Vidal’s epic story of a US ex-pat author (who happens to be Aaron Burr’s illegitimate son) returning to New York at a pivotal time in US history at the end of Reconstruction to find his widowed daughter a husband. Witty and emotional at turns, shining a light on the leadership of the country, the “great 400” (fans of HBO’s The Gilded Age take note, Ward McCalister and Mrs. Astor make appearances here) and the Philadelphia Centennial Exposition. One of the most interesting books on the American experience from a top notch author of rare talent!