Rating: 
Summary: Peace Through Strength
Review: A great read. Keen insights to the man who restored America for the 20th Century.
The architecture of this book in a nutshell: the story of a Democrat from a small town, who followed his callings, adjusted his politcal beliefs, and rose to create the Republican legacy we all know. Many exerpts of commincations, both written and spoken. Too numerous to count were excerpts from his daily journals, which he was very thoughtful to keep. Photographs also told meaningful parts of the story. As I said above, a great read.
Approaching this book, I wanted to know about the man who is Ronald Reagan. What I got from this read is quite a lot about the President who was Ronald Reagan. And while I was reading to know the Reagan persona, I got a thorough history lesson about the state of domestic and international affairs throughout the 1980's. The events of Reagan's Presidency were greater in scope, more genuine in intent, and implemented with more powerful administration by one man than we ever could have imagined. (In hindsight, I regret that our slowly-grinding beaurocacy (read: Congress) didn't give this president more faith and latitude with which to follow more of his dreams for our country and the world.) But back to the book ...
A man is represented by his actions; and Reagan's actions through life as told here do quite a lot to reflect the man. The first ~1/3 of this book reflects on his pre-political life, and it is quite interesting to see his transition from youth to Hollywood to politics. Astounding aspects of many corners of life in America are revealed through qualifiable aspects of Reagan's life experience.
The remaining ~2/3 of the book covers his political years, with intimate insights to Reagan's personal life as they overlap and blend with his struggle to correct the nation's woes. Of clear volume in the book, though, is Reagan's work with international affairs and foreign policy. He spends quite a bit of time addressing Iran Contra, for which if there were any wrongdoing on his part, I've long since forgiven and forgotten. Nonetheless, it is an interesting perspective how the inefficiencies of US Government ultimately allowed (forced?) such a series of events that begat the Iran Contra affair. C'est la vie.
The last ~1/3 of the book is a fascinating look at the US-Soviet equation. Again, I was reading to know the man, not his foreign policy. Yet, I got chills reading exerpts of communiques between the Soviet General Secretaries and our President Reagan. Indeed, had I known some of the high tensions between our countries during arms talks, I would have shuddered and protested myself. Fortunately, we were in the hands of a capable President and we never knew the fine points. In fact, this is a shining example of a leader knowing what is right and doing what is right, and operating on the trust granted him by the people. Once again, I am convinced of the enormous gratitude we owe this great man. Through this last third of the autobiography, I am again shown quite a lot about the man and persona, Ronald Reagan. Wow.
At book's end, I feel I've done enough reading, yet I am thirsty for more. Stories of this power and magnitude are always compelling. And yes, I did shed a tear or two; not for the obvious stories of Reagan's shooting or Nancy's battle with cancer ... but for a simple empathy of a humble man, put in a place to rise and meet the demands of an extraordinary role at an extraordinary time in history; a common man showing us the way home.
Happy reading.
Rating:
Summary: A book that brought back memories of the time and the man
Review: A read this book and it brought back to me what a great president and man Mr. Reagan is. As time go by, we forget the times that we lived in and how he helped shape the world that we live in today.I highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Best book I've ever read!
Review: After reading many books about the time and life of Ronald Reagan, I'd have to say that this is by far the best. You get a behind the scenes view at all the action from the man who lived it! A must read!!!
Rating:
Summary: This book really helped me get to know Ronald Reagan the man
Review: As a generation Xer, my growing-up years were the 80's, and this book helped me put all the things I'd heard one the news as a youngster into perspective. It's neat getting the history from one of the people who were making history at the time, such as the president. They have a unique view and insight into the events of the time. What I also liked is how Ronald Reagan presented his life story and how it led to his presidency, and the philosophies his parents tought him about life and politics. Again, another great insight into the man. I came out feeling what a humble leader he was, and though he made mistakes, he always wanted what was best for the people of this country who he was serving.
Rating:
Summary: An American Life
Review: As I read through some of these reviews I see only hate imbedded into some of these minds, if they could only see pass their hate they could understand the man and what he has done for this country. In this book Ronald Reagan speaks from his heart, from his home life to his time as president of this great country. Turning through the pages you find yourself feeling as a friend of Ronald Reagan and he's letting you in on his life. a must read- Larry Hobson-Author-"The Day Of The Rose"
Rating:
Summary: Amiable autobiography
Review: By far the most insightful and readable of all the Reagan biographies is this, the only one written by the Gipper himself. The account of his childhood is charming; the account of his Hollywood years, fascinating; the account of his Presidency, revealing. Unlike the scowling bios from reporters and scholars (Lou Cannon, Garry Wills) this one wasn't written by someone with an ax to grind. It's refreshing.
