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Book Nook provides readers with insights into the world of books. Vick Mickunas takes you into the center of the publishing world with the latest book buzz, book reviews, and exclusive chats with authors..Home > Blogs > Book Nook > Archives > 2009 > May > 01 > Entry
My almost interview with William F. Buckley…
Back in the summer of 2007 I was contacted by William F. Buckley’s publicist. She wanted to send me Buckley’s latest book. I asked if he was doing any interviews? She said that he was and that I could interview him after the book came out. I was excited about that prospect.
I grew up watching Buckley’s TV show on PBS. While I didn’t usually agree with his viewpoints, I admired his intellect, his lacerating speech, and his prodigious vocabulary. I was thrilled about the possibility of talking to him in the twilight of his career.
The book came out. I contacted his publicist to try to set up the phone interview. She got back with me eventually with the bad news that he wasn’t doing any interviews. I was dejected and puzzled. I wondered why not?
I just got my answer. Buckley’s son Christopher has written a new book about his parents. Thomas Mallon wrote about the book for the New York Times. I have interviewed Mallon and I admire his insights. I wish I had gotten that interview with Buckley. It could have been rather interesting. It seems that Buckley’s mental condition was such by that point that it is little wonder the interview never came off.
To read Mallon’s piece click HERE:
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: confessions of a galley slave
Comments
By Raoul
May 4, 2009 1:18 PM | Link to this
Very well said, Downsized. I finally agree with you on Buckley, and I think he was right about the marijuana laws. Although the excerpts in Vick’s post about Mallon reveal the snarky side of the relationship with his parents, Christopher Buckley must have had a very interesting childhood. I hope we can find more common ground in the future.By edo
May 4, 2009 11:46 AM | Link to this
link to Christopher’s article about his parents “Growing up Buckley”: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/26/magazine/26buckley-t.htmlBy downsized
May 3, 2009 5:40 PM | Link to this
Wm. Buckley was a great conservative voice, writer and articulate American. In my youth I’ll never forget the memorable discourse between Gore Vidal and him during the 1968 coverage of the Democratic National Convention. A seminal moment in politics and American history. These two extraordinary men were physically restrained because of their heated exchanges. Truly, magnificant in drama and rhetorical genius. Halcyon days and nights, when men of courage and opinions of unsurpassed magnitude let it all out for the sake of our nation. Unforgetable. Mr. Buckley didn’t let anything dissuade him from the truth as he saw it. He even advocated sanity and rationality in our approach and laws toward the legalization of marijuana. He believed it a national necessity to legalize pot, likening it’s criminality to the stupidity of our prohibition of alcohol. He sacrificed much for his views on this and many subjects, that were anathema to his conservative credentials. I can only revere this incredible man, for his many poignant moments, which I disagreed and agreed with him with fervor. He will be missed by his philosophical friends and foes alike.