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Buckley vs. Vidal: The Historic 1968 ABC News Debates
Conservative icon William F. Buckley Jr. and liberal author Gore Vidal exploded onto the political scene during the presidential conventions of 1968 when they debated 11 times on ABC News as a part of the network’s “unconventional convention coverage.” The debates were fiery and combative and they infamously blew up at each other during their penultimate debate in Chicago.
The debates, the subject of the new documentary film “Best of Enemies,” have not been shown or transcribed in their entirety since the original airings in 1968. The Devault-GravesAgency exclusively brings you the complete, uncensored Buckley-Vidal transcripts in all their highly readable glory. The book also features an eloquent and informative introduction by one of the directors of “Best of Enemies,” author Robert Gordon.
This book will appeal to the legion of fans and readers of both Buckley and Vidal. Students of debate will find no better guide to the art of verbal fencing than Buckley vs. Vidal. Libraries throughout the U.S. will want Buckley vs. Vidal as the official record of the most infamous debates of the last half-century by two of the most important social arbiters of the era. Buckley vs. Vidal will be a textbook of style and substance to any aspiring debater, or those already in the fray.
The debates, the subject of the new documentary film “Best of Enemies,” have not been shown or transcribed in their entirety since the original airings in 1968. The Devault-GravesAgency exclusively brings you the complete, uncensored Buckley-Vidal transcripts in all their highly readable glory. The book also features an eloquent and informative introduction by one of the directors of “Best of Enemies,” author Robert Gordon.
This book will appeal to the legion of fans and readers of both Buckley and Vidal. Students of debate will find no better guide to the art of verbal fencing than Buckley vs. Vidal. Libraries throughout the U.S. will want Buckley vs. Vidal as the official record of the most infamous debates of the last half-century by two of the most important social arbiters of the era. Buckley vs. Vidal will be a textbook of style and substance to any aspiring debater, or those already in the fray.
192 pages, Paperback
First published July 31, 2015
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102 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 3, 2021
Vidal won because Buckley got IRL mad. I've never been mad myself but I've read a lot of descriptions of it before and can tell.
November 25, 2016
Normalmente, falaria que é melhor ler o livro primeiro antes de ver o filme, mas nesse caso suguiro que faça o inverso, Best of Enemies que está disponível na Netflix, é obrigatório para entender a personalidade detrás dos dois grandes intelectuais. A troca de farpas, feita num nível alto na maioria das vezes, um debate de ideias, visto que nenhum dos dois estava disputando um cargo executivo ou legislativo, foi o que mais me agradou no livro, os únicos revezes que este livro possui são que está disponível apenas para o Kindle e só em inglês, dificultando o acesso a quem tem menos condições. Fora isso isso é agradabilíssima a leitura. Vale a pena para quem pode ler :)
October 26, 2015
Excellent transcribing of the Buckley vs Gore "debates" in 1968. At one point Buckley got so mad he threatened to (and almost did except his broken collarbone prevented it) punch Vidal and called him a "queer."
It was nice to see high level discussions between intellectuals even though they did seem to have lost their composure.
It was nice to see high level discussions between intellectuals even though they did seem to have lost their composure.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 2, 2021
Helpful Account and Fine Documentary Record - This small volume helpfully presents the text of the televised commentary sessions featuring William F Buckley Jr. and Gore Vidal during the 1968 US political conventions as re-presented in a fine 2015 documentary “Best of Enemies.”
The book provides a helpful, if brief, introduction, insightful editorial comments here and there in the chapters as well as an afterward and mention of helpful references. There is a chapter for each of the 11 segments that aired during the Republican and Democratic Party Conventions that resulted in the nominations of Richard Nixon and Hubert Humphrey respectively for the presidential election that fall. As specified in the introduction, these months were quite chaotic due to recent assassinations of Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, racial riots, protests against the USA involvement in the Vietnamese War and related turmoil which had a bearing on the conventions and these debates.
References mentioned include the “Esquire” magazine articles written by Buckley and Vidal after their heated appearances (also compiled in the out of print “Smiling through the Apocalypse: Esquire's History of the Sixties”). Too bad these pieces are not included. The views articulated by the respective authors flesh out the enmity and vehemence of these encounters to additional degrees.
