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Right Time, Right Place: Coming of Age with William F. Buckley Jr. and the Conservative Movement
Richard Brookhiser wrote his first cover story for National Review at age fourteen, and became the magazine's youngest senior editor at twenty-three. William F. Buckley Jr. was Brookhiser's mentor, hero, and admirer; within a year of Brookhiser's arrival at the magazine, Buckley tapped him as his successor as editor-in-chief. But without warning, the relation ship soured -- one day, Brookhiser returned to his desk to find a letter from Buckley unceremoniously informing him "you will no longer be my successor."
Brookhiser remained friends and colleagues with Buckley despite the breach, and in Right Time, Right Place he tells the story of that friendship with affection and clarity. At the same time, he provides a delightful account of the intellectual and political ferment of the conservative resurgence that Buckley nurtured and led.
Witty and poignant, Right Time, Right Place tells the story of a young man and a political movement coming of age -- and of the man who inspired them both.
Brookhiser remained friends and colleagues with Buckley despite the breach, and in Right Time, Right Place he tells the story of that friendship with affection and clarity. At the same time, he provides a delightful account of the intellectual and political ferment of the conservative resurgence that Buckley nurtured and led.
Witty and poignant, Right Time, Right Place tells the story of a young man and a political movement coming of age -- and of the man who inspired them both.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
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About the author
Richard Brookhiser
33 books126 followersRichard Brookhiser, author of Founding Father (Free Press 1996), is a senior editor at National Review and a columnist for The New York Observer.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
June 26, 2025
It’s a bit hard to rate this short (250 page) memoir. It’s not exactly strictly autobiographical, nor is it strictly a tale of Richard Brookhieser working relationship with Bill Buckley, founder of National Review (where Brookheiser first published, age 14, then became executive editor). It’s a bit of a coming of age story of someone just a hair older than me, who I’ve met, who’s smarter than me, who had a far more prestigious academic background, and wrote far better books. Yes, I’m jealous.
Brookheiser gets into the habit of writing weekly letters his older brother, off at Yale. One week, it took anti-anti Vietnam War spin, and his brother suggests sending it to National Review. NR published it, as the Dog-who-walks-on-hind-legs for that issue.
From that moment, Brookhieser effectively ditches his Father, and adopts Buckley. Buckley, in turn, persuades Brookheiser to forgo his admission to Yale Law—eight years having passed—in return for which Buckley will make him an Editor and Heir Apparent to Buckley himself (Buckley must have been about 40 years old at the time). Don’t seek filth here, rather it will be tears before bedtime.
Brookheiser is a clever man and a solid writer. I enjoyed reading this, as well as his bio of George Washington, published early in the Founding Fathers bio phase (perhaps 25 years ago). But there is no way Buckley could know that a 22 year old could, 30 years later, take over for what was a one-man band (founding the conservative movement, driving the Birchers out, TV show, mayoral campaign, author, language expert extraordinaire). So naturally, Brookhieser was set up to be disappointed, and was, when the rug got pulled.
It was the best thing that happened to him, because it forced Bookheiser to broaden to biography writing, documentary creating, and a thousand other things never possible if solely Buckley’s shadow. Then, as it turned out, Buckley needed him back, and back he came, part time. The book ends with Buckley’s death.
It continues to remind me that I lived a bit of a charmed life. I made some money, but didn’t accomplish much, and don’t now care. I’ll keep writing book reviews here, and articles and books elsewhere (under a different name), but I’ll never be as accomplished as anyone who Bill Buckley would pick out of a high school back drop.
Brookheiser gets into the habit of writing weekly letters his older brother, off at Yale. One week, it took anti-anti Vietnam War spin, and his brother suggests sending it to National Review. NR published it, as the Dog-who-walks-on-hind-legs for that issue.
From that moment, Brookhieser effectively ditches his Father, and adopts Buckley. Buckley, in turn, persuades Brookheiser to forgo his admission to Yale Law—eight years having passed—in return for which Buckley will make him an Editor and Heir Apparent to Buckley himself (Buckley must have been about 40 years old at the time). Don’t seek filth here, rather it will be tears before bedtime.
Brookheiser is a clever man and a solid writer. I enjoyed reading this, as well as his bio of George Washington, published early in the Founding Fathers bio phase (perhaps 25 years ago). But there is no way Buckley could know that a 22 year old could, 30 years later, take over for what was a one-man band (founding the conservative movement, driving the Birchers out, TV show, mayoral campaign, author, language expert extraordinaire). So naturally, Brookhieser was set up to be disappointed, and was, when the rug got pulled.
It was the best thing that happened to him, because it forced Bookheiser to broaden to biography writing, documentary creating, and a thousand other things never possible if solely Buckley’s shadow. Then, as it turned out, Buckley needed him back, and back he came, part time. The book ends with Buckley’s death.
It continues to remind me that I lived a bit of a charmed life. I made some money, but didn’t accomplish much, and don’t now care. I’ll keep writing book reviews here, and articles and books elsewhere (under a different name), but I’ll never be as accomplished as anyone who Bill Buckley would pick out of a high school back drop.
August 8, 2021
This is obviously a unique book, one written by Bill Buckley's former heir apparent, who was pushed aside when WFB determined that Brookhiser didn't have what it took to run the most important political magazine in the country. But instead of storming off and joining the opposition, Brookhiser sucked it up and kept on plowing ahead. It certainly helped that his replacement was the impossible-to-dislike John O'Sullivan, or that Brookhiser is such a good writer that even he realized he should spend his time writing, not wrangling.
