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Burr: A Novel Paperback – February 15, 2000

4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,320 ratings

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For readers who can’t get enough of the hit Broadway musical Hamilton, Gore Vidal’s stunning novel about Aaron Burr, the man who killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel—and who served as a successful, if often feared, statesman of our fledgling nation.   

Here is an extraordinary portrait of one of the most complicated—and misunderstood—figures among the Founding Fathers. In 1804, while serving as vice president, Aaron Burr fought a duel with his political nemesis, Alexander Hamilton, and killed him. In 1807, he was arrested, tried, and acquitted of treason. In 1833, Burr is newly married, an aging statesman considered a monster by many. But he is determined to tell his own story, and he chooses to confide in a young New York City journalist named Charles Schermerhorn Schuyler. Together, they explore both Burr's past—and the continuing civic drama of their young nation.
 
Burr is the first novel in Gore Vidal's Narratives of Empire series, which spans the history of the United States from the Revolution to post-World War II. With their broad canvas and sprawling cast of fictional and historical characters, these novels present a panorama of American politics and imperialism, as interpreted by one of our most incisive and ironic observers.
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"Dazzling. . . . Burr is wicked entertainment of a very high order."
--The New York Times Book Review

"A tragedy, a comedy, a vibrant, leg-kicking life. . . . All of this and much, much more is told in a highly engaging book that teems with bon mots, aphorisms and ironic comments on the political process. . . . Enlightening, fresh and fun."  --The Boston Globe

"A novel of Stendhalian proportions. . . . It is probably impossible to be an American and not be fascinated and impressed by Vidal's telescoping of our early history. . . . Always absorbing." --The New Yorker

From the Inside Flap

Gore Vidal's Narratives of Empire series spans the history of the United States from the Revolution to the post-World War II years. With their broad canvas and large cast of fictional and historical characters, the novels in this series present a panorama of the American political and imperial experience as interpreted by one of its most worldly, knowing, and ironic observers.

Burr is a portrait of perhaps the most complex and misunderstood of the Founding Fathers. In 1804, while serving as vice president, Aaron Burr fought a duel with his political nemesis, Alexander Hamilton, and killed him. In 1807, he was arrested, tried, and acquitted of treason. In 1833, Burr is newly married, an aging statesman considered a monster by many. Burr retains much of his political influence if not the respect of all. And he is determined to tell his own story. As his amanuensis, he chooses Charles Schermerhorn Schuyler, a young New York City journalist, and together they explore both Burr's past and the continuing political intrigues of the still young United States.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Vintage; Reprint edition (February 15, 2000)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 448 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0375708731
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0375708732
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 12.8 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.25 x 0.98 x 7.9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 1,320 ratings

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4.4 out of 5 stars
1,320 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book entertaining and interesting. They appreciate the author's approach to history and the insights it provides. The writing quality is praised as good, witty, and readable. Readers appreciate the realistic characters and honest portrayal of early presidents and lawmakers. The visual style is described as charming and engaging. However, some customers feel the print size could be larger.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

101 customers mention "Enjoyment"95 positive6 negative

Customers enjoy the book. They find it interesting, entertaining, and fun for history buffs. The book provides vivid and charming views of old New York. Readers praise the writing as well-crafted and rewarding.

"A thoroughly magnificent book. I knew little of Aaron Burr before reading this work...." Read more

"...He is witty and sarcastic and rakish, and he fits well into the "sane man in an insane world" motif...." Read more

"...]I had to read this riveting, stupendous book twice to fully appreciate the wealth of information on the life of the..." Read more

"...He calls Thomas Jefferson'Massa Tom'. It is an interesting read. All historical fiction iis." Read more

90 customers mention "Historical fiction"80 positive10 negative

Customers appreciate the book's historical fiction. They find it an engaging and creative way to explore history from a different perspective. The book sheds light on our earliest political figures and adds balance to the narrative taught in school.

