A Man and His Presidents: The Political Odyssey of William F. Buckley Jr.

by Alvin Felzenberg

Overview

A new understanding of the man who changed the face of American politics

William F. Buckley Jr. is widely regarded as the most influential American conservative writer, activist, and organizer in the postwar era. In this nuanced biography, Alvin Felzenberg sheds light on little-known aspects of Buckley’s career, including his role as back-channel adviser to policy makers, his intimate friendship with both Ronald and Nancy Reagan, his changing views on civil rights, and his break with George W. Bush over the Iraq War.
 
Felzenberg demonstrates how Buckley conveyed his message across multiple platforms and drew upon his vast network of contacts, his personal charm, his extraordinary wit, and his celebrity status to move the center of political gravity in the United States closer to his point of view. Including many rarely seen photographs, this account of one of the most compelling personalities of American politics will appeal to conservatives, liberals, and even the apolitical.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780300166897
Publisher:	Yale University Press
Publication date:	05/02/2017
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	384
Sales rank:	926,187
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

Alvin S. Felzenberg served in two presidential administrations and was principal spokesman for the 9/11 Commission. He teaches at the University of Pennsylvania's Annenberg School for Communication and is the author of The Leaders We Deserved (and a Few We Didn't). He lives in Washington, DC.

Jim Meskimen is a stage, film, and television actor who has appeared in many well-known movies and television shows. He acted in Apollo 13 and Frost/Nixon for director Ron Howard, both of which were nominated for Best Picture Oscars. His television appearances include The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Friends, Lie to Me, Criminal Minds, and Parks and Recreation. He is also a painter, award-winning audiobook narrator, and audiobook director for Galaxy Audio.

Table of Contents

Preface ix

1 In the Shadow of Woodrow, Lindbergh, and Franklin D. 1

2 God and Bill at Yale 25

3 Standing Athwart History 53

4 "Reading Dwight Eisenhower Out of the Conservative Movement" 72

5 The Editor, the Colossus, and the "Anti-Communist at Harvard" 96

6 Sailing Against the New Frontier 108

7 Bill, Barry, and the Birchers 131

8 Part of the Way with LBJ 155

9 "Demand a Recount" 169

10 Buckley and Nixon: Mutual Suspicions 194

11 "Let the Man Go Decently" 218

12 Bill and Ronnie: Preparing a President 229

13 Bill and Ronnie: Advising a President 259

14 Disappointed with G. H. W. Bush; Unsold on Clinton 290

15 W: "Counting the Silver" 312

16 The Ancient Truths 329

Notes 335

Acknowledgments 395

Index 399

Illustrations follow page 172

Editorial Reviews

…a gracefully written and richly informative book…Felzenberg…has produced an accomplished and admiring biography that paints a portrait of a man toiling joyfully to define and elevate a political movement. But the book also, perhaps unintentionally, vindicates a cluster of enduring truths taught by the wisest conservatives down through the ages—that elevated things are fragile, and that nothing lasts forever, or even as long as we may wish.

The New York Times Book Review - Damon Linker

“Deeply researched and smoothly written. . . . A superb political biography.”—Lee Edwards, Wall Street Journal

"A gracefully written and richly informative book."—Damon Linker, New York Times

"Insightful. . . . this well-researched work will appeal to both conservatives and liberals seeking to understand 'democratic politics' and Buckley’s accomplishments as an author, commentator, and leader."—William D. Pederson, Library Journal (starred review)

"Al Felzenberg shows in this fine political biography . . . that Buckley was ahead of his time when it came to promoting his views: cross-pollinating every form of media, leveraging relationships behind the scenes, and blending all this with the allure of lifestyle (his own) and entertainment (that celebrated wit)."—Cullen Murphy, Vanity Fair

"A well-delineated portrait of an impassioned conservative."—Kirkus Reviews

"Felzenberg writes with grace and good humor."—John R. Coyne, The American Spectator

"A magisterial biography. . . . Felzenberg captures the toute ensemble, telling the story of modern America’s most vital conservative force in prose that is as enlivening as it is illuminating. No one with an interest in the past six decades of American history will want to miss this wonderful and irreplaceable book."—New Criterion

