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Sam Tanenhaus’s New Biography Illuminates William F. Buckley Jr.’s Role in Shaping Modern Conservatism

This study casts new light on Buckley’s high-profile ideological battles alongside previously unexplored facets of his private life.

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Overview

  • Born into a wealthy isolationist family, Buckley spent his early years abroad before settling in Connecticut where he developed his trademark eloquence and combative spirit.
  • At Yale he honed his debate style and in 1955 founded National Review to champion free-market policies and formalize conservative ideology.
  • His confrontational rhetoric reached wide audiences in a famed 1965 debate with James Baldwin at Cambridge University that showcased his ad hominem tactics.
  • On the long-running PBS series Firing Line, Buckley extended his influence by pioneering in-depth political conversations that prefigured modern podcasts.
  • Tanenhaus’s research reveals how Buckley’s views evolved over time, notably stepping back from overt antisemitism after the Six-Day War while nurturing a more genial private persona.