There is no shortage of sources to find laudatory outpouring for the remarkable writer and unique personality that was two-time Pulitzer winner Norman Mailer, who passed away this weekend at the age of 84. Charles McGrath in the New York Times, Christopher Hitchens for Slate and Gawker's Choire Sicha (who references a Mailer quote at the Y in 1998), to name a few, all find fitting words for a man of such impossible stature. Born the son of Jewish parents in Long Branch, NJ, he would become a literary giant for six decades, with a talent-matching ego, leaving an unforgettable trail of accomplishments, controversies and cultural sideshows including a run for New York City mayor.

Taped for the Charlie Rose Show, the video above is from one of Mailer's many appearances at the 92nd Street Y. His first was on January 7, 1960 in a program titled "Dialogues on the Art of Fiction" with Gore Vidal and H. L. Humes. The audio recording below contains three clips from a more recent reading on September 20, 2004. In addition to presenting poetry, Mailer offers his thoughts on writing, smoking, Bush, Rove and American stupidity.

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