The Golden Age (London novel)

The Golden Age is a 1959 novel by Gore Vidal. Set in 1939 and onwards, primarily in the United States, it presents a fictionalized account of American politics and society leading up to and including World War II, with significant attention given to the perspectives of characters involved in journalism, diplomacy, and high society. The novel is part of Vidal's Narratives of Empire series, though it chronologically precedes the other novels in that series, acting as a kind of prequel.

The narrative is told primarily through the eyes of Peter Sanford, a fictional journalist who observes and interacts with historical figures such as Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Wendell Willkie, and Charles Lindbergh. The story explores the complex political machinations surrounding America's entry into the war, focusing on Roosevelt's strategies to overcome isolationist sentiment and maneuver the country toward intervention.

Key themes explored in The Golden Age include the use and manipulation of propaganda, the nature of power and influence in political circles, the moral compromises made in the name of national security, and the blurring lines between truth and perception during a time of global crisis. Vidal's signature style of satirical commentary and revisionist history is prominent, challenging conventional understandings of the period and questioning the motives of historical figures. The novel offers a critical, often cynical, perspective on the American political landscape and its leaders.