"...But as a piece that deeply and entertainingly explores and debunks America's early history, Burr is magnificent. I'd recommend it." Read more

"...It's a thriller and a thoroughly enjoyable read...." Read more

"...that to the best I could determine, Vidal took no liberties with the historical facts...." Read more

"...This is history told from a different lens and how Burr was a founding father and competition between men can shape a country...." Read more

52 customers mention "Insight"52 positive0 negative

Customers find the book interesting and thought-provoking. They say it's informative and engrossing, making you feel smart for reading it.

"...But as a piece that deeply and entertainingly explores and debunks America's early history, Burr is magnificent. I'd recommend it." Read more

"...Certainly not the last word on Burr but enough startling facts to keep the pages turning and the night lamp on." Read more

"...his own children in slavery, etc... yet its still very humorous and fun...." Read more

"A Vidal masterpiece. So many interesting, unexpected and different perspectives on the men (and women) who were the foundation of our nation and..." Read more

35 customers mention "Writing quality"30 positive5 negative

Customers enjoy the writing style. They find it witty, readable, and engaging. The author provides humorous dialogue that reads like fiction.

"...Characters (3 stars) - Aaron Burr is drawn well. He is witty and sarcastic and rakish, and he fits well into the "sane man in an insane world"..." Read more

"I have re-read this book several times. It's well written, and it provides a really interesting alternative take on American History...." Read more

"...of some of the leading founders of America with humor and sarcasm, causing me to laugh out loud at times...." Read more

"...The book is, like all Gore Vidal's work, well written and devoid of pretentiousness...." Read more

21 customers mention "Character development"18 positive3 negative

Customers find the book's character development realistic and fascinating. They appreciate the honest portrayal of historical figures and their personalities. The fictitious narrator helps develop the historical characters.

"...It is a honest portrayal. He calls Thomas Jefferson'Massa Tom'. It is an interesting read. All historical fiction iis." Read more

"...a pulsating political and frenzied social world with a large cast of characters that would do Dickens proud, each clearly defined, each bursting..." Read more

"...Personally, I found the character quite believable and actually quite sympathetic...." Read more

"...The book gives a wonderful history and also adds a lot of fictional characters mixed in with historical characters...." Read more

10 customers mention "Visual style"10 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's visual style. They find it engaging and vivid, with charming views of old New York. The author paints a vivid picture of the times and places, making them come alive with delightful details. Readers feel the era is captured well, making the book a masterpiece.

"...This is a good historical novel with vivid scenery and the fact that Martin Van Burden maybe his illegitimate son...." Read more

"...The places come alive with his delightful details, such as historical figures walking to the courthouse while pigs run wild in the street...." Read more

"...Vivid, delectable, charming views of old New York and - most of all - of Aaron Burr, the anti-Hamilton whose story has been vilified over the years...." Read more

"...His style is first-person in an engaging way." Read more

22 customers mention "Pacing"8 positive14 negative

Customers have different views on the pacing of the book. Some find it entertaining and informative, with Vidal's skills well-shown and great attention to detail. Others find it slow and tedious at times, making it difficult to finish.

"...Yes most all of the basics were surely in there but I found it very slow reading and for me personally very tedious...." Read more

"...Experience and the desolation of our Trump era has sharpened my appreciation of this seminal work...." Read more

"...because the actors all seem to play the same character and things move much too fast...." Read more

"...Detailed, tedious and even difficult at times. Nevertheless well worth the effort!" Read more

11 customers mention "Print size"2 positive9 negative

Customers find the print size of the book too small for them to read comfortably for long periods. They also mention that the presentation is too long and boring at times.

