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Reviews

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, 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, 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, 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 A gracefully written and richly informative book. --Damon Linker, New York Times Deeply researched and smoothly written . . . a superb political biography . . . [a] fresh account of a much-chronicled figure. --Lee Edwards, Wall Street Journal 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 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 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

A gracefully written and richly informative book. --Damon Linker, New York Times Deeply researched and smoothly written . . . a superb political biography . . . [a] fresh account of a much-chronicled figure. --Lee Edwards, Wall Street Journal 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 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 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

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, 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, 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, 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 A gracefully written and richly informative book. --Damon Linker, New York Times Deeply researched and smoothly written . . . a superb political biography . . . [a] fresh account of a much-chronicled figure. --Lee Edwards, Wall Street Journal 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 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 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

Author Information

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.

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