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Many books have been written about Ronald Reagan, but this collection of his letters must certainly be among the most varied and revealing about every aspect of the man. Organized by themes such as "Old Friends," "Running for Office," "Core Beliefs," "The Critics," and "Foreign Leaders," the book contains over 1,000 letters stretching from 1922 to 1994. Whether discussing economic policy with a political foe, dispensing marital advice, or sharing a joke with a pen pal, Reagan comes across as gracious, caring, and inquisitive. Even when responding to blistering criticism, he remained fair and thoughtful. As one would expect, many of the letters are addressed to world leaders, well-known American politicians, pundits, and journalists, and these are certainly interesting for their historical relevance and insights into Reagan's diplomatic style. Among the more fascinating notes, however, are those sent to private citizens, some of which are quite long and detailed. That Reagan would spend the time, as both governor of California and President, to respond to the concerns and inquiries of constituents reveals that he never forgot how he got to his positions of leadership in the first place. He even went so far on occasions to help make business connections for people he had never met in person. He also sent many letters to children. In one, he encouraged a young student to turn off the TV and grab a book instead: "Reading is a magic carpet and you can never be lonely if you learn to enjoy a good book."Taken as a whole, these revealing, well-written, and entertaining letters trace the story of Reagan's life and times as well as any standard biography. They also offer further proof of why he was dubbed "The Great Communicator." --Shawn Carkonen ... Read more

Reviews (39)

Know the man from his own words
Whatever one's opinions of Reagan's domestic and foriegn policy may be, it is hard to overestimate the effect of Ronald Reagan on the world around him. This outstanding book is not narrative, nor is it a history. Rather, it is simply a collection of his letters to constituents, fellow policy makers, critics, and friends. It is quite possible that Ronald Reagan will be the last president to leave us this amount of correspondence. As the art of letter writing dies, replaced with e-mail and with the telephone, this traditionally rich source for historians will likely diminish in importance.

Not so for Reagan. He was a product of his generation; and he wrote. Letter after letter reveals the real Ronald Reagan on these pages. This book and its counterpart "Reagan in His Own Hand," which focuses on the develpment of his philosophy and resulting policy positions, are both indespensible in helping us understand his legacy. Highly recommended.

A life In Letters
It seems that many here have lost what America was built on, we have a man of the people that brought this country together in a time that needed bought together. Letters that he wrote show the man for what he stood for and that was for the love of the people. If we had more of that love throughout our country we would be much better off. I've never seen so many books coming out to knock our leaders instead of united behind them. This book is a great look into a man of love and kindness and yet people still come here and knock such a man. We must respect our leaders and stand behind our leaders or they will not have anything to lead, fore we will loss our country and all it stands for. Remember the words-"United we stand and divided we fall" this country is falling each day and we as Americans better get our act together and stand behind the country and its leaders. This book Reagan: A Life In Letters should be read and look deep into the heart of the man that wrote such letters. Larry Hobson -Author- "The Day Of The Rose"

UP FRONT AND UP-BEAT
What strikes me about the letters written by Ronald Reagan throughout his life is that here is a man with strong opinions, which many agreed with and many did not. But Reagan was not afraid to air his opinions, to put his name and his face on his words. The world is filled with people who skulk in the shadows, hiding behind a veil of secrecy, spewing critcisms and non-entities under the guise of anonymity or assumed aliases. Reagan dealt with these kinds of low people when he was dealing with Communists in Hollywood. He triumphed over his critics in a manner that all people of goodness, conscience and honesty can learn from. He was proud of his accomplishments, and continually strove to do the right thing despite the bickerings and mutterings of those who were not pimples on his rear end. This is a fine lesson to learn from his letters. He was himself always - upright, proud, never hiding from his purpose but always willing to take full responsibility for himself.

STEVEN TRAVERS

AUTHOR OF "BARRY BONDS: BASEBALL'S SUPERMAN"
...

A philosophical - NOT political - outlook
I read this book in a couple of settings one weekend and reviewed it immediately. During this last week (RR died) I took it down and read it with a new perspective, one influenced not by the sometimes tawdry and hypocritical media coverage but by the words of world leaders, common citizens, reporters - a wide cross-section of Americans who came to the same conclusion about the man.

It is the height of participatory irresponsibilty to slam a book (as some reviewers have done) based on politics. We will surely see reviews of the type: "Clinton's new book is bad because he (fill in the blank) committed perjury, paid off a woman to avoid a sex case, conducted a tawdry affair with a bimbo, humiliated his wife and daughter, etc.." All these are true but should not be the basis for a book review.

What IS surprising in this book is the incredible depth and range of RR's intellectual ramblings. He possessed humility, an unending optimism and a firm belief in the goodness of the American people and the greatness of America. Subjects vary from war to socialism, monetary policy, education, science, manners, parenting, religion, evolution, custom, Greek & Roman influence, psychology, philosophy and particularly that most human of emotions, love. Letter writing of this kind, with pen and paper, is a dying art. It would be even more telling to review the original documents that were works in progress.

This most castigated of Presidents - "Hollywood actor" - had one of the most wide-ranging intellects ever to occupy the White House. Another reviewer noted Reagan's "emotional intelligence" - an apt commentary illustrated by his ability to confound the so-called "experts" time and again. Thatcher picked up on this in her eulogy with the idea - readily seen in these pages - that he had a few beliefs that were deep-seated, unchanging, and in the end, validated.

Most importantly, this book illustrates that these beliefe were philosophical NOT political - a point rarely noted. Rather than work on parceling federal funds to political allies, he worked to unshackle the economy and the result was a 20 year boom that continues today. Rather than co-exist Soviet aggression he made the bold step of offering friendship. He was no policy wonk but a great student of human motivation. It was his private beliefs that gave strength to his public pronouncements, come to life in these pages. This collection is an apt summation for a life lived well and full.

A Great Man Backed up by the Truth of History
Well, since I see the liberal know-nothings are writing "reviews" which are nothing more than denigrations of a dead man (very classy folks, as usual), I wanted to offer my own comments. Growing up during his presidency, Ronald Reagan taught me to love this country, work hard, and he spared my own children from growing up in the shadow of advancing communism. He spoke to me personally as no other President has since. This week has been very hard for me and my wife, since it seems a chapter of my childhood has now been closed.

