William F. Buckley and the Intellectual History of American Conservatism

Matthew Continetti, author of The Right: The Hundred-Year War for American Conservatism, joins prize-winning biographer Sam Tanenhaus to discuss Tanenhaus’s new book, Buckley: The Life and the Revolution That Changed America, and to trace American conservatism’s evolution from the Progressive Era, through the rise of William F. Buckley Jr., to today. Jeffrey Rosen, president and CEO of the National Constitution Center, moderates. This conversation was originally streamed live as part of the NCC’s America’s Town Hall program series on December 11th, 2025. Resources Sam Tanenhaus, Buckley: The Life and the Revolution That Changed America (2025) Matthew Continetti, The Right: The Hundred-Year War for American Conservatism (2022) Stay Connected and Learn More   Questions or comments about the show? Email us at ⁠⁠⁠[e-mail]⁠⁠⁠ Continue the conversation by following us on social media @ConstitutionCtr Explore the ⁠⁠⁠America at 250 Civic Toolkit⁠⁠⁠ Explore ⁠⁠Pursuit: The Founders’ Guide to Happiness⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Sign up⁠⁠⁠ to receive Constitution Weekly, our email roundup of constitutional news and debate Follow, rate, and review wherever you listen Join us for an upcoming ⁠⁠⁠live program⁠⁠⁠ or watch recordings on ⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠ Support our important work ⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate