Lawrence Perelman
@larryperelman
Author: American Impresario: William F. Buckley, Jr. and the Elements of American Character (Feb. 25, 2025) CEO @semantixcreativ / classical music biz strategy
Friendship was one of WFB's main virtues: He was friends with people from all walks of life. Friendship was his lifeblood and he didn't judge people based on their politics. He was a master debater and this gave him the ability to see through disagreement and retain friends.
"Bill was open to other ideas, not just his." @larryperelman, author of "American Impresario: William F. Buckley Jr. and the Elements of American Character," reflects on Buckley's ability to forge friendships across philosophical and political lines.
I'm honored @KirkusReviews has reviewed my. book! Excerpt: "...[American Impresario: William F. Buckley, Jr. and the Elements of American Character] effectively reveals a personal side of the conservative thinker beyond his public persona. An intimate, if sometimes-idealized,…
William F. Buckley, Jr., age 42, on the cover of Time Magazine from November 3, 1967 which said, "Conservatism can be fun." Iconic cover for an iconic man!
I remember when that article came out. Influenced me.
William F. Buckley, Jr., age 42, on the cover of Time Magazine from November 3, 1967 which said, "Conservatism can be fun." Iconic cover for an iconic man!
This should be front page news everywhere, ever year to instill inspiration in each generation. We take these achievements for granted and the end result is a society that forgets its heroes. Thanks for posting!
Those three flew that rocket to the Moon, and with Mike orbiting, Neil and Buzz walked on the surface 56 years ago today. One of the greatest achievements in all of history, it still inspires the world.
Consider reading my memoir of my friendship with the great WFB. It might give you a more positive impression than you came away with in your review. My friendship with Bill was mentioned towards the end of the 1,000 pages. a.co/d/23A12uW
Exclusive: I have never shared an image of the first letter I received from William F. Buckley, Jr. in 1994. Every morning I look at this and it reminds me of what is possible in life! Imagine receiving this letter from your hero at age 18! I wrote Bill thanking him for…
This photo of William F. Buckley, Jr. by Jan Lukas is the real WFB; playing his beloved Bosendorfer piano at his New York City home. Nearly all of the coverage of the new biography by Sam Tanenhaus has missed this point and how classical music and the discipline of learning an…
How serious was William F. Buckley, Jr. as a pianist? So serious that he developed a new notation system (!) and wrote a book on playing the instrument: "Getting back to the piano, of course you can play!" Do you know of other political thinkers or figures who are this passionate…
Piano shmiano. I needed him to give me a new notation system on immanentizing the eschaton!
How serious was William F. Buckley, Jr. as a pianist? So serious that he developed a new notation system (!) and wrote a book on playing the instrument: "Getting back to the piano, of course you can play!" Do you know of other political thinkers or figures who are this passionate…
Which quote motivated you most when you were growing up? Hands down for me was this Teddy Roosevelt quote: "Far better is to dare might things, to win glorious triumphs, even checkered by failure, than to dwell in that twilight that knows not victory or defeat." I guess he could…
Exclusive Excerpt from American Impresario: William F. Buckley, Jr. and the Elements of American Character. From Chapter 1: The Diabelli Variations: February 19, 2008; about one week before Bill Buckley passed away: On February 16, 2008, I received an urgent email from Bill…
The "not the critic that counts but man in the arena who gets bloodied" was a good one. Also this from Coolidge rocks, viz., "unrewarded genius is almost a proverb" ... true dat, Cal.