Both Woodroe and Lenora struggle with how the groups they are associated with, the Birch Society and Objectivism, fit in the larger world and the Right in America. As the story develops we begin to see how each group seems to have a fatal flaw. Welch can't seem to understand that the failures of American foreign policy and politics are not simply the result of some grand conspiracy theory wherein the communists are masterminding everything. Woodroe begins to see this when he realizes how kooky some of Welch's associates are and how unwilling the society is to recognize progress, differing viewpoints, or even honest failure. Ironically, he begins to find himself in the course of the Barry Goldwater campaign.

If Welch's extremism was tied to public events, Rand's extremism begins to reveal itself in her private life. Rand's arrogance and self-centeredness leads her to see Objectivism as her unique gift to the world; something she controls and owns. She treats the people in her life the same way. Using her philosophy as an excuse, Rand initiates an affair with Nathaniel Braden despite the fact that he is married to one of her closest associates. When Nathaniel tires of an affair with someone twenty-five years his senior Rand brings the weight of her furry and power down on him and erases him from her life. He goes from second in command and future heir to totally ostracize without so much as a complaint from his fellow objectivists.

We are left with two questions: how is the book as a novel and what is its message for conservatism? As a novel Getting It Right is on par with Buckley's previous works. The characters are interesting and lively. The plot moves with a good pace but this is not a thriller or a mystery. No, Buckley's novels are really a series of vignettes and character sketches. He paints the picture by describing the key events and ideas that make up a characters life. The result is interesting, if not spectacular, historical fiction. The fifties and sixties were interesting times and it is entertaining following two young people as they try to make their way through those turbulent times.

What gives this book added pleasure is Buckley's unique perspective on the events, people, and ideas of this particular slice of history. The history involved, and Buckley's place in it, leaves you wondering what he is trying to say with this book. In the end, I believe, Buckley is defining the center of the American Right by outlining the failings of the extremes. If the conservative movement was to succeed it had to set limits, as to what it stood for and how it would communicate and participate in the American political arena. This was, and is, an awkward and difficult process. It is a process that Buckley, as editor of National Review, was intimately involved with and concerned about. There are still those who hold a grudge because of the decisions made during that time (just ask an objectivist about Whitaker Chambers book review of Atlas Shrugged). Now that the Cold War is over, conservatism continues to deal with debates between neo, paleo, and just plain conservatives. Throw in the libertarians and things can get ugly. We seem to save our worst for those closest to us.