William F. Buckley's greatest lesson

William F. Buckley Jr. was a leading American intellectual who helped shape the modern conservative movement. He founded National Review in 1955, hosted the long-running TV show Firing Line, wrote more than 50 books, and was a profoundly influential figure in U.S. political life throughout the late 20th century.

In William F. Buckley Jr.’s Guide to Friendship in a Polarized Era: Lessons in Civility from a Catholic Conservative Icon, author Josh Cohen explores how meaningful friendships can be sustained even in times of intense political division. Drawing on the life and example of Buckley, who famously engaged people across ideological lines, the book argues that sharp disagreement doesn’t have to mean hostility and that principles such as civility, Christian ethics, and open dialogue can be restored to public life.

Cohen is a writer and editor based in Minnesota. He hosts the blog Eyewitness History, where every week he shows listeners a passage from history through the eyes of the people that watched the events that shaped our world.

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