With this book Buckley seems to be reaffirming the decision to, in essence, cast aside the Birchers and the hard core Radians; to define the mainstream conservative movement as having limits. What proved the undoing of both Robert Welch an Ayn Rand (in Buckley's view) is their inability to set limits in their own personal and intellectual lives. Both Welch and Rand come across as too smart for their own good. Their intelligence and charisma allows them to build a growing and influential following but their personal demons and lack of restraint soon lead them to extremes and to the edge of the conservative movement. What was missing from both movements was a sense of balance and a deeper knowledge of human nature. This search for one answer above all, this Gnostic quest for an overriding key to history, is both dangerous and inimical to conservatism. In Getting It Right, Buckley seems to be arguing that Welch and Rand abandoned conservatism rather than having been ungraciously kicked out.

If you are at all interested in the history of the Modern American conservative movement, or if you are fascinated by the characters and events of this time period, I recommend Getting It Right. It is a fascinating and intriguing historical story and Buckley's unique brand of historical fiction brings it to life in an enjoyable and accessible way.