Washington, D.C.

by Gore Vidal

Book Overview

This stunning and illuminating portrait of national politics from the New Deal to the McCarthy era superbly blends historical figures with fictional characters. We follow the lives of Blaise Sanford, the ruthless Washington newspaper tycoon; his son, Peter, a liberal editor both fascinated and repelled by the imperial city; Peter's beautiful and self-destructive sister Enid; her husband, Clay Overbury, a charismatic and ambitious politician; and James...

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345342364
• ISBN13: 9780345342362
• Release Date: September 1986
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 374 Pages
• Weight: 0.45 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 4.2" x 6.9"

Customer Reviews

My favorite of the American Chronicle

Apparently others disagree, but I thought this was the best novel in Vidal's American Chronicle series. It's also the best one to start with if you haven't read any others in the series, although it's near the end chronologically. I feel that it provides a good background for the other books, making it easier to understand and get into them. Washington, DC will also stand alone as a great political novel. I'm not generally a fan of historical fiction, but I love Vidal, and this book is one of his best.

History, Politics, and Literature at Their Finest

Gore Vidal is one of America's most erudite and imaginative historical and political thinkers. He also happens to be one the most intelligent, witty, and capable literary craftsmen this country has ever produced.In Washington, D. C., Vidal has created a novel that is simultaneously informative and entertaining. The story takes place between the 1930s (FDR era) and WWII. For anyone interested in that historical period, this book will be a fascinating read. The amazing thing is, however, that even if you're not interested in that historical period, you'll enjoy the satirical nuances of the book. Also, Vidal draws his characters with such authenticity that you'll get lost in the interpersonal relationships and forget the historical backdrop.A vague outline of the novel is as follows: Senator Day twarts FDR's attempt to pack the Supreme Court; he then gets involved in an attempt to be elected president; while all this is happening his daughter's ex-fiance Clay Overbury (who is also Senator Day's aide) marries another woman whose father is extremely rich; and the political intrigue and madness ensue.This, and all of Vidal's American Chronicle series, should be required reading for every American citizen.

Not the style of Burr or Lincoln, but superb nonetheless.

Gore Vidal has written a very vivid and engaging novel about the intrigues and power plays ongoing in our nation's capital. His dialogue is pitch perfect, his characters are duplicitously clever, and his descriptions of the nation's capitol are lush. Though dissimilar in style to, and ultimately not as fine a work as, the anachronistically written 'Burr' or 'Lincoln', 'Washington, D.C.' still stands, along with Henry Adams' 'Democracy', as the gold standard work about the political animals on America's grand stage of government. It is a great, worthwhile read.

Vidal is a master of political deceit & betrayal

A vividly accurate portrayal of what people will do to further their (political) careers and to get ahead in life. Although the book takes place mainly in the 40's, you can make a case where it is still relevent in today's society. The character development is good and you find yourself cheering for no one but sympathizing with most. This is the first Vidal book I have read and I look forward to exploring more in his series.