"Describes Buckley’s various crusades with skill and detail. . . . A Man and His Presidents thoroughly captures Buckley’s life and decades-long career, a comprehensive portrait of one of the towering figures of 20th-century conservatism."—Andrew Burt, The Los Angeles Review of Books

"A well-balanced, richly detailed account of a most remarkable political journey. . . . Felzenberg’s book surely won’t be the final word on WFB’s political odyssey; but for now, it is probably the best."—Rachel Currie, The National Review

"I've heard a lot of Buckley stories over the years, but Al Felzenberg's diligent mining of both the vast Buckley correspondence and the secondary literature on WFB brought to light some facets of the story of which I was insufficiently aware."—George Weigel, First Things

"William F. Buckley was the most consequential journalist of his era because he always was much more than a journalist. This is a brisk, groundbreaking examination of Buckley's history-shaping role as a tireless and sometimes audacious political operative."—George F. Will

"History comes alive as this lively and important book takes us on a trip covering Bill Buckley's views of twentieth-century presidents."—Former U.S. Secretary of State George P. Shultz

"Here is the political Buckley, a revelation of range and influence, wit, friendship, inexhaustible letter-writing, and a subtle evolution of views. As always with Buckley, love of the language came first."—James K. Galbraith, author of Welcome to the Poisoned Chalice: The Destruction of Greece and the Future of Europe

"Alvin Felzenberg tells the inside story of William F. Buckley, Jr.'s relations--intimate, supportive, adversarial--with American presidents over forty years. A fascinating peek behind the curtain."—Richard Brookhiser, author of Founders' Son: A Life of Abraham Lincoln

"Al Felzenberg’s fascinating tour de force of research comes at the perfect time in American history, providing a sharp understanding of the continuing attraction of a key figure shaping our politics today."—Cokie Roberts, author and political commentator for NPR and ABC News

From the Publisher

“Deeply researched and smoothly written . . . a superb political biography… [a] fresh account of a much-chronicled figure.”—Lee Edwards, Wall Street Journal

Wall Street Journal - Lee Edwards

“A magisterial biography . . . . Felzenberg captures the toute ensemble, telling the story of modern America’s most vital conservative force in prose that is as enlivening as it is illuminating.  No one with an interest in the past six decades of American history will want to miss this wonderful and irreplaceable book.”—The New Criterion

The New Criterion

“Felzenberg writes with grace and good humor.”—John R. Coyne, The American Spectator

The American Spectator - John R. Coyne

“A gracefully written and richly informative book.”—Damon Linker, New York Times

New York Times - Damon Linker

“Al Felzenberg shows in this fine political biography . . . that Buckley was ahead of his time when it came to promoting his views: cross-pollinating every form of media, leveraging relationships behind the scenes, and blending all this with the allure of lifestyle (his own) and entertainment (that celebrated wit).”—Cullen Murphy, Vanity Fair

Vanity Fair - Cullen Murphy

"In high school, I searched drugstores for each new issue of National Review.  It was that important.  For me, William F. Buckley, Jr. was the door-opener to intellectual politics.  He made ideas as important as the rivaling personalities, even the parties themselves.  I’ll always be grateful for the wildly adventurous thinker who welcomed me into serious political debate.   I thank Alvin Felzenberg and A Man and His Presidents for bringing it all back."—Chris Matthews, host of MSNBC's Hardball

Chris Matthews

"Al Felzenberg’s fascinating tour de force of research comes at the perfect time in American history, providing a sharp understanding of the continuing attraction of a key figure shaping our politics today."—Cokie Roberts, author and political commentator for NPR and ABC News

Cokie Roberts

"Here is the political Buckley, a revelation of range and influence, wit, friendship, inexhaustible letter-writing, and a subtle evolution of views. As always with Buckley, love of the language came first."—James K. Galbraith, author of Welcome to the Poisoned Chalice: The Destruction of Greece and the Future of Europe

James K. Galbraith

"William F. Buckley was the most consequential journalist of his era because he always was much more than a journalist. This is a brisk, groundbreaking examination of Buckley's history-shaping role as a tireless and sometimes audacious political operative."—George F. Will

George F. Will

"History comes alive as this lively and important book takes us on a trip covering Bill Buckley's views of twentieth-century presidents."—Former U.S. Secretary of State George P. Shultz