After we are all gone from this earth, and the partisanship some of my fellow Americans have heavily invested in hating a good man, history will surely reflect the greatness of Ronald Reagan's accomplishments. Lincoln was viciously despised by a great number of people, including many in his Republican party, but through history's clear window, he has been proven to be our nation's preserver, and one of our top few leaders. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Good, but wish it were "all Reagan"
This is a fairly nice book with good quality photos of Reagan from birth to the end. I enjoyed parts of it, but there are some aggravations. There are included sections that are just outright annoying. Why on earth does there need to be a section about first ladies and for goodness sake why is there a picture of Hillary Clinton ANYWHERE in this book? If this is a book about Ronald Reagan there shouldn't be these stupid little "historical" asides. One section is pictures of other presidents that played sports. Please. I don't need this. It reminds me of my children's preachy take home school magazines. Also a forward by Dan Rather. A more innapropriate person to write a forward about Reagan I would have a hard time finding. Why don't we just get Michael Moore's input while we're at it.

I got this as a keepsake for my children since Reagan dying was a huge world event during their childhood. It has a nice sturdy cover for softback and it has a decent collection of pictures for them to look at. But to truly be perfect it would need to omit the liberal overtones and the stupid pictures that are irrelevent to the life of Reagan. A huge missing gap of this book is lack of pictures of the funeral. It was a touching and pictoral event that should be included in this book.

Buy it to complement other volumes perhaps. I think overall it could have been better.

Good Despite All Efforts to the Contrary
OK - I'll admit that I bought something from the Time/Life telemarketers. I have since been punished by receiving their relentless phone calls.

My copy of "A Life in Pictures" arrived along with three PBS DVD's, and it was a while before I got around to flipping through its pages.

It wasn't until this week that I got around to reading it. The last picture in the book was quite moving now that Reagan has exited the stage at last.

The photos are all worthwhile - though many of them can be found elsewhere. The young Reagan transitioning to the old Reagan presents a remarkable image.

Still, it must be pointed out that anyone selecting Dan Rather to write an introduction to a book about Reagan must have their motive questioned, at the very least. Having Rather opinine about Reagan is like having Rush Limbaugh write the introduction to a book about Bill Clinton.

Rather tries his hardest to say decent things about Reagan while condemning everything he stood for, and is marginally successful. So are the editors, whose captions to the photos only occassionaly break forth in utter disdain. Again - recognizing Reagan's iconographic standing, they are hesitant to resort to outright calumny. Still, they don't miss a chance to characterize his followers as "rabid," emphasize his emotional distance as a father, or give more than equal time to his detractors.

Finally, there's some typical Time/Life nonsense in the book, such as the "Other Presidents Who Survived Assassination Attempts" and "Other Prominent First Ladies" sections.

Still, one can always ignore the captions and text, and come away with a nice collection of images of the Gipper.

Ronald Reagan: A Life in Pictures
What a beautiful book documenting the life of arguably one of the most famous and successful Presidents in our nations history. President Reagan saved our country from socialist and communist forces from within and abroad and helped America become the leader of the free world, a position it still enjoys today, 20 years after his first inauguration. Here's to a Ronald Reagan, a TRUE American hero! ... Read more

Book Description

A balanced and nuanced treatment of Reagan's personal and political evolution.

• An evaluation of Reagan's contributions, shortcomings, and ultimate legacy.
• The first scholarly biography of the 40th President of the United States to be written in the aftermath of the election of George W. Bush and the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, allowing a fresh perspective of the long-term consequences of Reagan's foreign and domestic policies and his ideological impact.
• The first new title in several years in the venerable Library of American Biography series.

Book Description

Whether it was traveling with Ronald Reagan on endless campaign flights, discussing day-to-day issues in the Oval Office, or surviving the harrowing assassination attempt, former aide and longtime family friend Michael Deaver offers his warm recollections of Ronald Reagan -- governor, president, and friend.

In A Different Drummer, Deaver writes of the Reagan he has known: a man who was shy and deplored talking about himself, who would rather spend a party talking to a laborer than policy wonks; a man whose convictions remained unchanged over the. course of his life, who never used pollsters to decide In's position on issues; a man whose idea of relaxation was riding a horse, fixing fence posts, and chopping wood until his muscles ached and In's hands blistered.

Writing not only of their dizzying highs, Deaver also shares the lows, including the tough times that would test the strength of their friendship. Finally, lie shares a poignant look at Reagan today, as lie battles Alzheimer's disease, and at Nancy Reagan, as she stands by his side in her finest hour.

Reviews (40)

Lessons from the Master
For twenty years, Michael Deaver had the best job in the world (second only perhaps to Ronald Reagan himself): standing by the side of probably the most important, most inspiring leader of the American Century. A Different Drummer gives us a close-in look at our 40th President, and accomplishes what the biographers-of-record only struggled at: explaining Reagan the man.

For years, frustrated Reaganologists like Edmund Morris have told us Reagan's mind was too hard to penetrate. Getting "close" to the private man was very difficult for most people. That Reagan possesed a genius for leadership that hasn't quite been approximated is probably what made them try so hard. Deaver's central message is that Reagan was really a simple man who was utterly and completely confident in who he was, and in the greatness of his countrymen. This self-assuredness could explain his supposed lack of introspection so obsessed over by the historians. The outward self-pity of presidents like Johnson, Nixon, Carter and Clinton have made for abundant and fascinating psychological profiles of these men. Not so with Reagan. Reagan knew who he was, and had no time for self-doubt.

Regretably, Deaver's volume is all too slim. But his memories of Ronald Reagan are gripping, and will give you a more complete picture of the whole Reagan than will the works of the often confused historians.

Reagan. From a man who knew him well.
Few people ever really knew Ronald Reagan. He was a very private person. This fact led to Edmund Morris writing a semi-fictional biography of Reagan, because he just couldn't understand his psychology. Thankfully, longtime Reagan friend, Mike Deaver, decided to offer a personal memoir of his time with the ex-president.

Deaver goes way back. Back to California when no one thought Reagan could be elected governor. He spent a total of 20 years with Reagan the public figure. In those 20 Years, he understood the private Reagan and his devoted marriage to Nancy. Reagan didn't need anyone else but her. He liked and even loved others, but if they drifted in and out of his life he didn't fret. She filled his every void.

