About the Author

Gore Vidal is the author of many bestselling novels including Julian, Burr, Myra Breckinridge, and Lincoln. He lives in Italy.

Reviews

"Vidal is in fine form here. The Smithsonian Institution, perhaps because it frees him from having to write realistically, is a masterpiece of frenzied invention.-Chicago Tribune "Phantasmagoric."-The New York Times
"A high-spirited tour of American history, romance and Washington politics interpreted by Vidal's unique brand of social commentary. The Smithsonian Institution wins the literary lion a small victory in his running battle with Washington's pomposity by proving that humor is mightier than the sword."-The Denver Post
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Having astutely explored several historical periods in his fiction (Lincoln, etc.), Vidal has now produced an eccentric novel about a literal time machine and a boy who uses it to save the world (or one version of the world) from within the headquarters of Washington, D.C.'s public museum complex. On Good Friday, 1939, 13-year-old T. is summoned from his D.C. boarding school to the Mall for a mysterious meeting. It seems the outwardly average (if unusually attractive) young man has scribbled, in the margins of a math test, an equation that may be essential to the upcoming war effort. Cloistered with Oppenheimer, Einstein, Charles Lindbergh, the Founding Fathers and other historical personages who have been kept alive in the Smithsonian's magical exhibits, T. struggles to solve the mysteries of space-time, prevent the coming war (in which he is doomed to die) and hold on to cradle-robbing Frankie Cleveland, the immortal 22-year-old version of Grover's First Lady. Part Alice in Wonderland, part Twain's Mysterious Stranger, part fictionalized autobiography, this bagatelle reintroduces many of the characters and themes already treated in Vidal's historical novels and memoirs. T. bears at least enough resemblance to Vidal's well-publicized great love‘a St. Albans classmate who died at Iwo Jima‘to explain the novelist's obvious affection for him. If the tale of T. remains a mostly private, somewhat rueful joke, it will no doubt charm Vidal's most devoted readers. (Mar.)

In 1939, a 13-year-old mathematical genius is secretly summoned to the Smithsonian. The first surprise is that the exhibit dummies come to life after closing time; the second is when he's informed by the Chief Director (who has an uncanny resemblance to Abe Lincoln) that he's stumbled upon a formula for a powerful bomb, possibly the ultimate solution to the war in Europe. But the perceptive and sensitive youngster also has a knack for quantum physics and time travel; using the unique resources of the museum, perhaps he can change a few events in history so that World War II will never happen. The boy has a personal stake in this: he's seen himself as one of the casualties. Fans of Vidal's comic novels can expect the usual mixture of earthiness and erudition, though on a more restrained level; the novel provides the author with the chance to put words in the mouths of a dozen presidents, noted scientists, and pop culture heroes (Lindbergh makes an appearance, as does Walt Disney). Good fun, and sure to garner attention because of the high-profile author.‘Marc A. Kloszewski, Indiana Free Lib., PA

"Vidal is in fine form here. The Smithsonian Institution, perhaps because it frees him from having to write realistically, is a masterpiece of frenzied invention.-Chicago Tribune "Phantasmagoric."-The New York Times
"A high-spirited tour of American history, romance and Washington politics interpreted by Vidal's unique brand of social commentary. The Smithsonian Institution wins the literary lion a small victory in his running battle with Washington's pomposity by proving that humor is mightier than the sword."-The Denver Post
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