It all started when editor Sam Vaughan asked William F. Buckley, "Why don't you try a novel?" To which America's most renowned conservative replied, "Sam, why don't you play a trumpet concerto?" Vaughan didn't take up this musical challenge, but he did send Buckley a book contract the next morning, and therein lies the origin of the Blackford Oakes novels, ten stories of international intrigue with Oakes, a distinctly American CIA agent, serving as a protagonist. The Blackford Oakes Reader is a collection of the character studies that lie at the heart of these novels. As Buckley explains in his introduction, "In the first novel I guess it is correct to say that I got the idea that it should frame one person (primarily). That person's character and experiences should illuminate the story." Oakes himself is the focus of the first book, Saving the Queen. Subsequently, Buckley would examine an aristocrat trying to exert his will on post-Hitler Germany, a pair of scientists dealing with life in the Soviet Union after confinement in the Gulag, a Spaniard serving as a pawn for the Party in Communist Cuba, and eight other diverse characters, all of whom find their lives entangled in the web of international espionage. Through his characters, Buckley gives a personal perspective to the most important and intriguing world events of the past 50 years. And his original introduction to the Blackford Oakes Reader, outlining the genesis of the novels, is in itself a treasure for Blackford Oakes fans.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not what I expected,
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This review is from: The Blackford Oakes Reader: Ten Characters from Ten Best Sellers (Paperback)
Don't get me wrong, I am a great fan of William F. Buckley, and have read most of his published books. In addition, I have read his columns and subscribed to his magazine, National Review. Nevertheless, this is not what I expected. This book is a compilation of several characters, drawn from his Blackford Oakes series of stories. The characterizations are good, of course, and the writing is up to Buckley's standard, which is high. But, there is nothing original in the book. It is simply a collection of characters. The book was scanned from originally published material. Some of the scanning was faulty, resulting in mistakes like 'War College' being translated into 'Wan College'. Every 'r' is not changed to an 'n'; just often enough to irritate the reader. For Buckley, who is a perfectionist, it must be cause for great annoyance. William Buckley is a good, if not a great writer, who has spent his lifetime worshipping the English language. Buy the original stories, wherein you will get all of these characterizations, and the rest of the story to boot. This book is only an appetizer. Joseph Pierre,
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tantalizing Appetizers,
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This review is from: The Blackford Oakes Reader: Ten Characters from Ten Best Sellers (Paperback)
Ingenious as always, Buckley escorts you through an introduction to his Blackford Oakes characters and makes you want to get to know them better. Helps you decides exactly where to continue the journey, exploring them and yourself. Also opens the door to your own character studies, if you are so inclined. Most enlightening!
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