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**FILE** Author Gore Vidal tosses barbs in all directions as he discusses Hollywood unions, politics, lecturing and publicizing books during an interview in Los Angeles on Dec. 9, 1974. Vidal died July 31, 2012, at his home in Los Angeles. He was 86. (Associated Press)

Gore Vidal, celebrated author, playwright, dies at 86

By Andrew Dalton and Hillel Italie - Associated Press

Gore Vidal was among the last generation of literary writers who were also genuine celebrities — regulars on talk shows and in gossip columns, personalities of such size and appeal that even those who hadn’t read their books knew their names. He was 86 when he died Tuesday at his home in Los Angeles. Throughout his life, he picked apart politicians, living and dead; mocked religion and prudery; opposed wars and insulted his peers like no other. (Associated Press)

Gore Vidal challenged power but never held it

By Hillel Italie