The novel gives considerable attention to the rise of Wendell L. populace and use the attack to bring the United States into the war, so the U.S could take its place as the post-war dominant superpower. had broken Japan's military codes and knew of Japan's pending attack, but intentionally withheld warning Pearl Harbor. provoked Japan into attacking and 3) the U.S. Roosevelt's maneuvers to get the United States into World War II while keeping his 1940 campaign pledge to America voters that 'No sons of yours will ever fight in a foreign war, unless attacked.' Vidal makes the case that 1) the U.S had backed Japan into a corner with the oil and trade embargo, as well as massive aid to China and unconditional demands Japan could never accept 2) the U.S. The action centers around President Franklin D. The title is more ironic than ambivalent, referring principally to hopes expressed by young Americans shortly after winning World War II. It covers America's entry into World War II and the national politics of that time in some detail, and highlights of the post-war years, and then closes with a year-2000 retrospective.Įxplanation of the novel's title The book inserts the character of Caroline Sanford, Blaise's half-sister and publishing partner, who was introduced in the prequels to Washington, D.C. This includes the families of conservative Democratic Senator James Burden Day, and powerful newspaper publisher Blaise Sanford. The story begins in 1939 and features many of the characters and events that Gore Vidal introduced in his earlier novel, Washington, D.C.

The Golden Age, a historical novel published in 2000 by Gore Vidal, is the seventh and final novel in his Narratives of Empire series.

Empire vidal novel