# Quote — Gore Vidal, United States

> In fact, the French - who read and theorise the most - became so addicted to political experiment that in the two centuries since our own rather drab revolution they have exuberantly produced one Directory, one Consulate, two empires, three restorations of the monarchy, and five republics. That's what happens when you take writing too seriously.

- Author: [Gore Vidal](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gore-vidal.md)
- Book: [United States](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gore-vidal/united-states.md)
- Source: [Wikiquote](https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Gore_Vidal#United_States_-_Essays_1952%E2%80%931992_(1992)) ([CC BY-SA 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/))
- Quote page: https://www.leafyquotes.com/gore-vidal/united-states/in-fact-the

## More from this book

> Current is also outraged by a reference to Lincoln's bowels, whose 'frequency,' he tells us, 'cannot be documented.' But, of course, they can. 'Truth-teller' Herndon tells us that Lincoln was chronically constipated and depended on a laxative called bluemass. Since saints do not have bowels, Current finds all this sacrilegious; hence 'wrong.'

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gore-vidal/united-states/current-is-also.md)

> World events are the work of individuals whose motives are often frivolous, even casual.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gore-vidal/united-states/world-events-are.md)

> Basler finds my Lincoln the 'phoniest historical novel I have ever had the pleasure of reading.'... Also, 'more than half the book could never have happened as told.' Unfortunately, he doesn't say which half. If I knew, we could then cut it free from the phony half and publish the result as Basler's Vidal's Lincoln.

[Quote page](https://www.leafyquotes.com/gore-vidal/united-states/basler-finds-my-lincoln.md)