"I could not read this book as the print was almost microscopic! I will have to find this book in another format!" Read more

"...unlike the strictly historical books on Burr and his life this presentation was long and in many places boring...." Read more

"Very long and at times difficult to keep track of which timeframe you are in because both Burr and the journalist interviewer talk in first person...." Read more

"Smaller print for the blind reader was a turnoff. Thank goodness the writing is first-rate." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on December 28, 2024
    A thoroughly magnificent book. I knew little of Aaron Burr before reading this work. However, I intend to read deeply into Burr’s life thanks to Vidal’s scholarship.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2013
    1) Plot (3 stars) - In mid-1800s New York, an ambitious young journalist hoping to make a name for himself interviews the disgraced old rascal Aaron Burr and uncovers the secret truth of America's beginnings. Half of the book is about the ambitious young journalist, which I skimmed because it wasn't especially interesting. The other half was Burr's recounting of America's infancy, which I read thoroughly for the alternative take on history was fascinating.

    2) Characters (3 stars) - Aaron Burr is drawn well. He is witty and sarcastic and rakish, and he fits well into the "sane man in an insane world" motif. The other character is Charlie, Burr's biographer, who seemed to be mostly a vehicle for Burr's retelling and was not as interesting or detailed.

    3) Theme (4 stars) - A big message here is that American history is fraught with mythology, same as any culture. The winners become gods when they write the history books, and the losers are cast as villains or clowns. I can appreciate that message, as most of the time I like messy truths over polished lies. But I also think mythology plays an important role in human life, and I didn't see Vidal explore the need for historic lies at all. Instead, he seemed to focus just on the fact that our culture's gods were selfish, cunning, foolish men who followed base desires, and never discussed our culture's need to not believe this. That caveat aside, the research that went into debunking these myths was impressive.

    4) Voice (4 stars) - Vidal is obviously intelligent, and it shines through in the diction, references, and psychological insights of his prose. But some sections felt gossipy, and I wondered why he lowered his intelligent gaze so frequently to these hollow topics.

    5) Setting (3 stars) - The setting toggled between mid-1800s New York City and late 1700s revolutionary America. Both eras and locations were described well, but I didn't necessarily feel "transported" to either.

    6) Overall (4 stars) - As a novel of struggle and drama and character relations, I felt Burr came up a little short. But as a piece that deeply and entertainingly explores and debunks America's early history, Burr is magnificent. I'd recommend it.
    12 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2011
    Margaret Moncrieffe; the First Love of Aaron Burr: A Romance of the RevolutionI had to read this riveting, stupendous book twice to fully appreciate the wealth of information on the life of the real Aaron Burr, not the villain that history and our schools have fed us all. It's a thriller and a thoroughly enjoyable read.

    I would like to share three more fascinating and insightful books on Burr: Fallen Founder: The Life of Aaron Burr 2007; Jefferson's Vendetta: The Pursuit of Aaron Burr and the Judiciary 2005;Margaret Moncrieffe; the First Love of Aaron Burr: A Romance of the Revolution first published in 1860. This book has been restored and scanned.

    Nancy Isenberg and Joseph Wheelan's documentaries are based on the most recent research on Aaron Burr and corroborate and extend most of the ideas in Vidal's book. But the real surprise was a citation by Isenberg of a formerly "lost" book authored by Charles Burdett, one of the real Burr's adoptive sons and whose description almost perfectly fits that of Charlie Schuyler, the main character in BURR. What was so delicious for me in discovering this book is that Gore Vidal says in BURR that Charlie Schuyler is the only fictitious character in his story. But alas, here is the real Charlie, Aaron Burr's real adoptive son. Charles Burdett's book is the actual biography that the fictional Charlie Schuyler was writing in BURR. This book was rediscovered and the original has been meticulously scanned to produce the current book.

    One criticism I have about Vidal's book, however, is the insinuation that Burr had an incestuous relationship with his daughter Theodosia. Vidal admitted in an interview that he made this up for dramatic effect, but that he based his notion on his research and his own opinion. Isenberg refutes this idea partly, explaining it all more in the light of the Enlightenment's different set of values, as well as the very progressive philosophy Burr and his wife subscribed to in the education of their daughter, who was the best educated woman of that era in America. Because Vidal said it, though, it has rather perpetuated Burr's image as a villain, without being established as fact. This is my only criticism.

