From his desks in Ravello and the Hollywood Hills, Gore Vidal travels in memory through the arenas of literature, television, film, theatre, politics, and international society, where he has cut a broad swathe, recounting achievements and defeats, friends and enemies made.

This selection brings together the best of Gore Vidal's essays, comment and criticism from his 50-year writing career. Vidal explores his keystone subjects: primarily the worlds of literature and US politics; but also showbiz, sexuality and modern manners.