Deaver tells the story of a very involved president who read through stacks of position papers and briefings. It was Reagan's mother who told him that if he learned to love reading, he would never feel alone. The intellectuals have never understood Reagan. They have always been willing to dismiss his substance as play acting for the camera. But Reagan had the kind of vision that is rare for a leader. He saw the shining city on a hill long before the rest of us. He had the humility to think of himself as a regular guy. He felt as comfortable with laborers as he did with Prime Ministers. This was ultimately the reason he could connect with the American people.

After reading more than one account of the distant Ronald Reagan, I was very happy to read a telling that was reminiscent of the man I grew up with in my adolescent years. When Reagan spoke, I heard the voice of a calm experienced captain that was taking the ship to port. It was my misfortune, maybe, that I was too young to know how important he really was at the time. I remember the last public speech he gave in 1993, where his ad-lib humor was a great reminder of what's been missing in politics ever since. Michael Deaver helped me to remember the great man once more.

Both comfortable and comforting
No review of this book would be complete without addressing the first point to be made by the author -- a description of what this book is not.

It is not an exhaustive biography, an apology for Reagan's policies, or a criticism of his opponents. It is simply an accounting of Mike Deaver's time with Ronald Wilson Reagan.

This is a comfortable book, because it is written with an ease and familiarity born of friendship. It is comforting, because it shows that behind the scenes and out of the spotlight, Ronald Reagan was as genuine as he appeared to be. His integrity and conviction was not an act.

Deaver could easily have used this book for self-promotion, but he wrote it in the same way he served Reagan -- with wholehearted committment to his friend and boss.

Reagan's person and policy has been, and will continue to be studied, criticized, and defended. Biographies and collections of works will tell much of the story. But none of them will offer such a simple glimpse into the public and private nature of the 40th President as does this recounting of memories shared by a loyal friend and advisor.

In the wake of Ronnie's death, indispensable
After the massive disappointment of Edmund Morris' "Dutch", I thought I would give up on outside accounts of the Reagan legacy. Mike Deaver's book, however, brought me out of the disappointment of "Dutch" and in this week of mourning, has brought this reader many smiles. Let not the slimness of this volume dissuade you: Deaver, having been close to Reagan from before the Governorship of California, understands his subject in a way that completely eluded Morris' bloated opus and what emerges from these pages is a picture of an introverted extrovert. One sees a complex Reagan - but where "Dutch" seemingly gives up and fails in trying to understand the complexity, "Drummer" seems to draw a picture of a man who simply wanted to share his very personal life with Nancy - and respects him for it.

I also salute Deaver's work for its assessment of Reagan as bringing about the end of the Cold War, for the little-trumpeted Reagan reaction (or lack thereof) to the shooting down of Korean Air flight 007, thereby isolating the Soviets further. Hopefully, history will follow Deaver in marking this as the non-shot that saved the world from a nuclear winter.

I highly recommend buying this book now; it will become _the_ definitive Reagan assessment in the years to come.

Working with the Gipper
Michael Deaver served as the White House Chief of Staff during most of the Reagan White House years. During that time, and during the previous decade, he came to know and love the man who served first as California governor and later as U.S. President during the 1980's, Mr. Ronald Reagan. In this book, he talks about his relationship with the former president, including how they first met, how they formed a friendship, and how their bond remained strong through Reagan's presidency and beyond.

Deaver first met Ronald Reagan in 1966 when he was about to run for the governorship of California. It was here that Deaver first got to know Reagan from a political standpoint. Before long, however, the friendship grew beyond politics and Deaver and Reagan became friends for life. They didn't always agree on everything, but they were still able to separate the disputes from the fact that they were still friends. Deaver points out that the Reagan he got to know personally was very different from the image that the public was used to. Reagan was popular with the people and was known for his good looks and sense of humor. He was also perceived as very outgoing, but Deaver indicates that this was not really the case at all. Ronald Reagan was actually rather shy and would prefer to talk with only one or two people at a party rather than work the crowd, like a more gregarious type of personality would do. These facts might surprise some readers who always assumed that Ronald Reagan was the life of the party in any social situation.

One thing about this book that makes it a little different from other political books is the fact that it keeps a positive attitude from beginning to end. Unlike other politically influenced books that devote a large number of pages to negative criticism and outright bashing of opponents, "A Different Drummer" remains optimistic. There is really nothing negative in this book, so don't read it if you are expecting to hear Deaver lash out at Reagan's many enemies or talk openly about Iran Contra or other scandals. It isn't that type of book at all. Deaver focuses on Ronald Reagan as a person, and he remains upbeat and optimistic throughout.

Deaver speaks very affectionately about Ronald Reagan, and this fact will turn some people off right away, particularly those who are liberal in their thinking and cannot handle hearing anything positive about Reagan or any other Republican. I admit that Deaver's words can go a little overboard, and they often overflow with excessive admiration. But before a potential reader writes this book off for political reasons, he or she should reconsider. It's true that the book is written about an important political figure, but it isn't really a political book, in the purest sense. It is really a personal book about one man's relationship with a man he admired to the extreme.

I didn't necessarily learn a lot more about Ronald Reagan when I read this book. What I learned instead was the power of friendship. Micheal Deaver has known Reagan for more than 30 years. He has been with the president during his highest achievements (like winning the governor's race and the two election victories for the White House) and during his lowest and most difficult personal crises (like his battle with Alzheimer's disease- a very touching part of the book). And through it all, Deaver has remained a friend. "A Different Drummer" is a nice tribute from Deaver to Reagan, showing how two men can remain loyal and steadfast to the very end. It's not the best book about Ronald Reagan as a whole, since it doesn't cover very much about the president's early life or achievements. But it's a good book about the relationship that formed between these two political allies and how the friendship blossomed and grew over the 30- year period that they worked together. It's full of charm and sincerity, and it makes for a good read regardless of your political affiliation. ... Read more

Book Description

As a young speechwriter in the Reagan White House, Peter Robinson was responsible for the celebrated "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall" speech. He was also one of a core group of writers who became informal experts on Reagan -- watching his every move, absorbing not just his political positions, but his personality, manner, and the way he carried himself. In How Ronald Reagan Changed My Life, Robinson draws on journal entries from his days at the White House, as well as interviews with those who knew the president best, to reveal ten life lessons he learned from the fortieth president -- a great yet ordinary man who touched the individuals around him as surely as he did his millions of admirers around the world.

