person1952–

Christopher Buckley

Disciplines:

Summary

American satirical novelist — son of William F. Buckley Jr. — author of Thank You for Smoking, Little Green Men, and The Judge Hunter — former chief speechwriter for George H.W. Bush — one of the wittiest writers in American political life.

Core Contribution

Creates political satire that is simultaneously funny and technically precise about Washington culture — Thank You for Smoking's portrait of a tobacco lobbyist navigating morality and media remains the best satirical treatment of spin and advocacy.

Key Spikes & Highlights

Publicly endorsed Barack Obama over John McCain in 2008 — the son of William F. Buckley endorsing a Democrat caused enormous controversy in conservative circles and led to his departure from National Review, which his father had founded
His memoir Losing Mum and Pup is the most honest and literary account of caring for elderly parents (his father had Alzheimer's, his mother was difficult) written by an American author; the humor does not soften the pain

Notable Works & Achievements

Thank You for Smoking

Little Green Men

The Judge Hunter

Losing Mum and Pup

Historical Influences

William F. Buckley Jr. Evelyn Waugh P.G. Wodehouse

Intellectual Lineage

New York William F. Buckley Jr. Yale George H.W. Bush

Contemporaries & Peers

William F. Buckley Jr. P.J. O'Rourke

Minds Influenced

Political satire

Intellectual Posterity

Thank You for Smoking

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