Buckley: The Right Word (Harvest Book) [Paperback]

Samuel S. Vaughan (Author), William F. Buckley Jr. (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0156005697 | ISBN-13: 978-0156005692 | Publication Date: May 1, 1998 | Edition: 1

Buckley’s provocative observations on the use and abuse of English, gathered for the first time in a single volume - a “veritable cornucopia of language and logic that belongs in every library” (Library Journal). Edited by Samuel S. Vaughan.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Vaughan, who has edited most of Buckley's books since 1976, has "selected, assembled and edited with an introduction and sundry comments" a sprawling, annotated scrapbook of Buckley's nonpolitical jottings on the subject of writing English well. Topics range from notes he's sent people who have dared to correct his grammar, to letters to old friends and enemies on matters dealing with English usage, to book reviews, interviews, selected columns, essays and even obituaries, the last of which are especially flavorful. The book's conclusion is worthy of Dr. Johnson himself, a 100-page "lexicon" of words and phrases?partita, paternalistic, paucity, pedagogical?used over the years by Buckley. Much of this book has already appeared in print scattered over a lifetime of publishing, but Buckley's admirers will be delighted by the generous sampling of the author's correspondence. Vaughan's notes, introductions and running commentary more than do the job of holding together this sometimes unwieldy collection. They are downright entertaining in themselves.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Vaughan, currently editor-at-large for Random House, has edited nearly all of Buckley's 35 books since 1976. In this collection, he showcases Buckley's "language in action" rather than focusing on his politics. Vaughan has included Buckley's pieces on the uses and abuses of language, reviews, letters, and journalism, among many other things. Whether responding to letters to National Review, being interviewed, or skewering a reviewer, Buckley is prolific and provocative, influential and infuriating, and always intellectually stimulating. In an appendix, there is a lexicon of words defined and used by the master grammarian. This veritable cornucopia of language and logic belongs in every library.?Cathy Sabol, Northern Virginia Community Coll., Manassas
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: Mariner Books; 1 edition (May 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0156005697
• ISBN-13: 978-0156005692
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #425,887 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Even the title, August 28, 2000

By 

taking a rest - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Buckley: The Right Word (Harvest Book) (Paperback)

When I first became an avid reader of Mr. Buckley's work I was amazed at how often his use of words was attacked. I wondered whether a new crime bill had been passed that outlawed a person being articulate. Why should someone who joyfully uses language be pilloried for doing so? Even commercial reviewers feel the need to go to their thesaurus, trot out words that they have never used before and look foolish. They become guilty of the offense of affectation that so often is the charge against Mr. Buckley.

This collection of writing, and with it the discussion of language is many things, at no point is it not worthy of the reader's time. For all on Amazon who write their thoughts about a book, there is a section on reviewing that is priceless. The correspondence that is shared between his readers and Mr. Buckley set the standard for wit.

What is the alternative his detractors seek? Perhaps one of those books "English For Dummies?" I suppose a minimal number of words, subsidized with hand signals and grunts would please some. I choose to adhere to Mr. Buckley's love of language, even though when he is the writer I am often reduced to flipping through a dictionary. So what! The decriminalization of learning was passed long ago. Freedom of speech includes the right to expand your vocabulary in the pursuit of your happiness. To the extent others are bothered, again, so what? Apathy may have become a national pastime, but it is not required.

This book was carefully titled. I don't mean to shock his detractors but Mr. Buckley is a Conservative, so "right" was the only alternative for the title. Correct, appropriate, acceptable, could never do for this master of language. He uses a word because it works, because his choice enhances the reading and listening experience.

Grab a dictionary, expand your lexicon, the pain is minimal.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Official Guide to Using Language with Precision, July 31, 2000

By 

Mary E. Lewis (New York, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Buckley: The Right Word (Harvest Book) (Paperback)

This book by William F. Buckley is a greatly entertaining piece to those who enjoy the trivial points of the English Language. It explores all areas of the language, such as diction, speaking style and the most common abuses of our language. My favorite part of the book is Buckley's series of letters from some of his readers. These letters provide insight to the personality of Buckley and also show his unforgiving grasp of the English language.

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars When I read Buckley I hear Bach, July 1, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Buckley: The Right Word (Harvest Book) (Paperback)

I read this book earlier this year. Because of this book I have discovered Jorge Luis Borges. Because of this book I recently ordered Kilpatrick's "The Writer's Art". I discovered things about Buckley that I did not know. I knew about the CIA stuff, but I did not know about his MexicAnglo childhood. I now listen to the way he speaks when I see him on TV and wonder what was the effect on me of speaking two other languages before English. I consider English my normal language of communication at this point in my life.

One of the most enjoyable excerpts was the letter about his mother. A tear came to my eye.

The letters between he and "Kilpo" were amusing.

The interview with Borges was illuminating.

I often look at a book and evaluate the book in light of whether it excites me enough to read other books on the topic. Many books close a topic for me. This one opened all sorts of doorways.