While what is cited is useful, more background and depth on Buckley and Gore provide further understanding of their quarrel. There are the obvious differences between Buckley as a conservative Republican/libertarian and Vidal as a liberal Democrat/independent, but there appears to be more complexity and depth to their friction. Biographies of the two protagonists are telling in providing additional background; a Vidal biography (Parini’s “Empire of Self: A Life of Gore Vidal”) offers a more complete picture, whereas the Buckley bio’s (e.g. Bogus’s “Buckley: William F. Buckley Jr. and the Rise of American Conservatism” and Judis’s “William F. Buckley, Jr.: Patron Saint of the Conservatives”) provide significant coverage, though as of this writing, these and other works (e.g. Christopher Buckley’s “But Enough About You”) have to be pieced together to offer a more complete view.
However, what could also be useful in comprehending the Buckley - Vidal feud would be comparisons with other highly visible disputes that have occurred in previous eras and since. Examples to include could be those such as the conflict between Gabriel Harvey and Thomas Nashe, Thomas Huxley and Samuel Wilberforce, John Dewey and Robert M. Hutchins, C.P. Snow and F.R. Leavis, and more recently Glenn Beck and John Stewart as well as Bill O’Reilly and Steven Colbert.
While such a comprehensive look at this dispute would be interesting to see, we can be most appreciative at having the helpful account and fine documentary record.
The book provides a helpful, if brief, introduction, insightful editorial comments here and there in the chapters as well as an afterward and mention of helpful references. There is a chapter for each of the 11 segments that aired during the Republican and Democratic Party Conventions that resulted in the nominations of Richard Nixon and Hubert Humphrey respectively for the presidential election that fall. As specified in the introduction, these months were quite chaotic due to recent assassinations of Robert F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King, racial riots, protests against the USA involvement in the Vietnamese War and related turmoil which had a bearing on the conventions and these debates.
References mentioned include the “Esquire” magazine articles written by Buckley and Vidal after their heated appearances (also compiled in the out of print “Smiling through the Apocalypse: Esquire's History of the Sixties”). Too bad these pieces are not included. The views articulated by the respective authors flesh out the enmity and vehemence of these encounters to additional degrees.
While what is cited is useful, more background and depth on Buckley and Gore provide further understanding of their quarrel. There are the obvious differences between Buckley as a conservative Republican/libertarian and Vidal as a liberal Democrat/independent, but there appears to be more complexity and depth to their friction. Biographies of the two protagonists are telling in providing additional background; a Vidal biography (Parini’s “Empire of Self: A Life of Gore Vidal”) offers a more complete picture, whereas the Buckley bio’s (e.g. Bogus’s “Buckley: William F. Buckley Jr. and the Rise of American Conservatism” and Judis’s “William F. Buckley, Jr.: Patron Saint of the Conservatives”) provide significant coverage, though as of this writing, these and other works (e.g. Christopher Buckley’s “But Enough About You”) have to be pieced together to offer a more complete view.
However, what could also be useful in comprehending the Buckley - Vidal feud would be comparisons with other highly visible disputes that have occurred in previous eras and since. Examples to include could be those such as the conflict between Gabriel Harvey and Thomas Nashe, Thomas Huxley and Samuel Wilberforce, John Dewey and Robert M. Hutchins, C.P. Snow and F.R. Leavis, and more recently Glenn Beck and John Stewart as well as Bill O’Reilly and Steven Colbert.
While such a comprehensive look at this dispute would be interesting to see, we can be most appreciative at having the helpful account and fine documentary record.
March 2, 2019
A piece of history, it is mainly made up of the transcription of the great debates between Buckley and Vidal. The raw intelligence, the wit, the oratory and debating skill deployed is impressive. These were two great minds of their generation espousing totally contradictory philosophies.
Interestingly it contains much more detail about the events that led to the famous outbursts in the penultimate debate not mentioned in the otherwise excellent documentary "Best of Enemies".
As a pure record of the debates it is invaluable. As the harbinger of the talking heads at war and the debasement of political news analysis it can be depressing. These two great minds and those debates changed the face of political reporting and not for the better. Buckley certainly regretted what he said and did for the rest of his life, but it is at least heartening to look back at a time when the Right celebrated intelligence and wasn't afraid of big thinkers arguing morality and philosophy with the brightest minds of the Left.
