Getting About

More about the book

William F. Buckley Jr., renowned political commentator and author of sixteen novels, was also a masterful travel chronicler. This collection features over a hundred of his articles detailing adventures by boat, train, and plane, capturing a lifetime of exploration from Annapolis to Zurich and the Azores to the Virgin Islands. As an elegant jetsetter and literary journalist, Buckley excelled in travel writing, winning first place in the Magazine Article on Foreign Travel category at the Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition for pieces written during his 1989 global travels. A gifted storyteller, he skillfully blended fiction with reportage, creating entertaining narratives filled with exuberance and authority. His passion for Bach influenced his sentence composition, while his talent for setting the scene shines in tales of the Orient Express, skiing at Alta, and vacations in Barbuda. Though he often featured himself in these stories, he never overshadowed the narrative. Buckley candidly recounted travel mishaps, like a 60-foot schooner breakdown in the Bahamas or a compass failure that left him stranded. He also critiqued the travel industry, humorously suggesting airports offer gourmet box lunches. This delightful collection not only provides enjoyment but also enriches Buckley's legacy, especially with his centenary approaching in 2025, complemented by Bill Meehan's insightful introduction.