cover image DREAMING WAR: Blood for Oil and the Cheney-Bush Junta

DREAMING WAR: Blood for Oil and the Cheney-Bush Junta

Gore Vidal, . . Thunder's Mouth/Nation, $11.95 (176pp) ISBN 978-1-56025-502-4

Long before the events of September 11, Vidal's place was secured as a prolific preacher against America's imperialist policies. At age 76, he uses his exceptional talents to produce bound collections of his controversial essays and op-eds. However, this latest creation lacks the eloquence and grace that previously distinguished him from other writers in their attempts to uncover the hidden truths within our American republic. Vidal calls for a more thorough investigation into the response, or lack thereof, from the "Cheney-Bush junta" on September 11 and purports that corporate greed and American imperialism have been the driving themes behind our new war on terror. He explores the oil connections that Osama bin Laden's family established with Bush during his tenure as an oil magnate in Texas and implores us to probe further into America's real interest in conquering Afghanistan. According to Vidal, America's media elite perform the government's dirty work by spreading disinformation—including about Vidal himself—to the general public. As a result, Vidal spends much of this book refuting attacks from the mainstream media that portray him as anti-American, although his unabashed style gives readers final say in drawing their own conclusion. Regardless, faithful fans of Vidal will revel in his relentless adoration of Jeffersonian ideals and courageous dissection of the evil roots of American foreign policy. (Feb.)

Forecast:The many readers who snapped up Vidal's Perpetual War for Perpetual Peace will no doubt add this to their collection, too. Expect another bestseller.