The end of the Spanish-American War brings about a feeling of great hope and limitless possibility for citizens of the United States. Gore Vidal captures this spirit and energy in Empire. In this novel, Vidal focuses on the early days of the United States press and its ability to quickly gain credibility and power. The main figures in Empire are William Randolph Hearst and the fictional Caroline Sanford. This book is a great introduction to the writing of Vidal, the greatest living historical novelist. | Empire by Gore Vidal, Paperback | Indigo Chapters