A look back through the archives at TIME’s environmental hero and Nobel Peace Prize winner
Man in Bloom
Al Gore, Academy Award and Nobel Prize-winner — and former Vice President of the United States — has just published a new book, The Assault on Reason.Steve Pyke for TIME
Nominated
With Bill Clinton at the Democratic National Convention in 1992. Clinton and Gore would win the White House in the fall, defeating incumbent Republicans George H.W. Bush and Dan Quayle.Steve Liss for TIME
Lunch Buddies
As Vice President, Gore met weekly for lunch with President Clinton.P.F. Bentley for TIME
Conferring
On an elevator with Clinton in the White House during the final days of the administration.Diana Walker for TIME
Dark Cloud
As Clinton became more deeply entangled in the Monica Lewinsky scandal, Gore distanced himself from his long-time political partner.Diana Walker for TIME
New Friends
In 2000, Gore, along with Vice Presidential nominee Joe Lieberman, made their own run for the White House.Diana Walker for TIME
Last Minute Reprieve
The 2000 election was so close that it came down to a handful of disputed votes in Florida. In this image, Gore and Lieberman, with a concession speech in hand, learn that the results have come under question and abort conceding to Bush.Callie Shell / The White House
Controversy
The case of the disputed votes went all the way to the Supreme Court, which decided in favor of the Republican Bush.Manny Ceneta / AFP / Getty
Back on the Street
A private citizen once again, Gore turned his attention to his passion for promoting environmental awareness.Callie Shell / Aurora for TIME
Documentarian
Gore warns of the hazards of climate change in the film, An Inconvenient Truth, which earned him and his producers an Academy Award in February 2007.Paramount / AP
Elder Statesman
The Gores speak to winning and losing Democrats on election night 2002. Gore talks to Lincoln Davis of Tennessee, a winner, while Tipper consoles Jeanne Shaheen, of New Hampshire.Callie Shell / Aurora for TIME
Childhood
At the age of 3, with (from left) his sister Nancy, father Al Gore, Sr., and mother Pauline.Ed Clark / Time Life Pictures / Getty
A Wide Open Future
Gore in his office in May 2007.Steve Pyke for TIME
Vietnam
Private Gore poses with a group of soldiers in 1971. He is in the back row, second from right.AP
Tying the Knot
Tipper and Al chat with his parents on their wedding day in 1970.AP
Family
The Gores have three daughters (from left) Sarah, Kristin and Karenna, photographed here (by Tipper) with Al in 1985.Tipper Gore
Candidate
Gore quit law school in 1976 to run for the U.S. House of Representatives in Tennessee's fourth district.Jeffrey Markowitz / Sygma / Corbis
Aspirations
In 1988, Gore, by now a U.S. Senator, took a run at the White House, but lost the party's nomination to Michael Dukakis.Curtis Compton / Bettmann / Corbis
Can You Hear Me Now?
Conferring on the phone during his bid for the presidency.Bruno Torres / Bettmann / Corbis
Green Peas
While in Congress Gore fought to improve food labeling. Here he demonstrates that the spoonful of canned peas in his hand contains the same amount of salt as the 250 ounces of fresh peas on his desk.Susan T. Mcelhinney
