over their late father's estate. Caroline, cut off from the money until her 27th birthday, is furious that Blaise plans to invest (and probably lose) most of it in Hearst's journalistic empire, and initiates a counterstrike by putting together the money to buy her own newspaper in the nation's capital.
As always, the scenes are populated by the powerful men and women who dominated American government and society. John Hay and Henry Adams are particularly prominent here, along with Hearst and Roosevelt. But there are also appearances by even more diverse figures, such as novelist Henry James and populist leader William Jennings Bryan.
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From Library Journal
Fictional creation Caroline Sanford, owner of the Washington Tribune, is the central character in this historical novel that focuses on late 19th/early 20th century America's emergence as a global power. A well-written tale in the tradition of the author's Burr and 1876, it encompasses the Spanish-American War of 1898, U.S. takeover of the Philippines, President McKinley's assassination, and the stormy presidency of Theodore Roosevelt. Interesting and well-developed real-life characters abound, including, most memorably, Secretary of State and Lincoln's old friend John Hay. Intermixed with the well-researched backdrop of historical characters and events is Caroline's personal story. The fifth novel in Vidal's "American Chronicle" series, this is yet another winner. Highly recommended. BOMC main selection.James B. Hemesath, Adams State Coll. Lib., Alamosa, Col.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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