Interspersed with that personal drama is a history of National Review since the 1980s, along with the American political scene at large. Brookhiser's perk at the magazine gave him an inside look at much of what occurred on the national scene, but he is always respect, frequently grateful. His esteem for his wife, a strident liberal, is also touching. In short, this book is worth picking up and reading, if quickly. This stuff will become ancient history sooner than we realize, and it's helpful to have the view of someone whose boots were on the ground.
Interspersed with that personal drama is a history of National Review since the 1980s, along with the American political scene at large. Brookhiser's perk at the magazine gave him an inside look at much of what occurred on the national scene, but he is always respect, frequently grateful. His esteem for his wife, a strident liberal, is also touching. In short, this book is worth picking up and reading, if quickly. This stuff will become ancient history sooner than we realize, and it's helpful to have the view of someone whose boots were on the ground.
January 15, 2022
This book was recommended to me many years ago shortly after William F. Buckley Jr's death, and it has sat on my bookshelf ever since. I finally picked it up out of curiosity, and also in mourning of what's since become of the loyal opposition: conservatives as we once knew them; principled and virtuous. Buckley and his influence is sorely missed in this era of Trump.
Brookhiser is fine storyteller who uses wit and self-deprecation to great effect.
Brookhiser is fine storyteller who uses wit and self-deprecation to great effect.
June 18, 2017
I am 10 years younger than Rick, and a lot of my political memories overlap his. I've read NR on and off since high school, and watched Firing Line as well. Interesting to read the background of many events I recall. A great mix of personal memoir, WFB anecdotes, and survey of the Conservative movement.
January 13, 2024
4.8 stars
Very well written.
For anyone who was interested in National Review magazine, or
William Buckley or American politics from 1977 to 2007 this would
be a very interesting book to read.
Very well written.
For anyone who was interested in National Review magazine, or
William Buckley or American politics from 1977 to 2007 this would
be a very interesting book to read.
August 2, 2009
This is a memoir of Richard Brookhiser's involvement with National Review magazine and its founder, William F. Buckley, Jr. I am a big fan of National Review, a medium fan of Rick Brookhiser, and not much of a fan of WFB (although I certainly appreciate his pivotal role in founding the modern conservative movement). The tone of the book is very "inside-baseball"--lots of name-dropping and descriptions of behind-the-scenes intramural arguments among conservative thinkers of the 60s, 70s, and 80s (Brookhiser almost invariably refers to these people by their first names which is often confusing). Because I only started paying attention to/caring about conservative politics in the mid-90s, I didn't find the earlier history terribly compelling as it described cultural attitudes and arguments that seem awfully remote from 2009 (lots of stuff on WASPs, for example--I mean, does anyone really give them much thought anymore?). More recent events such as the tribulations of the Clinton Administration and the September 11 attacks receive only cursory attention. Also, I would have appreciated more information on current conservative thinkers and pundits (Jonah Goldberg, Rich Lowry, Mark Steyn) who are now involved with the magazine as these are the guys that I enjoy reading. Brookhiser is very honest about his motivations and his ups and downs with WFB (who I really have to say doesn't come off all that well in the book), and he is without doubt a gifted writer. In many respects, the book is a celebration of good writing and good writers and of people who appreciate words used well. Recommended for anyone interested in the history of American conservatism, but there's not much appeal beyond that.
August 6, 2016
I have read National Review on an intermittent basis since I was a teenager in high school. About the time I was moving from Graduate School into the 'real' world Richard Brookhiser, the author of Right Time, Right Place: Coming of Age with William F. Buckley Jr. and the Conservative Movement, was in high school. He became a journalist overnight when his essay regarding Viet Nam War protesters was published by Willam F. Buckley's National Review. In short order Brookhiser went to Yale, became an intern at National Review and following graduation became one of its editors as well. This book chronicles both his life as a journalist at National Review and highlights of the political scene on which he has commented over the last thirty years. It is an interesting story told well by Brookhiser. He had an inside seat on the right and intimate knowledge of the state of conservative journalism at National Review which was the primary journal of conservative commentary from its founding into the new century. I enjoyed the writing and the personal side of Brookhiser's story for this book is very much a memoir of his life as a journalist and writer of political biographies of Washington, Hamilton, the Adams family and others. Right Time is a political/historical memoir I would recommend to all who enjoy good writing and good reading.
January 8, 2010
This gave me some fascinating insights into Buckley, whom I greatly admire. Brookhiser was a handpicked successor to Buckley, who was later discarded in favor of another candidate. However, he stayed on at National Review and made a real success of himself as an author. It's a deep book, although an easy read. It shows Buckley in all his greatness, pettiness and, as usual by every author I've ever read, describes his immense gift for friendship.
December 31, 2010
Interesting history to me because I remember the newsworthy names he talks about. Probably of limited interest for those younger. Everybody says he's a fabulous writer, but I struggled with his style. He throws in phrases that could have several meanings or seem out of context. I was constantly thinking, "what is he talking about now? He's switched topics." Then I'd reread it, figure out an alternate meaning and mildly resent the interruption.
June 8, 2009
A must read for those interested in WFB and/or National Review. But also a great book filled with Richard Brookhiser's sharp reporting, insightful observations, and perfect aphorisms.
December 5, 2010
Don't understand Richard's compulsion to be so anti Catholic throughout the book. I've lost some respect for him and will turn to Chernow for my Presidential biographies going forward.
February 24, 2016
A serious disappointment.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews