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William F Buckley Jr Books

Before today’s modern Conservative pundits one might say there was Rush Limbaugh. And before Rush there was William F. Buckley Jr., a man who for many years was the a lone voice of the right in America, crying out in the wilderness.

That’s not entirely truthful, as Buckley actually gave voice to Conservatives in words and deeds – he was just the most prominent, and by a chasm. He did this in numerous ways, not least of which was by founding National Review in 1955. He used the magazine to define what Conservatism in America was, something which has stayed mostly true until today. He drew lines to remove racists and anti-Semites from the fold and emphasized the essential Christianity of Republicanism, even going so far as to attack others on the right who didn’t share his religious beliefs.

Buckley essentially created the modern concept of the American conservative, which many might attribute to Ronald Regan. In fact, it was Buckley that made Regan’s rise to power possible. In that respect, his importance can’t possibly be overstated.

Perhaps one of the most refreshing things about Buckley was his ability to honestly change his mind on critical issues and admit wrong. (One might argue today’s Conservatives don’t have that luxury).

Before Pat Buchanan popularized the term “culture war,” Buckley was speaking to it, commenting that Christianity was being replaced by, “another God… multiculturalism.”

Incredibly prolific, he published over 50 books in his lifetime. With his primary focus on politics and faith, he also wrote travel books and was an accomplished novelist with numerous published works including the Blackford Oakes spy novels.