US author Gore Vidal dies aged 86

[HarryT]

Celebrated writer and political commentator Gore Vidal has died aged 86, his family has confirmed.

He died at his home in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening, with the cause of death believed to be complications from pneumonia.

Gore Vidal produced 25 novels, including the best-selling "Burr" and "Myra Breckenridge", more than 200 essays and several plays.

...

Full story at:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-19074230

[hidari]

Originally Posted by HarryT

Full story at:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-19074230

He was an interesting man and a good writer:

RIP

[Mike L]

Interesting. I just watched Infamous, the film about Truman Capote, in which Gore Vidal is a character (not played by himself).

Mike

[Greg Anos]

I guess it wasn't Cavesway....

[Prestidigitweeze]

Got to sit in once while a friend was interviewing Vidal and was able to hear all his spontaneous catty comments before he blue-penciled them later. One example [on JFK]: "Cortisone did for his profile what Vietnam did for his reputation." He also lamented becoming, in his words, "the National Fag" by writing The City and the Pillar so early in his career. "I wanted to be President!"

I rather think the LGBTI community is mostly glad he published that first book, as my father was for everything that followed (especially the political essays and novels -- Dad was a fan).

The best part about hearing the interview was finding out Vidal could be an amazing mimic -- he did JFK, Capote, Tennessee Williams and Carson McCullers ("Am ah gon-nuh win the Pee-yoo-lit-zuh Puh-rahz?") and insulted my friend in several entertaining voices. He was rather nice to me, though (since I was young and silent but for the occasional guffaw).

[rhadin]

I was never a fan of Vidal's writing but I absolutely loved watching he and William F. Buckley, Jr. debate on Firing Line. Both were knowledgeable and actually discussed the merits and demerits of ideas without resorting to screaming, shouting, and soundbites.

[Billi]

Originally Posted by Mike L

Interesting.

That's an unusual and ... hm interesting comment to a death note.

[Mike L]

Originally Posted by Billi

That's an unusual and ... hm interesting comment to a death note.

True. Maybe I should have said "Coincidentally".

Mike

[Jozawun]

Originally Posted by rhadin

I was never a fan of Vidal's writing but I absolutely loved watching he and William F. Buckley, Jr. debate on Firing Line. Both were knowledgeable and actually discussed the merits and demerits of ideas without resorting to screaming, shouting, and soundbites.

Although, according to the BBC "His feud with Buckley was legendary, with the pair coming to blows several times and trading insults on national television while working as pundits on the 1968 Democratic convention."

[afa]

Anti-eulogy:

http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/h..._elitist_.html

He was a racist and an elitist, forever mourning the decline of his era of aristocratic privilege.

[hidari]

I like the anti-eulogy...always good to see several sides of a person....

[hidari]

Interesting....Did not know about his racial views.... Definitely a Jerk to some degree....

[SteveEisenberg]

Originally Posted by rhadin

Both were knowledgeable and actually discussed the merits and demerits of ideas without resorting to screaming, shouting, and soundbites.

Christopher Buckley on His Father's Old Nemesis, Gore Vidal

If you look closely at the footage of the 1968 TV contretemps between WFB and Vidal, you’ll see WFB trying to rise out of his chair at the moment of maximum heat. If you look very closely, you’ll see him physically straining, but something holding him back.

A few days before, he was sailing in Long Island Sound when a Coast Guard cutter zoomed past his sailboat, knocking him to the deck, breaking his collarbone. During the Chicago debates, he was wearing a clavicle brace. It’s possible that the brace prevented the moment from being truly iconic.

The excellent obituary Buckley mentions is here. I read it on my K3 thanks to the Kindle's killer app, the New York Times Latest News Blog.

[SteveEisenberg]

Originally Posted by Jozawun

. . . according to the BBC "His feud with Buckley was legendary, with the pair coming to blows several times. . . ."

I think the BBC is in error about "coming to blows."

[elcreative]

Originally Posted by SteveEisenberg

I think the BBC is in error about "coming to blows."

In English (maybe not in American) "coming to blows" doesn't necessarily mean physical action, it's a perfectly accepted phrase for strong disagreements...