William F. Buckley Jr. dies at 82
William F. Buckley Jr. died this morning at the age of 82. Although best known as the godfather of the modern conservative movement, Buckley also wrote numerous novels, many of them spy thrillers featuring CIA agent Blackford Oakes.
The books weren't great -- Buckley was a far better essaying and polemicist than novelist -- but some of them were quite entertaining, especially the early ones. (The first, Saving the Queen, includes a scene describing Oakes' recruitment into the CIA that was based on Buckley's own experience with the Company.)
Bill is survived by his son, Christopher Buckley, a wonderful author of satirical novels (and one excellent, underrated thriller: Wet Work). Bill was a true gentleman -- he was the first writer I ever corresponded with -- and he will be missed.
Buckley dying trumps me talking about blogs???
Posted by: Guyot | February 27, 2008 at 01:58 PM
Yes. In the cosmic game of Roshambo, death always beats blogs.
Posted by: David J. Montgomery | February 27, 2008 at 02:04 PM
That may be the most poetic thing you've ever written.
Posted by: Guyot | February 27, 2008 at 02:07 PM
Buckley dying trumps everything at the moment. We'll never see the likes of him again - and that's a damn shame.
Posted by: Elaine Flinn | February 28, 2008 at 02:31 PM
So, is he still dead?
Posted by: Guyot | March 01, 2008 at 09:12 PM
Much like Franco, he is indeed still dead.
Posted by: David J. Montgomery | March 01, 2008 at 09:46 PM