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Vidal, Gore. Perpetual War for Perpetual Peace: How We Got to be So Hated. New York: Thunder's Mouth Press, 2002. 160pp. $10
It would be difficult to find a book on world affairs more contrary to the opinions of most readers of the Naval War College Review or other members of the American national security community than Gore Vidal's Perpetual War for Perpetual Peace.
As a military officer myself, I disagree with many of Vidal's assumptions and propositions, but the book is worthwhile because it challenges one to think about inconsistencies and issues in American foreign policy as well as domestic security. The book is extremely well written, as one would expect from a writer of Vidal's caliber, it is highly engaging, and most military professionals interested in American national security will probably find it easy to read (although fewer may find it easy to agree with).
Gore Vidai is a noted novelist, perhaps one of the most prominent living American authors. In 1943 he enlisted in the Navy and served in World War II, so his background lends relevant experience in military affairs. He wrote his commentary shortly after the 11 September attack, but after both Vanity Fair and The Nation declined it, a version of this book was printed in Italy, where it became a best-seller. After subsequent publication in Europe, Vidal was finally able to get the book published in its present form.
Perpetual War for Perpetual Peace contains seven chapters and an introduction, but much of the material predates "9/11," which is one...