If Not Us, Who?: William Rusher, National Review, and the Conservative Movement

“Frisk’s deeply researched and well-written biography fills the gap. . . . Anyone interested in understanding [conservatism’s] rise should read Frisk’s highly informative study.” —New York Times Book Review

“Frisk gives a vivid account of the qualities that caused so many people to seek Rusher’s counsel and listen carefully to what he had to say. . . . Excellent.” —Wall Street Journal
 “As David B. Frisk shows us in this finely tuned and richly detailed biography, Rusher was one of the most respected figures in the American conservative movement. . . . Frisk’s fine book . . . [is] the best that has been written, and long needed.” —Washington Times

 Well-researched and enlightening . . . David Frisk captures the man with a keen eye. . . . Frisk’s biography gives us a full portrait not only of a good man at work, but also of an era that saw one of the most abrupt changes in governing philosophy in American history. . . . Invaluable reading for any student of the rise of American conservatism.” —American Conservative

 “Bill Rusher was the great unsung hero of the conservative movement. This fascinating, meticulously researched biography sheds new light not only on a remarkable man but also on the rise of conservatism in America.” —Mark Levin, best-selling author of Liberty and Tyranny, nationally syndicated radio host

 “It is something of a scandal that Rusher has not had a fully realized biography of his own. David Frisk has remedied that with this exhaustive but thoroughly engaging examination of Rusher’s monumental life and legacy.” —Jonah Goldberg, contributing editor of National Review and best-selling author of Liberal Fascism

 “There were in fact two ‘Bills’ at National Review—founding editor Bill Buckley and almost-founding publisher Bill Rusher. David Frisk’s illuminating biography brings alive the ‘other’ Bill—a formidable political strategist and debater who was as important as his better-known colleague to the American conservative movement. A must-read.” —Lee Edwards, author of William F. Buckley Jr.: The Maker of a Movement


“[Frisk] has done a superb job of chronicling the life and times of William A. Rusher. . . . A masterly job.” — National Review

 “In this carefully hued portrait of one of the most important leaders of modern conservatism, Frisk captures the intelligence and wit of William Rusher. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in the history of conservatism and for people looking for what it means to be a consistent conservative.” —Donald T. Critchlow, author of The Conservative Ascendancy, professor of American politics at Arizona State University


“As the right arm of William F. Buckley and in a hundred other roles, Bill Rusher fought tirelessly for the values that defined the modern conservative movement. Every American trying to recapture that commitment ought to read David Frisk’s wonderful new biography of a man to whom the country owes much.” —Hugh Hewitt, nationally syndicated radio host

 “If not William Rusher, who? Rusher was the most consequential political strategist of the postwar conservative movement; a keen partisan; a lover of good wine, good food, and good poetry; and a great guy. David Frisk’s biography keeps his memory green.” —Richard Brookhiser, senior editor of National Review and author of James Madison

“William A. Rusher is one of the premier examples of the rare combination of thought and action, and David Frisk has performed an important service to history and the conservative movement in telling Rusher’s story so thoroughly and insightfully.” —Steven F. Hayward, author of The Age of Reagan

David B. Frisk, a former award-winning newspaper reporter, holds a PhD in political science from Claremont Graduate University, completed in 2009. His professional interests focus on twentieth-century American politics and conservative political theory. He is a Resident Fellow at the Alexander Hamilton Institute for the Study of Western Civilization in Clinton, New York.