George P. Shultz

"Alvin Felzenberg tells the inside story of William F. Buckley, Jr.'s relations--intimate, supportive, adversarial--with American presidents over forty years. A fascinating peek behind the curtain."—Richard Brookhiser, author of Founders' Son: A Life of Abraham Lincoln

Richard Brookhiser

★ 04/15/2017
William F. Buckley Jr. (19252–008) was the enfant terrible among conservative journalists after World War II. As the founding editor of the National Review and host of the TV series Firing Line, he challenged liberals for a place within the ongoing political dialog. Historian Felzenberg (Univ. of Pennsylvania Annenberg Sch. for Communication; The Leaders We Deserved (and a Few We Didn't)) explains what motivated the young Irish Catholic upstart, the sixth of ten children, to challenge the status quo at Yale University and beyond. In many ways, the Buckley family mirrored the Kennedy clan; one crucial difference stemmed from Buckley's "Southern belle" mother and Texas-born father. This insightful work sheds light on Buckley's friendship with Ronald and Nancy Reagan, both before and during their time in the White House. Eventually, Buckley changed his perspective on racial issues and spoke out against the John Birch Society. VERDICT Felzenberg writes positively about Buckley's media success in this well-researched work that will appeal to both conservatives and liberals seeking to understand "democratic politics" and Buckley's accomplishments as an author, commentator, and leader.—William D. Pederson, Louisiana State Univ., Shreveport

Library Journal

This engaging examination of perhaps the most visible and most respected conservative thinker of the modern era, William F. Buckley, Jr., is meticulously researched, articulately written, and beautifully narrated. Felzenberg’s work discusses Buckley’s close relationship with the Reagans, both before and after the presidential years, his break with George W. Bush over the Iraq War, and the backstairs counsel he provided to many American political leaders. Jim Meskimen's energetic narration charms the listener without pretense. His nuanced delivery and vocal texture are at once respectful, considerate, and absorbing. This is a clear, enticing vocal performance of a thoughtful and positive look at an individual whom you may be convinced, at its conclusion, was a great American. W.A.G. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine

JULY 2017 - AudioFile

2017-03-15
An admiring look at the career of William F. Buckley Jr. (1925-2008), public contrarian.Presidential historian Felzenberg (Annenberg School for Communication, Univ. of Pennsylvania; The Leaders We Deserved (and a Few We Didn't): Rethinking the Presidential Rating Game, 2008, etc.) praises the "elegance, humor, wit, and grace" that Buckley brought to his many roles as "writer and editor, debater, publicist, organizer, political candidate, activist, and networker extraordinaire." From his student days at Yale until his death, Buckley publicized and honed an unwavering conservative ideology, which Felzenberg asserts offered "a respectable alternative" to the nation's pervasive "liberal orthodoxy." Arguing that Buckley was hugely influential, the author more convincingly portrays him as an audacious gadfly and provocateur. The sixth of 10 children, he learned early how to speak his mind and garner the attention he coveted. Even as a schoolboy, Buckley "was judgmental about others and was anything but shy about voicing disapproval of people and views he disliked." That behavior persisted throughout his life, as he attacked communism, atheism, and liberal values. He supported Joseph McCarthy's anti-communist campaign, and he was "strident in his criticism of Dwight D. Eisenhower" as well as his successors, with the notable exception of Ronald Reagan. Until late in his life, he vehemently opposed efforts to protect the civil rights of African-Americans. Whites, he insisted, were "the more advanced race" and therefore "entitled to govern." An ardent Catholic, he condemned homosexuality. Besides a prolific output of books, Buckley founded and edited the National Review, a magazine, Felzenberg writes, with only "minimal" influence on national policy. TV appearances showcased Buckley's "quick wit, magnetic personality, and well-developed media savvy," turning him into a celebrity. His notoriety expanded in 1966, when he launched Firing Line, a TV program featuring feisty verbal combat. The author does not consider Buckley as a brother, father, and husband (his wife, "his best friend" and supporter, is hardly mentioned), focusing instead on his relationships with politicians. A well-delineated portrait of an impassioned conservative.

Kirkus Reviews