    Gore Vidal's BURR has been a watershed moment in uncovering the smear campaign of Aaron Burr throughout history, begun by Jefferson and Hamilton because they felt so threatened by Burr. He is truly our lost - and most interesting- founding father, and the major reason the Supreme Court's balance of power was preserved amid Jefferson's assaults on the Constitution.
    18 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2010
    Aaron Burr, for those with even a modest knowledge of American History - and I include myself in that category, is usually quickly dismissed in polite conversation was a very negative connotation. After all he was the man that killed Alexander Hamilton in a duel, wanted to become the Emperor of Mexico and was tried for treason. Therefore let's not waste our time on this individual since he was, well, like the loud drunken uncle at a family reunion, someone to be barely acknowledged but avoided whenever possible.

    Burr by Gore Vidal presents a fuller, more nuance picture of the man. Vidal invents an earnest writer who is paid to interview Burr during the last months of his life. Thought numerous "flashbacks" Burr/Vidal reviews and discussed the numerous events of his quite remarkable military and political life.

    Unless the reader was familiar with the true facts of Burr's life it would be reasonable to question how many liberties Vidal took with the truth in order to produce this lively and engrossing novel. If you are going to read this book I would strongly suggest you read about Burr before hand. I looked up his entry in the Wikipedia and they have a very detailed entry as you may expect. It is quite remarkable that to the best I could determine, Vidal took no liberties with the historical facts. The author states as much in an afterward at the end of the book.

