He was considered one of America's greatest writers, a man whose novels and essays powered the New Left through the 1960's and 70's with shattering prose and unforgettable characters raging against the establishment with shockingly violent imagery and macho sexual braggadocio.But Norman Mailer, who died at the age of 84 yesterday, was also a self absorbed, self aggrandizing peacock of a man whose personal life and political activity encapsulated the "If it feels good, do it" generation which contributed in no small way to the coarsening of American culture and the poisoning of our politics:He was widely known as a drinker and brawler, womanizer, political campaigner, social critic, talk-show guest, self-promoter and symbol of male chauvinism. He had six wives and nine children. As a writer, Mailer produced novels, essays, social commentaries, movie scripts and nonfiction narratives about national events and public figures. His subjects included ancient Egypt, political...(Read Full Post)