Reviews (43)

Throroughly enjoyable and inspirational!
This is the first book I've read about Ronald Reagan and I will definitely seek to discover more about our 40th President.

It is amazing how Peter Robinson's memories and experiences are intertwined to present a picture of man who proved that an individual can indeed change the world.

I found myself writing down quotes from the President and insights from Robinson so that I could further reflect on how I too could learn from the example that President Reagan set, not just as a leader but as a Godly man.

This is not just a book about the 40th President, but a book about just how influential certain people, with whom our life paths are intertwined, can be, if we allow it. By describing the consistent goodness of this man, Ronald Reagan, and by focusing on him as a person, I felt as if I too could sit down at Reagan's ranch under a live oak and feel comfortable.

I also liked how Robinson deeply reflected on the profound influences that Reagan had on all with whom he came into contact.And although Reagan's own children had difficulty being close to him, I believe Robinson's book shows us how Reagan, through his life's daily example of belief in the goodness of man, can be a "father" somehow to us all.

In a time where now our own fellow Americans themselves are trashing our county's values and objecting to life here in the U.S (which I believe Reagan would be completely shocked about), this book is a reminder of who we all can be in the sphere in which we live.Peter Robinson, we want more from you!Keep writing!

It is truly a book that is so much more than meets the eye at first glance!

This book changed MY life.
The moment I saw Peter Robinson on a television program touting this book, I knew I had to own it. While I was a child growing up during the Reagan administration, even then I was keenly aware of how great and enigmatic the fortieth president was. This book did give an excellent insider's view of the Reagan White House, including great stories and 'naming names' if you will. Yet Robinson also explored Reagan's weaknesses - his trouble connecting with his children as well as trusting those under him during Iran-Contra, even though his gut told him otherwise.

Bottom line - As great as Ronald Reagan was, he was still human with faults and imperfections all his own. The important lesson is not what happens when you fall - we all do - but how you respond. Reagan came back from an assassination attempt and political scandal. He had a job to do and a Cold War to win. You need only to look at the people who lined the streets and filled the rotunda during the week of remembrance to see the result.

a young man's hero
No matter your politics HOW RONALD REAGAN CHANGED MY LIFE is worth reading, worth learning from. Peter Robinson has a fluency & articulateness that is both charming & informative. What he has to tell, to teach, is eminently useful as we go about our lives earning our quota of daily bread, & perhaps most importantly, how to live a fully savored & flavored life.

Rebeccasreads highly recommends HOW RONALD REAGAN CHANGED MY LIFE as a keeper. A book every young professional could do with reading. It is profound & humorous, interesting & whimsical, filled with vignettes & cameo appearances, history & philosophy...all written with a light touch.

How did Reagan do it?
The central question of Robinson's book is, "How did Reagan do it?"

Robinson's personal observations while working for President Reagan along with interviews with friends and associates provides insight into the virtues and character of Ronald Reagan from which we can all learn. A prospective view, as it were, of Reagan's life for use today.

Robinson assumed Reagan's serenity was a result of his luck in life's lottery. A closer examination of the facts revealed a different case. Reagan's father was an alcoholic in a small Midwestern town at a time when the children of alcoholics "suffered a particular kind of hell."

Reagan's first wife, Jane Wyman, divorced him resulting in "the worse trauma of Reagan's life."

And then his movie career ended in his early forties leading to a television career (then considered a lesser medium) because he "needed the work."

Robinson's conclusion? "He was serene because he's been unlucky, learning to bring good from bad so thoroughly that he retained his equanimity even after an attempt on his life."

Through a series of aphorisms Robinson draws lessons from the life of Ronald Reagan: "When life buries you, dig." "Do your work." "Life is a drama. Do something." "A bias for action." "Words matter." "You have a head. Use it." "Easy does it." "Laughter is a profession of faith." "Say your prayers." "You matter."

Reagan's former work as a lifeguard and actor figured prominently in the development of his character. As a lifeguard he had saved the lives of seventy-seven swimmers in the Rock River. In contrast to Marxism's belief in the inevitability of history, Reagan had personal experience that one person can make a difference in the lives of others and in history.

As an actor Reagan became accustomed to the idea of alternative endings.A fellow speechwriter put it this way, "He understands open-endedness and contingency. He sees life is a drama in which a lot of scenes still haven't been written."

During Robinson's tenure at the White House there was posted on aWhite House bulletin board a card which read, "Pray as if everything depended on God. Work as if everything depended on you."

This unattributed aphorism of faith and free will was first coined by St. Ignatius Loyola, the founder of the Jesuits. Robinson writes of that motto, "That, I thought, was a neat summary of the way Ronald Reagan led his life, and ever since I've recognized that habit or pattern of life as an ideal."

The United States was blessed to have Ronald Reagan serve as our fortieth President. As his old adversary Mikhail Gorbachev stated, "If someone else had been in his place, I don't know if what happened would have happened."

My son's middle name is Reagan
As I am writing this review I am listening to the Reagan Funeral.When I read this book written by Mr. Robinson I was inspired beyond all measure.My wife and I were expecting our first child and I told my wife due to the writing of this book we will name our son witht he middle name Reagan.She agreed!This book opened my eyes and my heart to a world from which I lived in, but could not comprehend.Mr. Robinson thank you for writing such a book!Mr. Reagan thank you for your leadership.My son was born May 26, 2004, and his name is Luke Reagan Burkholder. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A highly recommended study of a beloved personal retreat
Ronald Reagan And His Ranch: The Western White House 1981-1989 is a solidly written, vividly presented, behind-the-scenes insider look at the ranch owned by the Reagans during Ronald Reagan's tenure as President of the United States and which came to be nicknamed by the press as the "Western White House". From the security difficulties the ranch posed for the secret service, to humorous anecdotes, to visits by famous and powerful people, and enhanced with black-and-white as well as color photographs, Ronald Reagan And His Ranch is a unique contribution to school and community library American History, and a highly recommended study of the beloved personal retreat of one of America's most popular 20th Century presidents. ... Read more

Book Description

According to recent opinion polls, Ronald Reagan is the most popular of modern presidents, and yet to most biographers the man is still an enigma.  This is because, as Brown explains, no one has ever focused on this great man’s faith.  This book explores the life and personality of Ronald Reagan by focusing on his deep-felt Christian beliefs and showing how faith guided him along his distinguished career and led him to his unprecedented success.  With the support of Ronald Reagan's own words and writings and first-hand interviews of Ronald Reagan's family, friends, and co-workers, Brown weaves a magnificent story of Reagan’s strong devotion to God that will not only inspire Christians to enter public service and allow their faith to motivate all their actions but also help point others to the Cross of Jesus Christ—a cause that was near and dear to President Reagan's heart. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Poorly-written, shallow introduction to a compelling subject
Just to get the politics out of the way, I am definitely a fan of Reagan.

