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Description edit
Gore Vidal's Narratives of Empire series spans the history of the United States from the Revolution to the post-World War II years. With their broad canvas and large cast of fictional and historical characters, the novels in this series present a panorama of the American political and imperial... read more
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit
Characters/People edit
- Charlie Schuyler: The narrator of the book. He is an apprentice in Aaron Burr's Law firm who aspires to be a writer. Tasked by political enemies to investigate Burr's possible illegitimate fathering of a future US president, Schuyler's begins to sympathize and even admire his target.
- Aaron Burr: Revolutionary War veteran, US Vice President. The story is dominated by Burr's memories on the war, the founding of the country and those that were a part of those events. Burr is keenly aware that Washington, Jefferson, Adams and others are already beginning to be remembered as infallible heroes while he fears his own legacy will be nothing more than the man who killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel.
Setting & Locations edit
- New York: 1834/1835; 1800s (flashbacks)
- Philadelphia: 1770s (flashbacks)
First Sentence edit
Shortly before midnight July 1, 1833, Colonel Aaron Burr, aged seventy-seven, married Eliza Jumel, born Bowen fifty-eight years ago (more likely sixty-five but remember: she is prone to litigation!).
Series & Lists edit
This is book 1 of 7 in Narratives of Empire series. (standard series)
Followed by Lincoln.
This is book 5 of 10 in Publishers Weekly Bestselling Novels In 1973. (authoritative list)
Authors & Contributors edit
- Gore Vidal (Author)
First Edition edit
Original Language: English
Publisher: Random House
Country: USA
Publication Date: 1973
ISBN: 0394480244
Page Count: 430
Publisher: Random House
Country: USA
Publication Date: 1973
ISBN: 0394480244
Page Count: 430
Classification edit
- Library of Congress: Add the Library of Congress Classification.
- Dewey: 813.54
Subjects edit
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