Ronald Reagan (1911–2004)

This was a terrific book, and one that came very close to 5 stars. Why? While the first third of the book was a customary "introduction" to Ronald Reagan, the last third of the book was a fascinating discourse of foreign policy with failures - Iran/Contra, and successes - ending the cold war.

Reagan's defense of his Iran/Contra policy as not trading guns for hostages rings hollow, but his continued defense of his strategy as sound is fascinating to read. His admittance of continuing to show more pursue the policy even against his staff's recommendations is pure political drama and stubbornness.

Likewise his dealings with the Soviet Union leadership was fascinating and his single minded approach of dealing with the Soviets with strength is the key factor to ending the cold war. The exchanges documented between him and Gorbachev are stuff of legend and fascinating to read.

On second thought, I'm giving this 5 stars, a book that describes the monumental shift in geopolitics in the 80s through correspondence with the main parties involved is a great read. show less

The book is an edited version of the daily diaries Reagan kept while he was president. They're short bullet entries. There are quite a few missed days; I guess that the editor did not believe them germane. The book showed the life of the most powerful person on the planet. His devotion to Nancy is remarkable. I was impressed at his response to the liberal press of the time--he seemed to hold no animosity, but rather viewed it as a contest: "I won that round" says he. Further, he seems to show more know when he had an impact with people...or not...and commented on same. His ups and downs with the Soviets show raw emotion and dedication to the people of both nations. The book shows that the RR who spoke to us on TV was for real. show less

4.5 out of 5 stars, as you might find it a boring slog through a person's not that all revealing day planner/diary.

A judicious and nice selection of Ronald Reagan's diary entries from his time in office. These are mainly just a rehashing of everything he did on a particular day, but sometimes there is some analysis and oftentimes seeing what information is crossing Reagan's desk is helpful in realizing what is going on in his thinking and his administration. Case in point, when you realize show more that from the very beginning, 1981, evidence is crossing Reagan's desk that the communists in Cuba and in the Soviet Union are providing weapons and other supplies to the communists in Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Honduras, you realize why Reagan was so gung-ho about covert operations in the area and aid to the Contras. Without that bit of context, and liberal writers and professor often fail to mention Soviet/Castro money in these countries, it seems as if America is the only nation doing the "meddling" in Central America. well, no, they weren't. Also, you realize that Reagan was (p. 345) concerned about AIDS early on (liberals to this day want to "blame" Reagan for AIDS, for some reason) and that he (p. 434) was starting to not remember things in 1986, and it baffled him. You learn, as every Reaganite already knows, that he (a) really loved Nancy, (b) his children Ron and Patti are ungrateful ne'er-do-wells, and (c) Reagan was never the simple, smiling, dunce liberals believed then and still believe now. All-in-all, good if you can get cheap, especially as you can read the diary entries online now. Good intro, nice photographs, good glossary and index. show less

The work allows an inside look into the mind of a president which is uncommon enough. Only four presidents have done so: Washington, John Quincy Adams, James K. Polk, and Rutherford B. Hayes. Reagan then easily becomes the second most important president to do so and is one of the most significant presidents ever. It is an invaluable insider's look behind the Oval Office.

The personal Reagan truly emerges: patriotic, humorous, charitable and kind, dedicated to Nancy, health-conscious, show more politically alert, and interestingly enough, very prone to frequent haircuts. Reagan enjoyed old movies, the company of friends, and his beloved horses and ranch. show less