“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.”

“A brisk, groundbreaking examination of Buckley’s history-shaping role as a…political operative.”

“Gracefully written and informative…The passages that provide the most illumination are those in which Felzenberg highlights what Buckley himself described as his greatest achievement: purging the conservative movement of ‘extremists, bigots, kooks, anti-Semites and racists’…[Felzenberg]has produced an accomplished and admiring biography that paints a portrait of a man toiling joyfully to define and elevate a political movement.”

“A well-delineated portrait of an impassioned conservative.”

“History comes alive as this lively and important book takes us on a trip covering Bill Buckley’s views of twentieth-century presidents.”

“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.”