Books: Travelogue

CREATION by Gore Vidal Random House; 510pages; $15.95

Although he has dabbled elegantly in many literary forms, Author Gore Vidal is probably most impressive as a historical novelist. Not only does he do his homework, but he can make old facts look like contemporary gossip. And he takes wicked pleasure in turning accepted notions about the past upside down. Julian (1964) strikes a blow for paganism and the Roman Emperor who tried to halt the spread of Christianity. Both Burr (1973) and 1876 (1976) portray the U.S. founding fathers and their successors...

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