William F. Buckley Jr.: The Maker of a Movement

by Lee Edwards

“If you want to understand not only the rise of the modern conservative movement but also how conservatives can regain their footing during these perilous times, you must read William F. Buckley The Maker of a Movement . Lee Edwards, himself a conservative icon, describes in beautiful and concise prose the brilliance that was Buckley. The book, like Buckley, is fascinating, compelling, and edifying.” — Mark R. Levin , bestselling author of Liberty and Tyranny , nationally syndicated radio host “ William F. Buckley Jr. Changing American political and intellectual culture. 1925–2008. Postwar Yale, China with Mao and Nixon, the NR conference room table. Lee Edwards, who knew the principles and lived the history, explains it all in this compact, complete synopsis.” — Richard Brookhiser , author of Right Time, Right Coming of Age with William F. Buckley Jr. and the Conservative Movement The modern-day Renaissance man who forged the conservative movement The polysyllabic vocabulary, the wit, the charm, the sailing adventures, the spy novels—all of these have become part of the William F. Buckley Jr. legend. But to consider only Buckley’s charisma and ceaseless energy is to miss that above all he was committed to advancing ideas . Now, noted conservative historian Lee Edwards, who knew Bill Buckley for more than forty years, delivers a much-needed intellectual biography of the man has been called “arguably the most important public intellectual in the United States in the past half century.” In this concise and compelling book, Edwards reveals how Buckley did more than any other person to build the conservative movement. Once derided as a set of “irritable mental gestures,” conservatism became, under Buckley’s guidance, a political and intellectual force that transformed America. As conservatives debate the ideas that should drive their movement, William F. Buckley The Maker of a Movement reminds us of the principles that animated Buckley, as well as the thinkers who inspired him. The four most important intellectual influences on this great molder of American conservatism, Edwards shows, were libertarian author and social critic Albert Jay Nock, conservative political scientist Willmoore Kendall, former Soviet spy Whittaker Chambers, and realpolitik apostle James Burnham. Having dug deep into the voluminous Buckley papers, Edwards also illuminates the profound influence of Buckley’s close-knit family and his unwavering Catholic faith. Edwards brilliantly captures the free spirit and unbounded energy of the conservative polymath, but he also shows that Buckley did not succeed merely on the strength of a winning personality. Rather, Buckley’s achievements were the result of a long series of quite deliberate political acts—many of them overlooked today. William F. Buckley The Maker of a Movement tells the incredible story of a man who could have been a playboy, sailing his yacht and skiing in Switzerland, but who chose to be the St. Paul of the conservative movement, carrying the message far and wide. Lee Edwards shows how and why it happened—and the remarkable results.  

Genres: Biography, History, Politics

208 pages, Hardcover

First published April 12, 2010

About the author

Lee Willard Edwards was an American academic and author and a fellow at The Heritage Foundation. He was a historian of the conservative movement in the United States.

Reviews

[Jack Raia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very readable bio of William F. Buckley. I learned of some of the intellectual/philosophical influences in his life as well as his profound influence and his role in fusing together the various sectors of conservatism: classical liberal/libertarian, traditional, Neo-conservative, anti-communist and evangelical.

[Jordan B Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's a good biography of Buckley and his ideas, but the author avoids some of the more controversial elements of his career. Just don't expect an unbiased treatment here.

[Tom Stamper · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short biography hits on most of the major moments and themes of Buckley's life. If you have read other Buckley biographies not much here will surprise you, but if you are new to the subject this book is a great place to start. Edwards is best as small details like Buckley paying to have a Vietnam veteran's eyesight restored or his penchant for editorial staff meals at Paone's restaurant. One of the strengths of the book is the contrast of the paleoconservatives and neoconservatives and how that erupted in respect to Israel and the wars in the Middle East. Buckley would at first embrace the invasion of Iraq and then later lament the nation-building that followed.

The book gave me a yearning to go back and read one of Buckley's more entertaining books, The Unmaking of a Mayor.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you only want to read one short book to get a sense of the impact of William F. Buckley, Jr. on American conservatism and politics, this would be a good choice. It is basically an overview of his life an impact from a conservative perspective. It mostly uses previously published works and sources. the author was a well know conservative historian and writer so offers a conservative take on WFB and the conservative movement emphasizing the importance or pragmatism and "fusionism" to the man and the movement. Touches on neoconservatism and paleoconservatism but obviously rather briefly given the length of the book. A useful overview and summary.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an interesting and complete biography of William F. Buckley, Jr. It stresses how he founded the Conservative movement in America.

[Lynda · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book clearly explains how William Buckley Jr. brought into being the modern conservative movement by helping various people of different persuasions to see their commonalities and work together.

[Dan Hayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Buckley the icon.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent primer about the modern day conservative leader, thinker, and maker of a great political movement in America!

[Patrick Schultheis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked it. A solid, intellectual biography of my hero

[Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a relatively complete history of Buckley's role in the building of the modern conservative movement. It is mercifully concise.

[Rosemary Pecoraro · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the Greatest Influencers In My Life

I was in college when I first read and subscribed to Bill Buckley's National Review. I saw the first Firing line and was entranced by every word and every show. My brother and I were one of the very few Conservatives in our college fighting the onslaught of Liberal dominance in the 1960s. This wonderful book allowed me to relive those exciting years when we few College Conservatives had to make that lonely fight against the Liberal Establishment. Although this review appears under Rosemary the book was read and review written by John Pecoraro her husband.

[Jacob Villa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple and positive overview. Quick and helpful.

[jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quite excellent primer on Buckley’s life, mantra, and political influence. If only we had the pleasure of knowing what he’d think about the circus we are living in today.