That said, I think this was a poorly written book. First, the tone is entirely too close to Reagan. Obviously, the author is not a historian by training or by profession, but the book would have been a better read if it had not had such a boosterish tone.

The book also suffers from a simple case of bad writing. Though there are no howlers such as dangling participles, the book certainly has a "rushed, first-draft" tone to it. It contains many stylistic false steps, and reminds me of a mediocre term paper written by a high school student. "Reagan did blah blah blah. Reagan blah blah blah." How about using the pronoun "he" once in a while?

The text is also pedantic and given to cliches. ("the period in life between the innocence of childhood and the full responsibilities is a very challenging time.")

It veers off-topic on occasion. A discussion of the assassination attempt leads to a page-plus discussion on Biblical texts relating to angels.

Citations from noted evangelical leaders (James Dobson, for example) serve more to indicate that the author is plugged into that community; they do not, however, give much illumination to Reagan. Since they don't add anything, they simply waste space.

While the book makes an attempt to link Reagan's foreign policy with his religious views, more time could have been spent making the same connection on the domestic front. Many people think that Christian charity requires government programs. I don't share that assessment, and neither did Reagan. What about Reagan's beliefs lead him to reject that association? A case can be made, but the author doesn't do it.

The book does have some value. The description of the assassination attempt and the medical aftermath was interesting; perhaps the author's medical training helped out here. I was unaware of the ecumenical nature (Catholic father and brother; Protestant mother) of his birth family. That experience may helped Reagan reach out to the pope as well as to evangelical protestant leaders. The interviews that Reagan gave in the 60s and earlier, dug out by the author, give this member of the faith the conviction that Reagan was a true believer, and not a poser who conveniently mouthed a belief system just in time for electoral success.

I have not read Paul Kengor's book on the same subject, but having seen him on C-SPAN, I suspect that he's given a more in-depth, better written treatment to this important question of Reagan the man, the president, and the Christian.

Good Introduction to Reagan
This book does not claim to offer an in-depth biography of Reagan, just an introduction to a frequently ignored but fundamental aspect of Reagan: his religious faith in God's plan for each individual. The book is personally inspiring because Reagan himself had his tough times: an alcoholic father, a broken engagement early on, a terrible death threat from Hollywood Communists, losing an infant child, an unexpected divorce, a disappointing movie career, and a tough loss to Gerald Ford for the 1976 Republican nomination. And yet throughout all of this, Reagan maintained his sense of destiny rooted in trust that, by God's providence, all would in the end turn out for the better. And it did.

On a more political level, the book has a chapter that captures a coalition that came into its own under Reagan and may very well decide the current presidential election: the coalition of evangelical Protestants and conservative Catholics. The Republican Party of today is unimaginable without that coalition. And all of that is owed to Ronald Reagan who, as the book points out, was uniquely situated to foster this new coalition, given his background with a Catholic father and an evangelical Protestant mother.

The book captures what is most important about Reagan, and for that it is well worth the price.

In light of Reagan's Death
When President Reagan died I felt that I wanted know more about his faith and family. This book gave me a rare peek into the very private life of President and Mrs. Reagan. It answered my questions, like if he has a strong faith in God why didn't he go to church. I highly recommend this book. It is a quick and easy read and highly informative. Michael Reagan wrote the forward, and he amazed me with his hearty endorsement of the book's conclusions. This book has even helped me sort out my own beliefs.

I am Not Enamored
I have to admit to being suspicious of a book that purports to plumb the depths of the faith of someone who rarely went to worship services for decades, and whose main demonstration of faith seemed to be his references to good versus evil (e.g., the Soviets), and his stated belief in Armageddon. However, it is clear that Mr. Reagan did have a belief structure to his life, which makes the examination thereof a not-unreasonable task.

However, I found this book to be overly-facile and simplistic. Further, I do not detect the depth of research that, in my view, one should bring to as important a subject as an ex-President of Reagan's stature. Like him or not, one must admit that Reagan presided over the executive branch during some momentous events and that, further, he had not-negligible skills as a President. But after reading this book, I must admit that I still don't understand either Reagan the man or Reagan the president any better, nor do I feel that I have many insights, if any, into how his faith played into his policy decisions.

I am afraid that, unlike the other reviewers, I cannot recommend this book. There is an excellent book waiting to be written on this topic, but this isn't it.

I must admit that, in light of the current effort to canonize Reagan, I am completely unsurprised that my review has received so many "unhelpful" votes. I guess anything less than 5 stars is going to get that.

A superb piece of work
This is a book with lots of heart and soul, but the research is also first rate. I highly recommend for Reagan fans and those interested in the power of God and inspiration. ... Read more

Amazon.com

A top advisor to Ronald Reagan once remarked of his boss: "He knows so little and accomplishes so much." Reagan, in His Own Hand will show that the 40th president knew far more than some people have given him credit for. It collects Reagan's recently discovered writings from the late 1970s, when he delivered more than a thousand radio addresses. He wrote about two-thirds of these himself, in longhand on yellow legal paper. "In writing these daily essays on almost every national policy issue during the 1970s, Reagan was acting as a one-man think tank," suggest the editors. This edition reproduces everything faithfully, right down to the spelling mistakes and crossed-out words. And it offers a compelling look at the ideas and principles that animated one of the most important Americans of the 20th century. In one address, Reagan describes his contribution to a time capsule:

I wrote of the problems we face here in 1976--The choice we face between continuing the policies of the last 40 yrs. that have led to bigger & bigger govt, less & less liberty, redistribution of earnings through confiscatory taxation or trying to get back on the original course set for us by the Founding Fathers.... On the international scene two great superpowers face each other with nuclear missiles at the ready--poised to bring Armageddon to the world.

