One of the best-known proponents of the Pearl Harbor conspiracy theory is the novelist, playwright, and man of letters Gore Vidal. His novel The Golden Age (2000) covers the period from 1939 to 1954.

As early as page 4, one of his characters, speaking of Roosevelt, declares, "He's going to get us into this thing. He thinks he's another Wilson, as if the original wasn't bad enough." The setting is Washington, D.C.; the characters are historical and fictional Washington insiders for whom gossip and rumors are meat and drink. As in his other historical novels, Vidal supplies a rich menu of both. For example, there is here the story that the Republican convention of 1940 has been manipulated by British agents, whose "dirty tricks" include the murder of the Republican in charge of credentials at the convention. The reason is that the next in line for the job was a Wendell Wilkie-supporter; the plot thereby helped to ensure Wilkie's nomination, rather than that of his rival Republican isolationists. Regardless of whether Wilkie or Roosevelt won the election, though, the American government would continue to support aid to Britain and eventual entry into the war.

Another example of the blending of history and fiction comes from the conversation of the fictional character Caroline Sanford, publisher of a major Washington paper, and the historical Harry Hopkins, Roosevelt's highly influential special assistant. Speaking of Japan's intentions before Pearl Harbor, Harry asserts, "We think they'll attack Manila, and if by some miracle they should manage to blow up that horse's ass MacArthur, our cup will truly runneth over." Later, Caroline speaks again to Harry, this time shortly after the attack:

'But you knew last night they would attack.'

'Attack yes, but not Pearl Harbor. Somewhere. In the southwest Pacific was my guess.'

Caroline knew that every word her friend was telling was being said for the record, for history--for the defense?

Without accepting the author's ideas, one can still enjoy the cleverness and wit of his presentation.

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