1925-

A collection of essays by American novelist, playwright, critic, and political commentator Gore Vidal that explore a wide range of topics related to his personal life, politics, world events, and traditional American themes.

Chronicles the life of Barbara Bush, discussing the tragedies which shaped her life, including the loss of her daughter, the attacks on her son's character in the 2000 presidential campaign, and the scandal that nearly ruined her son Neil's career, her role as First Lady during her husband's term as president, and her personal philosophies which have helped her overcome the challenges she has faced.

Traces the private and political life of Great Britain's former Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher.

Relates one writer's experience of how luck, fatigue, and fear played leading roles in determining soldiers' fates during a war fought mostly by boys, many of whom, like Davis learned far more than they cared to about life and death before reaching voting age.

Traces the life of Naty Revuelta, a socialite who became so involved with Castro and his cause that she remained on the island after her husband and daughter immigrated to the U.S., bore his child, and was ultimately dismissed by the dictator; and provides insight into conditions in Cuba during the twentieth century.