Interestingly it contains much more detail about the events that led to the famous outbursts in the penultimate debate not mentioned in the otherwise excellent documentary "Best of Enemies".
As a pure record of the debates it is invaluable. As the harbinger of the talking heads at war and the debasement of political news analysis it can be depressing. These two great minds and those debates changed the face of political reporting and not for the better. Buckley certainly regretted what he said and did for the rest of his life, but it is at least heartening to look back at a time when the Right celebrated intelligence and wasn't afraid of big thinkers arguing morality and philosophy with the brightest minds of the Left.
May 16, 2024
In a reversal of "read the book, then see the movie", I read this after watching the 2015 documentary "Best of Enemies: Buckley vs. Vidal" https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3518012/.
The book is a transcript of the debates which were televised on ABC during the 1968 Republican and Democratic conventions. Buckley, the conservative publisher of "National Review" and host of "Firing Line" and Vidal, the idiosyncratic liberal novelist and screenwriter detested each other. Both were part of what we now call the "1%", but were also outsiders; Buckley was Roman Catholic in what was still a WASP dominated world and Vidal was openly homosexual. Their animosity came to a head in the next to last debate when Buckley lost his temper and threatened Vidal. I believe Vidal was goading Buckley from the beginning and succeeded in making him lose his cool.
Was there a winner? Sadly, no.
This was the forerunner of the now-normal confrontational political tv world.
The book is a transcript of the debates which were televised on ABC during the 1968 Republican and Democratic conventions. Buckley, the conservative publisher of "National Review" and host of "Firing Line" and Vidal, the idiosyncratic liberal novelist and screenwriter detested each other. Both were part of what we now call the "1%", but were also outsiders; Buckley was Roman Catholic in what was still a WASP dominated world and Vidal was openly homosexual. Their animosity came to a head in the next to last debate when Buckley lost his temper and threatened Vidal. I believe Vidal was goading Buckley from the beginning and succeeded in making him lose his cool.
Was there a winner? Sadly, no.
This was the forerunner of the now-normal confrontational political tv world.
July 8, 2021
Excellent book, despite the so-called low point the debate evolved into this is still one of if not the best debates ever, further Buckley was clearly the winner and was never in doubt. Vidal in hindsight of course was right on some aspects regarding Nixon being different things to different people, nonetheless he spoke always much like Mailer and Chomsky as a demagogue and that has never changed in regards to that side. The book despite the compiler's perceived bias at least from my perspective and despite subtle undertones(rooting for Vidal it seems,sadly) still shows Buckley triumphant. Very good stuff but pales in comparison to more superior verbal lashings Buckley would throw out to other opponents. Highly recommended.
April 25, 2022
If you enjoy the study of the media, especially TV News, Presidential politics, the use of the English language, the spontaneous organization of verbally communicated ideas, wit, clarity of thought, clear expression, debating technique, or 20th Century Pop Culture, then I highly recommend this book. It's a tribute to civic engagement, and a lament at the sorry state of what passes for "enlightened political opinion and commentary" in the 21st Century. Oh, we have sunk so very, very low
August 2, 2017
I loved the bitchiness of it all, the wordplay, the back and forth that was so personal and so intellectual at the same time. Both were part of the same East Coast elite and yet were marginal to it as well, both erudite expositors of different worldviews. It would have been fascinating to restage these debates in the George W. Bush years. Alas.
November 28, 2019
It's so refreshing to see the issues of the 1960's (which are markedly similar to the issues we have today) debated intelligently - from both liberal and conservative viewpoints. Not like the hyperbole we have today.
June 22, 2021
Just porn, really, for anyone who cares about politics or language.
January 10, 2023
Sad to see one of the beginning of the end of civility. We should be able to disagree but not be disagreeable.
July 18, 2022
Interesting commentaries, debates, and things going to the head in the 1968 debates. Several of the debates occurred in Republican convention at Miami, and other debates happened at the Democratic convention in Chicago, only this time the two started growling at each other. Thanks in large part the violence occurring outside the doors. Cops pummeling demonstrators and journalists. Vidal was appalled at the police brutality. Whereas Buckley was troubled from his sleep by noisy demonstrators outside the building he was staying at. Buckley claimed to have regretted his outburst at Vidal. Yet Vidal was terribly forgiving of Buckley. Still a very interesting transcript of history. Recommended.
