Vidal speaking at the National Book Awards in 2009. (AP Photo/Tina Fineberg)

Gore Vidal, who passed away yesterday at the age of 86, was nothing if not a man of words. Beyond his prolific writings, he was also an active debater and interviewee. Below is but a small sampling of some of those debates and interviews.

Norman Mailer vs. Gore Vidal

William F. Buckley vs. Gore Vidal

On Charlie Rose, 1994

On Charlie Rose, 2009

Extended Interview, 2002

On Ali G

Americans, Your Lack of Education Is The Joke Of The World