Rome ... at its most decadent, had never thought of hiring an actor to go through the motions of being an emperor while the Praetorian Guard ruled.

I write in different styles because I hear different voices in my head. It would be boring to have always the same voice, point of view.

I don't seem to be cynical to myself but how what I say goes down with others is their problem. I'm realistic.

A writer represents his family history. My grandfather was a senator and my father served in the Roosevelt administration. In other words, I grew up in politics. This is why it seemed perfectly natural to take part in the battles of my time, and to participate in the writing of the history of my country.

What we are is seldom what we want to be, while what we want to be is either denied us or changes with the seasons.

Realism has always been called cynicism.

Vitriolic really is personal. I am vitriolic. I am savage.