The bulk of the book comprises these radio addresses, but a concluding section includes everything from a short story Reagan wrote as a school assignment when he was 14 (it earned him a B+) to his memorable letter in 1994 revealing his Alzheimer's disease. This book will enthrall Reagan's devotees, and even his toughest critics will concede he had a way with words. No wonder they called him "The Great Communicator." --John J. Miller ... Read more

Reviews (46)

Many of Us Underestimated Ronald Reagan
This selection of 670 radio commentaries Ronald Reagan wrote between 1975 and 1979 astonishes me to no end. Although I was an ardent supporter of the former President, it seemed to me that Reagan's intellect left much to be desired. At best I concluded that Reagan had superb gut instincts, but was primarily the mouthpiece of those far more intelligent than himself. The first question concerning--Reagan, In His Own Hand--that came to mind was whether Reagan relied upon a ghost writer. After all, it is well established that some political leaders such as John F. Kennedy were credited for books they never wrote. I was therefore amazed to learn that it appears Ronald Reagan didn't even have an editorial assistant. These writings are indeed the result of Reagan's many years of intellectual inquiry in issues dominating the last three quarters of a century.

The editors of this collection rightfully describe Reagan as "a one-man think tank." His insights on why Communism would inevitably disintegrate alone justifies the purchase of this work. Reagan's detractors were upset when the President called the now defunct Soviet Union an "evil empire." Nevertheless, Reagan refused to mealy mouth the truth. In the end Reagan insisted that we stay the course in our opposition to World Communism. A weaker but still dangerous Soviet Union might still exist today had it not been for President Reagan. He was proven correct and his opponents should have the integrity to admit their errors in judgment. The great leader also clearly understood the values of Democratic Capitalism. Some may legitimately nit-pick Reagan on some of the specifics, but substantially he was on target. Reagan's own words reveal a profound realization that dire poverty can only be eradicated by an essentially free economic system; government policies may be well meaning, but inadvertently often do more harm than good.

Ronald Reagan was one of the greatest Presidents in our nation's history. Even many professional Liberal historians are favorably reevaluating Reagan's Presidency. --Reagan, In His Own Hand--deserves a prominent place in one's library. These radio commentaries allow us to more fully comprehend how fortunate we were that Ronald Reagan lead our nation during such a crucial era.

The real Reagan
This is a must read for both avid admirers of Ronald Reagan (disclaimer: that's me), and his would-be detractors in the liberal arena. Far from being an "amiable dunce", this collection of radio broadcasts and essays, mostly written in the 1974-1980 period, shows Reagan's keen intellect and focus on his areas of greatest interest, such as the superiority of capitalism over communism, and the cause of freedom throughout the world. His radio broadcasts were short, only about 5 minutes, but they show that he was well-read and informed on any number of topics. Probably the most fascinating aspect was his ability to not only write a compelling, concise story, but to edit his own material. The compilers of this material wisely chose to include the words and phrases that were lined out in favor of the final, broadcast version. This gave me some real insights to Mr. Reagan's line of thought as the essays were composed. The final essay in this book is Reagan's farewell to the American people upon his learning of that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, and is one of the most tender and touching messages I have ever read. God bless you, Ronald and Nancy Reagan.

Good Study Item
Even before President Reagan's passing, I had wanted to find a book that would outline his political views. When I finally got around to it, I chose this book and so far find it enthralling. You soon learn to read through some of the cross-outs that the editors decided to leave in because it is a book of his handwritten drafts of his radio addresses. I've decided to flag some of my favorite addresses that can be updated for the world today for later study. That's the great thing about any great thinker; his thoughts and words are always able to be updated for the time you are in, and I think Reagan's words, including these radio addresses, will live on as long as the free world reigns. Great book, you should buy it.

An open, curious, searching mind revealed
Lately I have been reading some of the books on letters from the former president and this is indeed one of the best in its revelatory powers. What is surprising - once one gets past all the soundbites of the media - is that he was incredibly curious about the world (in a sense, reminescent of Clinton) but at the same time held an optimistic, almost youthful outlook for the American people that never faltered once.

As I said in my review on Reagan: Letters, his was an intellect unlike Nixon, Gore, Dole or Kerry. He did not think in terms of politics first but always in terms of people. He was (as one reviewer aptly noted) at heart a libertarian, revealed by his comments on adult drug usage, religion, taxes and personal freedom. This most abused of Presidents (think Hollywood and academia) effectively reshaped America and the world in his image - an accomplishment of outstanding proportions that few Presidents can approach.

It is not surprising that he supported Goldwater, another closet Libertarian. (I love his comment on election day, "I voted for a few Democrats." Can one imagine a comparable comment from Delay or Clinton?) I liked the rough letters - it shows us a mind in the process of arriving at a final thought. Sometimes the marked out parts are more informative than what remains. Once again, the intellectual range covered within these words is simply astounding - economics, philosophy, the proper role of govt, the correlation between economic and personal freedom, human motivation... One notes again that these are PHILOSOPHICAL (not political) undertones - no quick and easy answers on such questions as minimum wage, quotas, throwing money at education, mass transit, welfare...these were almost too pedestrian for someone determined to change America and the world.

To quote another reviewer, RR possessed one of the rarest of qualities - emotional intelligence. He recognized why people did what did and continually sought to make American into a place where everyone could reach their full potential. Another outstanding contribution to the political literature!

Outstanding and important text
This outstanding book is not narrative, nor is it a history. Rather, it is a collection of short opinion pieces the president wrote and broadcast on radio during the 1970s. In these pages, you will find the Reagan philosophy clearly outlined, defined, and defended.

I first read this book when it was assigned for a graduate class at Wesleyan University. As one can imagine, the book was subjected to some pretty brutal criticism by the students. However, one area of agreement was that the philosophy developed was clearly his, that he wrote the speeches himself, and therefore the image of the "amiable dunce" that has long characterized the traditional academic's view of Reagan is, at least, an oversimplification. More likely, Reagan was an intellectually capable leader with a grasp of the "big picture" who could delegate public policy details to competent staffers, who at times failed in their responsibility.

