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Liked It “I've been reading National Review since the mid-1980s. I think it's the best written magazine published, but I've never particularly cared for Richard Brookhiser's style of writing--it's a bit quirky, writing on many topics I don't find that interesting. He's a talented writer, and this is the...” see full review » see other reviews » |
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“Brookhiser was something of a child protege, having published his first article in National Review--as a cover story, no less. He went to work for the magazine as an intern, then hired on full time fresh out of college. He was tapped to succeed William Buckley--at the tender of age of 23--as editor, then a few years later, informed (by letter) that Buckley had changed his mind. This is an intriguing, exceptionally well written account of the inner workings of National Review, the cadre of conservative writers who wrote for it, and most especially that giant of American conservatism revered by those of us who count ourselves as such, William F. Buckley Jr.”
Don M wrote this review Saturday, October 3 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“I've been reading National Review since the mid-1980s. I think it's the best written magazine published, but I've never particularly cared for Richard Brookhiser's style of writing--it's a bit quirky, writing on many topics I don't find that interesting. He's a talented writer, and this is the first book I've read by him; it's far better, IMO, than his columns.
Ron B wrote this review Sunday, July 5 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
It's the story of his relationship with William F. Buckley, Jr., National Review, and also of the conservative movement generally. It's a great read, some would say bitter even. HIs relationship with Buckley began in 1969 when he submitted an article to NR, which was subsequently published February 24, 1970, one day after his 15th Birthday, for which he was paid the princely sum $180. His second article was published in 1971 when he was a junior in high school. In 1976, he interned at NR over the summer. Obviously a gifted and talented writer. In the Fall of 1978, Buckley told Brookhiser that he would succeed him as editor in chief of NR. Later on, he changed his mind. The resentment from Brookhiser is palpable, rightfully so.
In addition to this personal odyssey, Brookhiser makes some excellent observations regarding the conservative movement. He believes Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn contributed more to the downfall of the USSR than Ronald Reagan, Pope John Paul II, and Mikhail Gorbachev by introducing one word into the world's vocabulary: gulag. It's a compelling point, though I remain (partially) unconvinced. He discusses on NR kicked out the John Birchers from the movement, with Russell Kirk's famous retort: Einsenhower is not a communist; he's a golfer. I also liked Brookhiser's comment that "Intellectuals are the Kleenex of administrations--used, then discarded," and how nostaglia was the conservative's baby food, while for liberals it's hope.
For students of the modern conservative movement, this biography provides an insider's first-hand account. Great read.”
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