Opinionated author, playwright and social commentator Gore Vidal is all about politics and civilization. An adept speaker, he's no wallflower when speaking about presidents Jimmy Carter is a liar; Ronald Reagan is an idiot that dyes his hair; George Bush, Sr. is a goofy marshmallow Perhaps best known for his caustic wit, Vidal's credits included the best-selling novel, Lincoln, and screenplay for Ben Hur.