Reread the book in the aftermath of the 2000 election. There is some comfort in the old nostrum, nothing new under the sun. ( )

I finished the book 2 days after the still undecided 2020 US election. Parts of 1876 mirrored the current situation (too close for comfort). Interesting read about an important election often brushed over in American history. A good sign of a good history book is if I ended up googling lots of facts and figures. I did that a lot in this book. ( )

I recently heard that approximately 80% of Americans have not read (or even listened to) a book in the past year. Considering the ease with which we can now access books and the variety of formats available, I find this sad and troubling if true.
Friends and family members will comment that I am making up for the lack of reading among my countrymen (well this might be true since this is the 36th book I read this year). Hopefully, a review may spark some interest in a book readers may otherwise have overlooked. One should not feel tied to a "best- seller" list to enjoy reading pleasure.
This novel was published in 1976, during the Bicentennial. As I remember, Bicentennial celebrations and battle reenactments were an important part of recognizing the history of our country and most people were very excited about it.. Therefore, I expected the Centennial Exhibition to feature prominently in this book, but it was only mentioned briefly as a back-drop to what the story was really about- politics! That is, the corruption scandals surrounding President Grant's Administration, his decision not to seek a 3rd term, the Republican and Democratic Conventions of 1876, the Election of 1876 and the Inauguration of President Rutherford B. Hayes.
The story takes place in NYC and Washington D.C., and is seen through the eyes of the narrator, a fictitious reporter named Charles Schuyler who works for the NY Herald, headed by the very real and infamous James Gordon Bennet.
Although the character of Charles Schuyler is fictitious, most of the characters in the book lived at the time and were part of the NY and Washington social and political scene. Some of the historical figures who make appearances as characters are: the Astors, Vanderbilts, Garfields, and Grants, as well as Mark Twain, William Cullens Bryant and Victor Hugo.
Although Vidal takes liberties with these historical figures as "characters" in the book, many incidents did really happen. For instance, James ("Jamie") Bennett was the owner and publisher of the New York Herald who actually funded the search for Dr. Livingston, as well as a doomed search for the Northwest passage through the Arctic Circle, solely to increase readership of his paper.
Vidal does a great job of humorously recounting his many misadventures, including his visit to his fiancee's home on New Year's Day in 1877 (see page 321). I have read about this visit elsewhere, and resulted in Bennett's self- imposed exile to Europe out of shame and possible murder by her family members.
Mostly though, the book dramatically recounts the turmoil surrounding the contested election between Samuel Tilden and Rutherford Hayes (whom the characters refer to as both "Rutherfraud" and "His Fraudulency"). As mentioned before, the book is written through the eyes of a reporter who openly supports Tilden in the hope of attaining a post in his administration. Therefore, Vidal, a political activist and one time Democratic Candidate, makes biting observations regarding not only the social elite (of which he was a part), politics, and journalists, many of which made me chuckle such as:
"I have always found it strange that a nation whose prosperity is based entirely upon cheap immigrant labor should be so unrelentingly xenophobic" (p. 280).

"Explain to me sir", said the workman, "in what way is this election differs from that infamous election where Louis Napoleon destroyed the French republic and made himself emperor" (p. 314)

and then, as now, a toast to "good government!" (p. 346)

The book is historically accurate and no matter what your political leanings you will enjoy this book if you are interested in historical fiction. ( )

My first book by Gore Vidal and I thought it very insightful, humorous, and informative. Charles Schuyler and his widowed daughter, Emma, has returned to the United States after spending thirty years in France. Things have changed! Schuyler has worked as a journalist in France for American papers; now he is returning to find his daughter a new husband. They both receive welcomes from the elite of New York City and are invited to all the best parties. Emma soon finds herself pursued by the boring, proper, and financially secure John Apgar who she agrees to marry because she does like him - nothing about love ever enters the picture. Charles meanwhile writes free lance for a variety of papers including the New York Times and the NY Harold. A cast of all of New York's best plays a part.

President Grant(Republican) is in office and while he was a Civil War hero, his administration is raft with corruption and he is no longer popular much to his chagrin. Samuel Tilden is predicted to be the Democratic candidate for the election of 1876 but the Republican nominee is up for grabs. Politicians, socialites, journalists, senators, and military veterans all have their ideas.

Gore does an excellent job of telling the story of the very corrupt election of 1876 in a thoroughly enjoyable way. Although, I must admit many of the political characters become confusing toward the end of the book. This is the first election where the popular vote which was won by Tilden was overturned by the electorial vote.

A great book to read in light of today's political scene - corruption was everywhere as everyone grabbed for their bit of power or money. Many of Charles Schuyler's thoughts could apply today.
Interesting book. Makes me want to read more Vidal. ( )

Historical fiction about the presidential election of 1876, full of corruption, threatening chaos and the destruction of the country. It was engagingly written with a vividly presented cast of characters. ( )