    Certainly not the last word on Burr but enough startling facts to keep the pages turning and the night lamp on.
    5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Mónica Salinas
    5.0 out of 5 stars A. Burr
    Reviewed in Mexico on December 5, 2023
    El libro está en ingles pero es perfecto
  • Silviozs_G
    5.0 out of 5 stars Dramatização brilhante sobre o nascimento de um país.
    Reviewed in Brazil on November 9, 2021
    Em Burr, Gore Vidal descreve, com riqueza de detalhes, os últimos anos da vida do Coronel Aaron Burr, terceiro vice-presidente norte-americano, herói da guerra de independência contra o Império britânico, cuja trajetória controversa suscita desprezo de boa parte da comunidade política americana. Herói ou traidor?
    Estamos diante de um trabalho de pesquisa histórica fiel aos acontecimentos que pontuaram a vida pessoal e política de um dos maiores republicanos no tecido político norte-americano, além de um poder de absoluto controle de recursos literários, típicos de um dos mais brilhantes romancistas da América do século XX. A humanidade, em sua virtude e em seus delitos, exposta de maneira contundente, certeira e pungente, através do olhar crítico do genial Gore Vidal.
    Customer image
    Silviozs_G
    5.0 out of 5 stars Dramatização brilhante sobre o nascimento de um país.
    Reviewed in Brazil on November 9, 2021
    Em Burr, Gore Vidal descreve, com riqueza de detalhes, os últimos anos da vida do Coronel Aaron Burr, terceiro vice-presidente norte-americano, herói da guerra de independência contra o Império britânico, cuja trajetória controversa suscita desprezo de boa parte da comunidade política americana. Herói ou traidor?
    Estamos diante de um trabalho de pesquisa histórica fiel aos acontecimentos que pontuaram a vida pessoal e política de um dos maiores republicanos no tecido político norte-americano, além de um poder de absoluto controle de recursos literários, típicos de um dos mais brilhantes romancistas da América do século XX. A humanidade, em sua virtude e em seus delitos, exposta de maneira contundente, certeira e pungente, através do olhar crítico do genial Gore Vidal.
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  • Colin Sinfield
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 13, 2024
    Just a fantastic read and a fascinating story.
  • rosen
    5.0 out of 5 stars Sehr gut
    Reviewed in Germany on August 11, 2024
    Sehr gut
  • Mys M
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly Enjoyable Read
    Reviewed in Canada on February 11, 2021
    Vidal's portrayal of Aaron Burr was extensively researched over about a decade and gives a very different picture of a man condemned in his time and by history for killing Alexander Hamilton in a duel in a secluded spot in Jersey; duelling was illegal at the time.  A statue of Hamilton was erected on the spot and he was basically canonized while Burr was vilified although it was a fair duel and fought over a serious outrage.
    The story of Burr is being told by a young law clerk, one Charles Schuyler, in the offices of Burr & Sill beginning in the year 1833 as Burr, age 77, was about to embark on a second marriage.  Schuyler tells the events himself from this point on but engages Burr in his reminiscences of past adventures in the Continental army, legal battles, his love life, politics, land speculations, his time as Jefferson's vice-president and, of course, his infamous duel with Hamilton.  Surprisingly, Burr appears to have no rancour toward those who have thwarted his ambitions, slandered him, or rose above him through infamy but gives a straightforward, witty retelling of events with great aplomb and often nostalgia.  Certainly, he lived in exciting times and knew all the major players of the founding of the United States of America.
    Burr's (or Vidal's) views on John Adams, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson are quite different than what are those commonly held. Certainly, Burr, in this instance, is seen to esteem his nemesis Hamilton higher than those generally considered the great founding fathers.
    While it took me longer than usual to digest this book, I think that was more due to lack of reading time rather than it being hard to get through.  Schuyler's activities as a potential contributor to various magazines and pamphlets and his attempt to draw information from Burr in order to establish a parental connection between Burr and future president Martin Van Buren contribute greatly to the colour of the times and the events are well told and not difficult to follow.  This is the first of a 7-volume series, Narratives of Empire that covers from 1771 - the early 1950s, but it's a great place to start especially if you've seen Hamilton.  A thoroughly enjoyable read.
    Customer image
    Mys M
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly Enjoyable Read
    Reviewed in Canada on February 11, 2021
    Vidal's portrayal of Aaron Burr was extensively researched over about a decade and gives a very different picture of a man condemned in his time and by history for killing Alexander Hamilton in a duel in a secluded spot in Jersey; duelling was illegal at the time.  A statue of Hamilton was erected on the spot and he was basically canonized while Burr was vilified although it was a fair duel and fought over a serious outrage.
    The story of Burr is being told by a young law clerk, one Charles Schuyler, in the offices of Burr & Sill beginning in the year 1833 as Burr, age 77, was about to embark on a second marriage.  Schuyler tells the events himself from this point on but engages Burr in his reminiscences of past adventures in the Continental army, legal battles, his love life, politics, land speculations, his time as Jefferson's vice-president and, of course, his infamous duel with Hamilton.  Surprisingly, Burr appears to have no rancour toward those who have thwarted his ambitions, slandered him, or rose above him through infamy but gives a straightforward, witty retelling of events with great aplomb and often nostalgia.  Certainly, he lived in exciting times and knew all the major players of the founding of the United States of America.
    Burr's (or Vidal's) views on John Adams, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson are quite different than what are those commonly held. Certainly, Burr, in this instance, is seen to esteem his nemesis Hamilton higher than those generally considered the great founding fathers.
    While it took me longer than usual to digest this book, I think that was more due to lack of reading time rather than it being hard to get through.  Schuyler's activities as a potential contributor to various magazines and pamphlets and his attempt to draw information from Burr in order to establish a parental connection between Burr and future president Martin Van Buren contribute greatly to the colour of the times and the events are well told and not difficult to follow.  This is the first of a 7-volume series, Narratives of Empire that covers from 1771 - the early 1950s, but it's a great place to start especially if you've seen Hamilton.  A thoroughly enjoyable read.
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