Whatever your views of Reagan's domestic and foreign policy are, this book will give you insight into the philosophy that drove Reagan. Whether you want to cheer or scream at what you read, you will find the principles of the Reagan revolution clearly articulated. Moreover, this is pure Reagan. He is obviously influenced by William F. Buckley and National Review by this period, but these are not presidential speeches written by staffers and in house intellectuals. This is, to put is simply, the real Ronald Reagan. Everyone interested in understanding his legacy ought to read this book. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Book Description

"These are the boys of Pointe du Hoc. These are the men who took the cliffs. These are the champions who helped free a continent. These are the heroes who helped end a war." —Ronald Reagan, June 6, 1984, Normandy, France

Acclaimed historian and author of the "New York Times" bestselling Tour of Duty Douglas Brinkley tells the riveting account of the brave U.S. Army Rangers who stormed the coast of Normandy on D-Day and the President, forty years later, who paid them homage.

The importance of Pointe du Hoc to Allied planners like General Dwight Eisenhower cannot be overstated. The heavy U.S. and British warships poised in the English Channel had eighteen targets on their bombardment list for D-Day morning. The 100-foot promontory known as Pointe du Hoc -- where six big German guns were ensconced -- was number one. General Omar Bradley, in fact, called knocking out the Nazi defenses at the Pointe the toughest of any task assigned on June 6, 1944. Under the bulldoggish command of Colonel James E. Rudder of Texas, who is profiled here, these elite forces "Rudder's Rangers" -- took control of the fortified cliff. The liberation of Europe was under way.

Based upon recently released documents from the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, the Eisenhower Center, Texas A & M University, and the U.S. Army Military History Institute, The Boys of Pointe du Hoc is the first in-depth, anecdotal remembrance of these fearless Army Rangers. With brilliant deftness, Brinkley moves between two events four decades apart to tell the dual story of the making of Reagan's two uplifting 1984 speeches, considered by many to be among the best orations the Great Communicator ever gave, and the actual heroic event, which was indelibly captured as well in the opening scenes of Steven Spielberg's "Saving Private Ryan". Just as compellingly, Brinkley tells the story of how Lisa Zanatta Henn, the daughter of a D-Day veteran, forged a special friendship with President Reagan that changed public perceptions of World War II veterans forever. Two White House speechwriters -- Peggy Noonan and Tony Dolan -- emerge in the narrative as the master scribes whose ethereal prose helped Reagan become the spokesperson for the entire World War II generation. ... Read more

Book Description

One man, more than any other, has helped define the most important issues of our time. His name is Ronald Reagon -- one of our nation's most powerful and popular Presidents. This extraordinary audio collection includes historical excerpts from selected addresses that span his political career, laying out his vision for America and the world. From his cornerstone 1964 speech on behalf of Barry Goldwater to his moving farewell address in January of 1989, here is President Reagan as we came to know him: the public figure, the political leader, the private man. Included are personal reflections from President Reagan recorded exclusively for this production -- in an audio presentation that captures the voice, the spirit, and the intellect of the greatest communicator America has ever known. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

One for the history books
What better way to remember the Reagan legacy than by listening to Reagan's best speeches.

Remembering The Great Communicator
Reagan was a great President simply from the perspective of his innate leadership ability and masterful skill as an orator. This collection of speeches is quite compelling and an excellent reference for admirers of the honorable Ronald Reagan. I also recommend Reagan In His Own Hand, which is a little more focused on the pre-Presidential Reagan during his stint as a private citizen and Governor of California.

Haunting words.
Listening to the Great Communicator is like hearing the stories your grandfather used to tell. They held you spellbound and you never grew tired of them. The Goldwater speech rings true today. The most stirring speeches: Reagan's D-Day speech at Normandy, and his inspirational words following the Challenger disaster, are among the best ever delivered. Hearing these speeches gave me goose bumps. Kudos to President Reagan's outstanding speech writers. I recommend that you read David Gergen's excellent book, "Witness to Power." God Bless you President Reagan. ... Read more

Book Description

From his childhood in rural Illinois to moviemaking days in Hollywood and on to a career in politics that took him all the way to the Oval Office, Ronald Reagan kept an abiding faith in America and in what our country stood for. The oldest president ever, he survived a near-fatal assassination attempt and lived to be 93. Who Was Ronald Reagan? covers his life and times in a balanced, entertaining way for children. More than 100 black-and-white illustrations fill out the portrait of our fortieth president. ... Read more

Book Description

In the last years of Ronald Reagan's life, his voluminous writings on politics, policy, and people finally emerged and offered a Rosetta stone by which to understand him. From 1975 to 1979, in particular, he delivered more than 1,000 radio addresses, of which he wrote at least 680 himself. When drafts of his addresses were first discovered, and a selection was published in 2001 as Reagan, In His Own Hand by the editors of this book, they caused a sensation by revealing Reagan as a prolific and thoughtful writer, who covered a wide variety of topics and worked out the agenda that would drive his presidency. What was missed in that thematic collection, however, was the development of his ideas over time. Now, in Reagan's Path to Victory, a chronological selection of more than 300 addresses with historical context supplied by the editors, readers can see how Reagan reacted to the events that defined the Carter years and how he honed his message in the crucial years before his campaign officially began.

The late 1970s were tumultuous times. In the aftermath of Vietnam and Watergate, America's foreign and domestic policies were up for grabs. Reagan argued against the Panama Canal treaties, in vain; against the prevailing view that the Vietnam War was an ignoble enterprise from the start; against détente with the Soviet Union; against the growth of regulation; and against the tax burden. Yet he was fundamentally an optimist, who presented positive, values-based prescriptions for the economy and for Soviet relations. He told many inspiring stories; he applauded charities and small businesses that worked to overcome challenges.

As Reagan's Path to Victory unfolds, Reagan's essays reveal a presidential candidate who knew himself and knew his positions, who presented a stark alternative to an incumbent administration, and who knew how to reach out and touch voters directly. Reagan's Path to Victory is nothing less than a president's campaign playbook, in his own words. ... Read more

Book Description

A portrait of a president whose eternally optimistic spirit guided his life and leadership, Ronald Reagan Remembered captures in words, pictures, and video the private world and public presidency of a beloved national icon.

