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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 973.90922
EAN: 9781416572428
Edition: 1 Reprint
ISBN: 1416572422
Label: Threshold Editions
Manufacturer: Threshold Editions
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 480
Publication Date: June 09, 2009
Publisher: Threshold Editions
Studio: Threshold Editions
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Editorial Review:
Product Description:
An extraordinary and sweeping memoir of one of the most revered families in America -- the Buckleys
The Buckley name is synonymous with a unique brand of conservatism -- marked by merciless reasoning, wit, good humor, and strong will. Self-made oil tycoon William F. Buckley, Sr., of Texas, and his Southern belle wife, Aloise Steiner Buckley, of New Orleans, raised a family of ten whose ideals would go on to shape the traditionalist revival in American culture.
But their family history is anything but conventional. Begun in Mexico (until their father was expelled) and set against a diverse inter-national background (the children's first languages were Spanish and French) with colorful guest stars (such as Pancho Villa, and Norman Mailer), theirs was a life built on self-reliance, hard work, belief in God, and respect for all. It is no wonder the family produced nationally recognizable figures such as columnist and commentator William, Jr., New York Times bestselling satirist Christopher, and New York senator James.
With charm and candor, youngest son Reid, himself the founder of the Buckley School of Public Speaking in South Carolina, tells the enormously engaging and entertaining -- sometimes outrageous -- story of a family that became the mainstay of right-wing belief in our politics and culture. An American Family is an epic memoir that at once will appeal to conservatives, liberals, and moderates alike.
Average Rating: 
Rating:  -
This book looked promising but... it was badly edited, many of the Spanish phrases and words were misspelled... shoking in a book by a person who claims to be fluent. The Kindle version was full of typos, and, becuase it has footnotes to the footnotes, it was easy to get lost, in fact there are times when it was impossible to get back to the main text.
As far as the story goes, it was also disappointing. We all know that there are always different versions of an event, and this was hinted at, many times, far too many, but the alternative version was never explained. The writing is very repetitive, and despite narrating riveting events, it is dull.
A waste of time and effort.
Rating:  -
This is an incredibly interesting book on one of the greatest American Families. It is written with love and depicts a true picture of the author and brother of William F. Buckley Jr.'s parents. Their pioneering and hard working spirits are a great example of what being an "American" is all about. Their priorities of God First, Family Second and America Third, is a great example for all of us to live by. Thier hard work and dedication to those 3 principles really shows how people can prosper, if they follow that path. It is also so very interesting to hear their history. They were amazing people and thru this writing, it made me sad to know that I did not know them personally. An incredible book of love and a joy to read!
Rating: -
A great book. A wonderful story. Keeps the reader glued until the end. Told in the classic storyteller style of the Buckleys. What a family! Especially enjoyed the anecdotes of Camden, South Carolina. Highly recommend.
Rating:  -
I had looked forward to insights about the Buckley family and what I got was a self-congratulatory muddle. The author tells and retells us his family is perfect, that all other people bore him and that he makes no effort to engage with new people because "I find it impossible to remember peoples' names". He also rehashes ad nausium the supposed exploits of his father, his mothers saintliness and the various talents and idiosyncries of his brothers and sisters(see footnote, see footnote, see footnote).Peppered throughout are repetitions of vocabulary that he seems to have picked up from a "Improve Your Vocabulary" book. Worst of all, it seems totally dishonest. I would like to know the real story of the Buckley family. Perhaps one day someone will write one.
Rating: -
Reid Buckley (RIP) has masterfully written an insightful memoir of a family (his own) that, along with many other families, formed the backbone of a once-great Country, a dynamic culture regrettably on the wane.
As one would expect, coming as it does from the Buckleys, this book entertains and informs, amuses and instructs, simultaneously opens the heart and breaks it with reminiscences quite common to us all. Primarily, Mr. Buckley's words address both the individual's and the culture's soul.
If you presume that the Buckley family of the passed and passing generations was comprised of elitist snobs, that presumption will be dispelled; unless, of course, you consider those who place God, Family, and Country (and in that order) first are somehow representative of primordial elitism.
One might ask: "How could one family produce so many creative and successful citizens?" The answer is to be found in the Buckley definitions of "citizenry" and "success." For that you will have to turn especially to Chapter 12: "The Mexican Impact and Its Legacy" and pages 253 and 254 (the Buckley inheritance contraindicating that of materialism). Therein is established a propaedeutic on both concepts.
You will love this book because it exemplifies what is being lost in the present generation of America; you will identify with the Buckleys and you will sense a loss. In doing so, you may be caused to engage in recovering what is being withered away. Reid Buckley, and Bill, etc., have left their fellow-citizens a legacy - a gift. This book is the culmination of their contribution.
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