Man and His Presidents
The Political Odyssey of William F. Buckley Jr.
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.
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.
Reviews
"Alvin Felzenberg tells the inside story of William F. Buckley, Jr.'s relations – intimate, supportive, adversarial – with American presidents over forty years. A fascinating peak behind the curtain" – Richard Brookhiser, author of "Founders' Son: A Life of Abraham Lincoln"
"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
"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
"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"
"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
"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
