Imperial America : Reflections on the United States of Amnesia

Rating:
Summary: Twilight of the Republic?
Review: This, the third of Vidal's provocative pamphlet trilogy, is not as enjoyable as the first two installments. Vidal's characteristic playfulness seems burdened by the gravity of current events: perhaps he is stunned by the accuracy of his predictions regarding the decline of the United States. Also, he offers no strikingly original perspective on his views, as with his earlier interview with Timothy McVeigh (printed in "Perpetual War for Perpetual Peace.")

However, Vidal's analysis is refreshing in its breadth and its refusal to saddle Bush with all blame for our present woes. He carefully selects several of his earlier essays to illustrate that America has been on a downward slope for some time: its troubles are systemic and require systemic tweaking to cure (his fantasized constitutional convention is provocative). Although the older essays are contained for a purpose, it is true they comprise the bulk of the pamphlet. Those familiar with his earlier work may be disappointed if hoping for many pages of new material.