Rating:
Summary: An engaging, if predictable, presidential memoir
Review: For my generation, the only Reagan we knew of was that of the so called "living dead" ex-president. Still technically alive, but for all intents and purposes gone from our world. In fact the first time I really ever heard of Reagan was when he annouced he had Alzheimers, the disease my grandfather died from, when I was in the fourth grade. But the Reagan who lives in these pages is alive and well. His prose is clear, precise, and flowing, as were his speeches. The best part of the book though is the one before he enters the presidency. That, the only section in chronological order, dealt with his fasinating life before 70. Some kids want to grow up to be movie stars, some kids want to grow up to be president, but how many dreamt that they would be both! The rest of the narrative topically covers the events of his presidency. Unless your are unfamilier with most of the controversies America dealt with in the eighties, there arn't many revelations here, just his perspective of what was going on, and explanations of why he did what he did. In short what presidential memoirs are supposed to be. Though there were some things I had never known about, only being three when this man left office; like that "trade off" with a Russian spy and American journalist trap in each others embassies -- I had never heard of that. Reagan is also prescient about some things that would happen after the book was publish, like a coup in the Soviet Union, a "war on terrorism" and Iraqs WMDs. Its sad, very sad, that he wasn't able to be active very long after his presidency. I would of loved to have know what the Gippper would have to say these past ten years. Our country would certainly have been the better for it. He would be a much better ex-president than Jimmey Carter!
Rating:
Summary: If You Want The Real Story, Go Straight To The Source
Review: For those disappointed in the debacle that is "Dutch", take heart: turns out that the definitive Reagan biography was authored ten years ago by the man himself. In his straightforward, unpretentious style, Reagan chronicles the journey from his humble beginnings in Tampico, Illinois to the pinnacle of power in the White House. And what a fascinating journey it is. And, what a refreshing change of pace to read an account by a politician who was fueled not by personal ambition and self-aggrandizement (ie, his reluctance to run for Governor of California)but by dedication to his principles and sheer patriotic pride. In some ways, this book is significant for what it doesn't contain: no gratuitous mud-slinging against ex-wife Jane Wyman (who is mentioned only once)or his political enemies (still obeying the 11th commandment). No lame attempts at self-analysis in the lingo of pop psychology. In fact, Reagan would no doubt be puzzled by those who claim they are searching for the "real" Reagan, since, as far as he is concerned, he was never anything but. Not only does Reagan serve as a "witness to history" for the eight years of his presidency, but for other epoch-making events of the 20th century as well, such as the Depression, World War II and the rise of Communism. All of these had an effect on Reagan and helped shaped his political ideology. In sum, if you like Reagan, you'll love this book.
Rating:
Summary: An American Life is the ideal Presidential Memoir
Review: For years I've had an extreme interest in the Presidential institutions. In satisfying this interest I've read numerous Presidential autobiographies and Reagan's An American Life has to be one of the most compelling and fast-paced. Reagan's writing style keeps the story in line and allows the full story of his Presidency to be told in a fascinating manner! I've said it before and I'll say it again, the best way to learn about the man himself is to read his own autobiography!!!
Rating:
Summary: Great Insight into Ronald Reagan
Review: I disctinctly remember watching election returns in 1980 and seeing the United States turn blue for Ronald Reagan. It was my first introduction to politics and I've been fascinated ever since. Ronald Reagan has been called many things, but this work truly shows his skill as the "Great Communicator." The autobiography is unique in the fact that it draws heavily from his diaries, instead of his re-enacted versions of past events, giving the reader a true glimpse into his true character. Ronad Reagan had the classic American story. Small town boy makes big, goes to Hollywood. That's usually where the story ends, but in his case, he took it all the way to the White House. It is interesting to realize how much his view of the dangers of the Soviet Union shaped his views of the world. Many have been critical of the fact that he focused so much of his time on the USSR, to the neglect of the Middle East and China, but at the same time, we do have to admit that his attention paid off in ways no one could have imagined at the time. What you won't find in here is what we have come to expect from most political figures. This is no "tell all!" Ronald Reagan was probably the last of the "old world politicians" in the sense that he was more issues focused, as opposed to dealing with opponents or supporters on a personal level. In other words, he doesn't dish the dirt on what he felt about those in his Administration or even in the opposition. He thought to highly of the office of the presidency to allow it to sink to the "personal attack" level. Whatever your political viewpoints are, the eight years of Ronald Reagan were a defining moment of the past century in the sense that years after his presidency, he is still as deeply loved, or hotly debated, as any president in modern history. That alone is no small achievement.
|
