Thought Life
The conservative leader William F. Buckley died five years ago yesterday. National Review, the magazine he founded, just published several articles on his life and legacy. I appreciated one from his friend Larry Perelman that described Buckley’s final night on earth. It seems to sum up a good bit of Buckley’s personality and liveliness.
Here’s a portion:
My parents and family fled the Soviet Union in the 1970s and I was the first American-born child in my family. I wrote to Bill at the age of 18 expressing my gratitude to him for having emboldened Soviet Jews to come to this great nation, and asking for the opportunity to express my gratitude to him by playing the piano. Now, here we were, 14 years later, toasting to all good things with vodka and red caviar. It was very special and soon our glasses were refilled.
The second course arrived as the sounds of Beethoven’s fourth piano concerto filled the room. This course consisted of wonderful fish, green beans, and some of the best mashed potatoes I’ve ever had. Bill reminisced about concerts he had heard in the 1930s. Specifically, he mentioned hearing this, his “favorite” concerto, performed in London in 1938. He then turned to me and asked, “Do you think the harpsichord is today facing its greatest challenge as a concert instrument?” This was classic Bill and although far from being an authority on the harpsichord — he was one — I agreed with his observation.
Whether you agree with all of Buckley’s doctrine and philosophy, he is a marvelous study in personality, leadership and mentorship, a man who by all accounts delighted in life and the promotion of big ideas aimed at helping others. There are all kinds of leaders, but the best lead by conviction. Buckley stands tall in that regard.
(Image: National Review)
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