April 2, 2016
This book mainly consists of the transcripts of the Buckley-Gore debates during the 1968 Presidential elections. The debates were very high level and sophisticated but it's obvious from the beginning these men don't like each other at all.
During one of the last debates, Buckley used a slur of sexual orientation to refer to Vidal. By all accounts he deeply regretted it for the rest of his life. However Vidal did provoke Buckley by referring to him as a crypto-Nazi, a term a WW2 veteran would be greatly angered at.
What's great is the high level of discourse between the two. Both were elite debaters and able to think on their feet very adeptly. Also while Vietnam was a huge issue then, many other problems then prevail today. Ultimately the role of government and its ability to solve problems is central.
This book can be seen in The Best of Enemies on video. It doesn't show the debates in their entirety. In fact it misses some of the key factors leading to Buckley's outburst: His broken collar bone, the inability to sleep in the weeks before due to the pain, the protests occurring at night by Buckley's hotel room, etc...
During one of the last debates, Buckley used a slur of sexual orientation to refer to Vidal. By all accounts he deeply regretted it for the rest of his life. However Vidal did provoke Buckley by referring to him as a crypto-Nazi, a term a WW2 veteran would be greatly angered at.
What's great is the high level of discourse between the two. Both were elite debaters and able to think on their feet very adeptly. Also while Vietnam was a huge issue then, many other problems then prevail today. Ultimately the role of government and its ability to solve problems is central.
This book can be seen in The Best of Enemies on video. It doesn't show the debates in their entirety. In fact it misses some of the key factors leading to Buckley's outburst: His broken collar bone, the inability to sleep in the weeks before due to the pain, the protests occurring at night by Buckley's hotel room, etc...
May 21, 2016
These transcripts make for highly entertaining reading as you can feel the friction build between the two pundits and witness it culminate into a petty meltdown. Some of the one liners are truly funny while others are maddening. What makes this source valuable is its relevance to the dawn of sensationalized news outlets. Buckley and Vidal were not of the emotional whores we have today. They were a more sophisticated breed who could not help but become mired in their polarized viewpoints. It is this debate / showdown / clash that forged the contemporary back and forth we see on all forms of media today.
I highly recommend reading this in concert to two documentaries: Best of Enemies and Gore Vidal: The United States of Amnesia.
I highly recommend reading this in concert to two documentaries: Best of Enemies and Gore Vidal: The United States of Amnesia.
June 8, 2023
Vidal doesn't come out well in these debates. In his essays, he can be witty and sophisticated, but here he's in chat-show mode, and comes off as naive, superficial and contentious compared to Buckley. Vidal's other problem is that he was a literary man talking politics, while Buckley's bread and butter was politics. The amazing thing is how polite the two are until the blow up at Chicago. Both men obviously cared more deeply about Foreign Policy (vietnam/Czechoslovakia/USSR) then about domestic policy, and so the knives come out.
September 18, 2016
Buckley vs. Vidal preserves a significant piece of American history in a unique way, through transcripts of the memorable debates between William F. Buckley Jr. and Gore Vidal. The heated battle between these two American icons is truly eye-opening and changed the way voters view politics in the United States. This book is highly recommended anyone interested in political science, American history or the art of debating.
September 16, 2016
As someone very unfamiliar with the the original Buckley/Vidal debates, this book was fascinating. It gives so much insight into the state of modern political television debates, and if you are remotely interested in the history of US politics and debates, you will absolutely love these transcripts!
September 23, 2016
It was a fascinating book, not so much for the back and forth between the two man as the issues that were brought. The transcripts show that things have not changed all that much in almost 50 years. It's only that the pundits have gotten louder and more abrasive.
September 16, 2016
These debates are such a fascinating read, especially as someone who wasn't alive to watch them air in 1968. It truly is a unique situation, and I have enjoyed learning more about Buckley and Vidal.
September 16, 2016
Explosive and enthralling--I didn't put it down from start to finish!
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January 8, 2019Like catnip. Eminently readable, I blazed through it in a single day. It has everything: history, politics and savage insults.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews