The Late, Great William F. Buckley And 'A Torch Kept Lit: Great Lives Of The Twentieth Century'

Michael Taube offers a review at the Washington Times of A Torch Kept Lit: Great Lives of the Twentieth Century.

William F. Buckley, Jr, the late founder of National Review, was one of the most talented and erudite writers the world has ever seen. Yet, for all that we have read and admired about his books, columns, reviews, essays and speeches, very little has been discussed about his mastery of a most difficult literary form: the eulogy.

To his credit, Fox News Chief Washington Correspondent James Rosen has identified this missing field of intellectual study. His new book, “A Torch Kept Lit: Great Lives of the Twentieth Century,” collects more than 50 scintillating examples of lives lived — and how a great conservative interpreted their place and value in our society.

Mr. Rosen divides the eulogies into six categories: Presidents; Family; Arts and Letters; Generals, Spies, and Statesmen; Friends; and Nemeses. Each tribute is geared in a different fashion, depending on the individual, public profile, personal relationship, and list of accomplishments. As Mr. Rosen writes in the book’s introduction, “[a]t all points, these remembrances bring us Buckley’s distinct voice: the greatest pleasure of this volume.”

And what a voice it was.

You can read the rest of the review via the below link:

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2016/nov/7/book-review-a-torch-kept-lit-great-lives-of-the-tw/