When former President Ronald Reagan died on June 5, 2004, at the age of ninety-three, the nation paid its respects and, over the next days, recalled the life of the fortieth president and anticipated his legacy. Using the resources of CBS News, Ronald Reagan Remembered provides a full record of Reagan's life and assesses his place in American history. Three of CBS News's most respected journalists -- Dan Rather, Lesley Stahl, and Mike Wallace -- offer original essays drawing on their personal experience of Reagan in action. Many of the speeches of the president known as The Great Communicator are collected on the special full-length DVD -- including the address to the nation after the Challenger disaster in 1986 and the 1987 speech at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin -- along with classic interviews with Reagan and his family. Ronald Reagan Remembered also includes Bob Schieffer's insightful Face the Nation commentary "Lessons from Ronald Reagan," a touching tribute by Reagan's daughter Patti Davis, and obituaries and analysis from the best of the print media, including the Los Angeles Times and The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Time and Newsweek magazines. Illustrated with more than 80 photographs, Ronald Reagan Remembered is a comprehensive and thoughtful keepsake of one of the most remarkable of all American lives. ... Read more

Book Description

Ronald Reagan loved to tell stories. Sometimes he used them to break the ice, or to prove a point, but very often he used them to inspire, to uplift, and to remind his listeners of what matters most in life. Recently, in the archives of the Reagan Library, researcher Kiron Skinner unearthed a trove of handwritten Reagan manuscripts from the late 1970s, over 650 in all, which included some priceless examples of Reagan's storytelling abilities. Stories in His Own Hand reproduces the best of these deeply personal anecdotes.

Skinner, along with longtime Reagan aides and scholars Annelise and Martin Anderson, has carefully documented the extent of Reagan's manuscripts, which originated as radio transcripts.Earlier, in the bestselling Reagan, In His Own Hand, the editors compiled a broad range of Reagan's policy-oriented essays from this collection, showing an astonishing breadth of vision concerning nearly every issue he would face as president. Here they reveal a different Ronald Reagan: not the political but the personal man, not the executive but the teacher.

Here is Reagan on men and women, life and death, family and friends. Here is a man who loved to tell a story to make us all stop, listen, and think about what it means to be human. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Excellent Compilation of True Reagan
This is a compilation of transcripts of Ronald Reagan's radio talk-show from the late 1970's. Reagan always loved to use stories to communicate ideas and give advice, and this collection is replete with perfect examples of that. I believe that the four components of leadership are:

1) A clear vision of a better future; 2) The ability to communicate that vision; 3) The ability to get others to want to listen to your ideas and to believe you; 4) The ability to translate your vision into action

Whatever you might think of Reagan's vision for America or of the actions he took, this book shows us how he excelled at communicating his vision and pulling people into it. He was not called "The Great Communicator" without reason, and this book shows you that reason clearly. This is a treasure for Reagan fans, and for anyone who wants ideas on how to be more charismatic.

Fabulous!
If you appreciate Ronald Reagan, you will LOVE this book! If you ever felt you'd like to know him better -- read this book! His stories and examples are right to the point. His title, The Great Communicator, is well deserved!

Very inspiring
I grew up in the Reagan era and always looked up to his leadership and wisdom....his book exemplifies this! His stories make you feel like you are part of his family and you come to embrace his values of religion and politics with a newly formed open mind. This book is full of the strength of the American people and how wonderful it is to be part of such a great nation. I have never missed Ronald Reagan's leadership and philosophies more than after I finished this book!!

A Book to Treasure in These Times
We (the editors) didn't know how much these words of Ronald Reagan might mean in these times of unusual challenge for ourselves and our nation. These stories (all written in his own hand) about people and their courage in times of unusual challenge, the facsimilies of the original documents that accompany many of them, and the photographs (many previously unpublished) of Reagan at different times in his career provide a perspective on Reagan as a person--and thus another viewpoint on his success as a politician in American life. Some stories (of his) are about his first experience with racial prejudice and how he dealt with it; his favorite jokes; his first jobs.
We think it's not only a treasure of Reagan writings, but a collection that gives us insight into the man who knew he sat where the buck stops but also knew where he wanted it to stop; and how he got to be that man.
Annelise Anderson ... Read more

Book Description

"One of the most revealing documents of the Reagan years." --The Wall Street Journal ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Funny, Informative and Insightful
Lyn Nofziger was part of Ronald Reagan's hard-core conservative inner-circle since before the time Reagan was governor of California. In this book, Nofziger provides historical insights that help us understand the Reagan we knew; as well as to reveal to us a side of Reagan we never knew. Nofziger writes about the good times as well as the bad and shows how the Reagan Team bonded and evolved over the years. It's a fascinating recollection from a man who not only was there, but who knew Reagan intimately. Nofziger's memoirs provide the reader with a greater insight and appreciation for the man we called The Gipper. The end of the book is somewhat disheartening as it reveals the demise of the inner-circle during Reagan's second term as President. As someone with a romantic view of the Reagan Era, it was eye-opening to discover how badly the Reagan Revolution was undermined from within. But, you have to be willing to accept the good with the bad. And this book will most definitely give you both. A must read for all Reagan fans. Oh, and Nofziger is as funny as hell.

Highly entertaining
Nofziger is not the hilarious donnybrook that Ed Rollins' book covering the same eras is, but it's more circumspect, more low-key, and less emotional. But it's emotional enough, and it's occasionally very funny too. Especially valuable is the inside information on Reagan's unsuccessful 1976 run. Like Rollins, Nofziger believes that Reagan's executive style of management (i.e. knowing his place) was a great strength, but his remoteness and inattention to detail also led to the appointment of the people (Baker in particular) who undermined his conservative philosophy and shunted his key advisers (e.g. Meese). This directly led to the ineffective second term and the Bush years. Thus the "revolution" was largely DOA. Nofziger is one of the good guys in politics. Honest and not self-aggrandizing. If only there were more of him in Washington. He maintains a site out at lynnofziger.com. ... Read more

Book Description

The Childhood Of Famous Americans Series

One of the most popular series ever published for young Americans, these classics have been praised alike by parents, teachers, and librarians. With these lively, inspiring, fictionalized biographies -- easily read by children of eight and up -- today's youngster is swept right into history. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Superior reading for children
This biography of Ronald Reagan focuses on his youth/childhood and provides numerous examples of how early experiences influenced later actions. Whether one approves or disapproves of Reagan's politics or presidency, this is one of a series of biographies that can be instructive for children while also entertaining. The reading level is for the average 4-5th grader.

Great Book!
I strongly reccomend this book to parents who would like to share the wonderful story of America's greatest president with their children. This book is great for reading to your kids and discussing with them afterward. The authors of this book do an excellent job of touching on the life of Ronald Reagan, especially his childhood, withou showing any type of bias. ... Read more