Gleanings from an Unplanned Life: An Annotated Oral History

United States senator, under secretary of state, federal appellate judge. James L. Buckley tells the story of his improbable transformation from a highly private businessman/lawyer into his "unplanned life" as probably the only American now alive who has served in a high office in each branch of the federal government. This thoughtful conservative provides an insider's insights into many of the critical problems that continue to face our country. His interesting, poignant, and wryly amusing memoir recalls the unusual life of this member of one of America's most remarkable families.

An interesting book, it is based on the transcript of a series of interviews Judge Buckley did in the mid 1990s in connection with a legal oral history project. The book takes the form of a question and answer session, "annotated" by Judge Buckley to clarify and expand upon some of his answers. The book follows Buckley's life from his youth through college, his service in World War II and beyond.

Buckley is the brother of William F. Buckley and as such got caught up in the burgeoning conservative movement in the 1950s and 60s. In 1970, he found himself elected to the Senate as the candidate of the New York Conservative Party, winning a three way race. After being defeated for reelection in 1976, in the early 1980s he joined the Reagan administration, most prominently as president of Radio Free Europe. One of his former campaign volunteers was responsible for finding potential judicial nominees, so Buckley found himself on the DC Circuit, hearing appeals mostly from administrative law issues. Through it all, he found time to raise a large family, help run his family oil business and indulge his love of nature.

What is most fascinating about the book is that all of it was unplanned. While serving in the Pacific during World War II, Buckley decided he really wanted the quiet life of a country lawyer in rural Connecticut. He never got his wish, but seems to have had no regrets. The book is an interesting memoir on one of an obscure, but important, figure in American post-WWII history.

Besides a very good read of his varied life as a US Senator, US Circuit Judge, US Under Secretary of State, Judge Buckley's memoir is best when he discusses his life after Pearl Harbor. He was all over the South Pacific on an LST (Landing Ship Tank)and his memory of the action in the Battle of Leyte Gulf is amazingly vivid these 60 years later. In more than 2 years at sea, he slept only 5 nights ashore. His fondness and expertise in birds is amazing as well as touching. He comes across as a very humble person. His service to his country is an inspiration. One might ask: how many Yalies go to war now...or in Viet Nam ??????