Tanenhaus Biography Reveals Nuanced Portrait of William F. Buckley Jr., Highlighting Early Controversies

A new biography by Sam Tanenhaus, titled Buckley: The Life and the Revolution That Changed America, offers an extensive and often critical look at the life and legacy of William F. Buckley Jr., a pivotal figure in modern American conservatism. The 1,040-page book, published by Random House in June 2025, has garnered significant attention, including a detailed review by Ronald Radosh in Quillette on July 9, 2025.

Radosh's review, "Buckley’s Blind Spots," delves into Tanenhaus's portrayal of Buckley, particularly focusing on his early stances on civil rights and his defense of Senator Joseph McCarthy. The biography, which was two decades in the making, presents Buckley as a complex intellectual whose influence shaped the conservative movement, yet whose early views on race and politics have drawn renewed scrutiny.

The book explores Buckley's initial support for racial segregation, noting his family's ties to the Jim Crow South and his editorials in National Review defending the practice. Tanenhaus reveals that Buckley's family even funded a pro-segregation newspaper in Camden, South Carolina. While Buckley later expressed regret for these positions, acknowledging that federal intervention was necessary to dismantle Jim Crow, the biography details the extent of his early opposition to the civil rights movement.

Tanenhaus also examines Buckley's unwavering defense of Senator Joseph McCarthy, despite the demagogic nature of McCarthy's anti-communist campaign. Radosh highlights how the biography details Buckley's efforts to legitimize McCarthy, even co-authoring a book, McCarthy and his Enemies, that sought to defend the senator's actions. This aspect of Buckley's career, according to the review, showcases a willingness to align with controversial figures in the fight against perceived threats.

The biography does not shy away from Buckley's "blind spots," as Radosh terms them, including his defense of repressive regimes like Augusto Pinochet's in Chile. Tanenhaus suggests that Buckley, despite his intellectual rigor, could be credulous when faced with anti-communist allies, overlooking human rights abuses. This comprehensive account of Buckley's life, from his privileged upbringing and founding of National Review to his role as a public intellectual and mentor to Ronald Reagan, provides a multifaceted understanding of the man and the movement he helped build.