The Dishcast with Andrew Sullivan

Sam Tanenhaus On Bill Buckley

9 snips
May 23, 2025
In this enlightening discussion, Sam Tanenhaus, a biographer and historian renowned for his work on conservative thought, delves into the life of Bill Buckley. Tanenhaus uncovers how Buckley’s elite yet turbulent upbringing shaped his views and political ideologies. They explore Buckley's isolationism even post-Pearly Harbor, his conflict with Gore Vidal, and the striking parallels between Buckleyism and modern Trumpism. With captivating anecdotes about Buckley’s personality, education, and family dynamics, this conversation offers rich insights into American conservatism.
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ANECDOTE

Buckley Sr.'s Revolutionary Setback

  • Bill Buckley's father lost his fortune in the Mexican Revolution and was deeply anti-revolutionary.
  • This counter-revolutionary zeal shaped the origins of Buckley conservatism and American right-wing thought.
INSIGHT

Buckley's Language Origins

  • Buckley learned English as a third language and spoke Spanish first, influencing his baroque, Latinate style.
  • His unusual language use was a form of performance and mastery over his adopted tongue.
INSIGHT

Buckley's Language as Performance

  • Buckley's elaborate language was a smokescreen that confused and impressed audiences.
  • He was a performer who used language to craft an intellectual persona rather than deep literary mastery.
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