"Buckley" author Sam Tanenhaus on the genesis of modern conservatism and the enduring impact of a media pioneer | The Moynihan Report

In *The Big Test*, Nicholas Lemann explores the history and impact of the SAT on American society, revealing how standardized testing was intended to create a meritocracy but instead reinforced social inequalities. The book delves into the origins of the SAT, its evolution, and its effects on education and social stratification, particularly in relation to affirmative action and racial disparities.

This book explores the precarious state of liberalism in the mid-1980s through the lens of Canarsie, a middle-income community in Brooklyn. Rieder examines why the Republican Party was able to attract many ethnic Democrats of modest means in recent presidential elections. The book delves into the community's history, ethnic traditions, and reactions to social and cultural threats, providing a universal appeal by highlighting the experiences of proud bootstrappers and children of immigrants.

This biography by Sam Tanenhaus explores the multifaceted life of William F. Buckley Jr., from his founding of National Review to his roles as a syndicated columnist, TV debater, and bestselling novelist. It delves into his alliances with prominent figures like Joseph McCarthy and Ronald Reagan, as well as his secret exploits and later struggles within the conservative movement.

Written in 1951, God and Man at Yale is a critical examination of Yale University's undergraduate education by William F. Buckley Jr., who had just graduated from the institution. The book argues that Yale's faculty were undermining the university's founding ethos of Christian humanism by promoting atheism, collectivism, and Keynesian economics. Buckley criticized specific courses and professors for their hostility to religion and individualism, suggesting that this was a betrayal of the values held by Yale's alumni. The book is considered a seminal work in the American conservative movement and had a significant impact on Buckley's career and public profile.

Published in 1954, this book provides a detailed analysis of the McCarthy era, focusing on the State Department security policies of the 1940s and McCarthy’s public cases. The authors defend McCarthy where the record supports him and criticize him where he overstepped. The book also critiques the Tydings Committee, arguing it was unfair and untruthful. It discusses the appropriate standards for national security employment and the balance between security risks and individual rights.