Franklin Library leather edition of Gore Vidal's "Julian," a limited edition, one of the SIGNED 60 series, Personally SIGNED by GORE VIDAL, published in 1981.  Bound in royal blue leather, the book has blue/gray French moire silk end leaves, acid-free paper, a satin book marker, Symth-sewn binding, hubbed spine, gold gilding on three edges---in near FINE condition. Gore Vidal was born in 1925 when his father was teaching aeronautics at WEST POINT. Vidal graduated from Exeter Academy, enlisted in the army, and in 1946 accepted a job as editor for E.P. Dutton. "Julian," first published in 1964, is about the life and time of the Roman emperor Julian, ruler of the Roman Empire from A.D. 361--363. Julian's youth was embittered by the massacre of the males of the younger line of the Flavian family, he and his brother GALLUS alone being spared.  He lost faith in Christianity and in later years tried to undermine it, resulting in the church labelling him "The Apostate." When Julian ascended to the throne in 361, Rome had ruled the western world for almost four centuries.  The third century had been marked by instability on every front with disputed contest between rival military leaders and internal disorganization.  Diocletian (284-305) took important steps to counter these problems and his successor, CONSTANTINE the GREAT (306-337) largely shaped the state of the empire Julian inherited. "Julian" opens with Libanius writing to Pricus in A.D. 380, some seventeen years after the death of Julian. He has just received word of a new edict from the emperor THEODOSIUS that "the days of toleration are over."  Libanius and Priscus are completely diverting and differentiated characters. Libanius is a devout, classical pagan, while Priscus is pragmatic-minded and level-headed and physically vain. Old age has not dulled these two crotchety characters!   The historical novel appeared on the NEW YORK TIMES bestseller list for several months. 493 pages.  I offer Combined shipping.