Narratives of Empire Books in Order
Historical FictionFictionHistory
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Gore Vidal's Narratives of Empire is a series of seven historical novels published between 1967 and 2000 that chronicle the development of the United States from its early formation to its later expansion, portraying the nation's history as an evolving imperial structure. The series is structured as a heptalogy, with each novel set in a distinct historical era. Central to the series are two fictional families whose lives intersect with real historical figures and events. The novels explore the acquisition, maintenance, and contestation of power within the context of American political and social change. Vidal uses the lives of complex, flawed individuals to examine the mechanisms of influence and authority throughout different periods of U.S. history. The series was originally intended to be titled American Chronicles, but Vidal preferred the designation Narratives of Empire.
Publication order
In the order the books were originally released.
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Buy on Amazon1967 · Gore Vidal
Washington, D.C. is a 1967 novel by Gore Vidal, the sixth in his Narratives of Empire series of historical novels. It begins in 1937 and continues…
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Buy on Amazon1973 · Gore Vidal
Burr: A Novel is a 1973 historical novel by Gore Vidal that reinterprets early American history through the perspective of Aaron Burr. The story is…
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Buy on Amazon1976 · Gore Vidal
1876 is the third novel in Gore Vidal's series of historical fiction that challenges traditional views of American history. The story takes place in…
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Buy on Amazon1984 · Gore Vidal
Lincoln: A Novel is a 1984 historical novel by Gore Vidal, part of the Narratives of Empire series. It covers Abraham Lincoln’s presidency from the…
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Buy on Amazon1987 · Gore Vidal
This novel by Gore Vidal follows Caroline Sanford, a newspaper owner from Washington, D.C., as she struggles to gain power and respect in a…
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Buy on Amazon1990 · Gore Vidal
Hollywood is the fifth novel in Gore Vidal's "Narratives of Empire," a series of six historical novels that serve as an extended biography of the…
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2000 · Gore Vidal
The Golden Age is a historical novel by Gore Vidal, published in 2000. It is the seventh and final novel in his Narratives of Empire series. (Summary…
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Frequently asked questions
What order should I read the Narratives of Empire books in?
Read them in publication order, starting with “Washington D.C.”. Start with “Washington D.C..”
How many books are in the Narratives of Empire series?
We list 7 books by Gore Vidal , published between 1967–2000.
Where can I buy the Narratives of Empire books?
Each title above links to Amazon. See our affiliate disclosure.
More series like Narratives of Empire
Reading order compiled from author/publisher guidance and verified bibliographic data. Spotted a wrong order, a missing book, or any other mistake? and we'll correct it.