Know Your Enemy19 Mar 2024

UNLOCKED: Keeping Up with the Bozells

What can four generations of men named "L. Brent Bozell" tell us about the trajectory of modern American conservatism? Well, quite a lot. In this classic KYE bonus episode from February 2021, newly unlocked for these last weeks of Lent, Matt and Sam discuss one of the first families of the postwar right, which ends up being a story about faith, fanaticism, and the "awful grace of God."

From the union-busting, ad-man scion (Brent Sr.), to the fiercely brilliant and troubled National Review editor-turned-Catholic zealot (Brent Jr.), to the insipid media watchdog and Trump apologist (Brent III), and finally, to the ball-cap-wearing January 6 capitol siege participant (Brent IV, aka "Zeeker") — the Bozell epic has all the elements of a great family saga: pathos, intrigue, tragedy, farce, decline, and even a bit of redemption.

In classic KYE fashion, we over-prepared and over-imbibed to bring you this story. Please enjoy responsibly!

Further Reading:

Jeet Heer, "Meet the Bozells, America’s First Family of Right-Wing Violence," The Nation, February 22, 2021

Jon Schwarz, "Accused Capitol Rioter Brent Bozell IV Comes from Right-Wing Royalty," The Intercept, February 17, 2021

Timothy Noah, "The Rise and Fall of the L. Brent Bozells," The New Republic, February 19, 2021

Eve Tushnet, "Order, Chaos, Peace," The American Conservative, November 18, 2016

L. Brent Bozell Jr., "Freedom or Virtue?" National Review, Sept 11, 1962

Daniel Kelly, Living on Fire: The Life of L. Brent Bozell Jr., Intercollegiate Studies Institute, January 2014

Further Listening:

"Conservative Intelligentsia with Sam Adler-Bell & Matt Sitman," The Dig, February 18, 2021

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