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Patrick Brennan's avatar

Thank you for all of these, Jay. It is well and proper to cherish the memories and wisdom of those who have helped us form a way of living.

The sixth of next month will mark the 120th birthday of Charlie Brennan the cop ( who introduced me to WFB seventy years ago), and I caught myself this morning quoting him. He is my hero, and I regret that I have not lived up to the model he made of himself for my benefit; but I take solace in the way his namesake, Charlie II, mirrors the quality of his grandfather. God Bless us all.

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Paul Britton's avatar

I remember seeking out and seeing The Lives of Others after seeing a recommendation in National Review -- not Mr. Buckley's column, though, I don't think.

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Aaron Barnhart's avatar

The name Rosalyn Tureck immediately took me back to Overdrive, which was the last time I got to enjoy vicariously the exciting life of (and with) Bill.

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Jay Nordlinger's avatar

What a great book. As Norman Podhoretz said, "dazzling."

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Connor Dinnison's avatar

Re your comment, Jay, about music at the end of today's installment: Did Bill have a pop sensibility? I mean, did his interest in music ever go lowbrow?

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Jay Nordlinger's avatar

Lowbrow, no. But he loved jazz, and he loved the American Songbook -- Gershwin, Porter, Arlen, and the rest. One of his favorite jazz pianists was Dick Wellstood.

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Bill Janssen's avatar

My main takeaway from this series is a sense of jealousy. For you to be this close a friend to a man like Bill Buckley? I can’t even discuss politics with most of my friends anymore. You know why. I used to think they, like me, were conservatives because they read Hayek, Friedman (and Buckley!), etc. Evidently not.

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Jay Nordlinger's avatar

I know just what you mean.

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Chad McCune's avatar

I've been reading your work since my college days, Jay (probably starting around 2007), and these "Life with Bill" pieces the last week are among my absolute favorites. What an interesting, special glimpse into unique relationship. Thanks for sharing.

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Jay Nordlinger's avatar

Thank you and bless you, Chad.

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