United States: Essays 1952–1992 by Gore Vidal — Unabridged Audiobook
United States: Essays 1952–1992 is Gore Vidal’s selection of essays spanning four decades, presented here as an unabridged audiobook narrated by Jeff Cummings. Its literary, political and personal subjects make it a wide-ranging listen, though the full programme runs for more than 60 hours.
At a glance
- Vidal selected essays from 40 years of work, covering about two-thirds of his magazine and journal essays, according to the listing.
- The collection is arranged around literature, public life and personal responses to people and events.
- Listed as an unabridged audiobook narrated by Jeff Cummings.
Reference price: $41.41
Price checked: 12 Nov 2026
View offerAhead of Black FridayExplore the selectionPros and cons
Pros
- Wide-ranging subject matter spans literary criticism, US politics and public figures, and personal recollections.
- The unabridged format preserves the full listed programme rather than presenting an abridgement.
Cons
- The 60-hour-and-15-minute running time is a substantial commitment.
Technical specifications
8 specifications| Author | Gore Vidal |
|---|---|
| Narrator | Jeff Cummings |
| Listening length | 60 hours and 15 minutes |
| Programme type | Audiobook |
| Version | Unabridged |
| Language | English |
| Publication date | 31 December 2019 |
| Publisher | Brilliance Audio |
Who is it for?
A good fit for
- Listeners looking for Gore Vidal’s essays on literature, politics and cultural life in one long-form audiobook.
- Readers interested in essays published across several decades and grouped by literary, political and personal themes.
Less suited to
- Listeners seeking a short introduction or a narrowly focused collection.
Customer reviews on Amazon
- 5 stars
81% 81% - 4 stars
16% 16% - 3 stars
2% 2% - 2 stars
1% 1% - 1 star
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Customer feedback highlights the writing, range of literary, political and cultural subjects, relevance across a long span of national events, and Vidal’s humour. The essay quality also draws mixed reactions. For a 60-hour collection covering several themes, the positive comments suggest breadth is a draw, while the mixed response means individual essays may not appeal equally to every listener.
Positive themes
- Customers praise the writing and the breadth of the essays.
- Feedback highlights the collection’s relevance across a long span of national events.
- Customers appreciate Vidal’s humour and sharp critiques.
Mixed feedback
- Customer reactions to the quality of individual essays are mixed.
Frequently asked questions
Who narrates this audiobook?
The listing names Jeff Cummings as narrator.
How long is the audiobook?
The listed listening length is 60 hours and 15 minutes.
What subjects do the essays cover?
The collection includes literary topics, politics and public life, and personal responses to people and events.
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