When Character Was King

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful book about a great man
Review: Among Reagan fans, Edmund Morris's book "Dutch" was a disappointment. It gave some insight into Reagan but was confusing to read as the author intruded often in the narrative. Some thought it would negatively impact on Reagan's legacy. But maybe Morris's book has had a positive impact for it has caused others to come forward and tell their stories of Reagan. In a Different Drummer, Michael Deaver said he was motivated to write about President Reagan because of some of the things that upset him in Morris's book. Peggy Noonan does not mention in her book that she has the same motivation, but if Morris's book did cause her to write "When Character Was King", fans of Reagan (and there are many) must thank Edmund for "Dutch".

"When Character Was King" is a remarkable book - heartwarming, inspirational, uplifting. Noonan provides valuable insights into Reagan, and provides enough facts and stories to keep everything moving. I particularly liked the fact that she included texts of some of his speeches. I also enjoyed the interviews with people in the Reagan administration as well as with current President George W. Bush, who obviously is a big fan of Reagan.

Noonan has written a great book. I encourage anyone wanting a basic, brief history of President Reagan to read it. I also encourage anyone wanting to learn more about the President to read it. As his legacy grows, perhaps more great books like this will be written about President Reagan.

Rating:
Summary: Wow - good and bad
Review: Wow. This is so magnificently written. Noonan is blessed by God with a gift for words. What this book really is a tribute, and she only uses information that will support that. She does it well; she is a brilliant propogandist. But under the soothing and calm is a rage against anyone or anything that even gently seeks to conflict with the perfectly ordered world of the Ruler Reagan and his gal Peg. No, families never have any troubles. Women are always doing their Stepford best. Kids from good families don't experiment with drugs or sex. This book and the whole lot of recent Reagan books reminds me of the same worship campaign that the Kennedys orchestrated in the post-JFK assassination period. It will probably be some time before we can get a truly fair and balanced and objective view of a good man who was not the best President.

Rating:
Summary: Fabulous!
Review: I didn't even vote for Reagan but this is a darn good book! Full of info, Ms. Noonan seems to want to put every facet of Reagan into this remarkable book. Buy it now!

Rating:
Summary: Inspirational
Review: Regardless if you are a democrat or a republican. This book is awesome. I found it to truly be inspirational. I am so grateful for writers like Peggy Noonan, who can so beautifully put into words and describe for the mind's eye, the message she is conveying. I have found myself reading certain chapters over and over, often times leaving tear stains. What an awesome tool for generations to come,-- this book, about one of the greatest Presidents in modern times. Once you read this book, if you didn't already realize, you will learn what an awesome man Ronald Reagan really was. There could not be a better title for this book; When Character was King!!

Rating:
Summary: Interesting Insight from Inside
Review: It must be hard to write a good biography and I appreciate Peggy Noonan's attempt to analyze President Reagan based on a theme; in this case character. Too often the biograpghies I read are long and lack a flow. This book is short, to the point, and has an easy to follow flow.

Please disregard the previous reviews as they seem based more on political idealogy than observing the book for its entertainment value. I think this book was well worth the time and has encouraged me to look into Peggy Noonan's other books, too.

I know much more about President Reagan than I did before I read the book and to me, that means the author's endeavor was successful.

Rating:
Summary: Understanding Reagan
Review: The book is well-written with Peggy Noonan's unique and gifted style. The book successfully understands Reagan character. The insights are comical,courageous and sad like life. There is the very strong thread of understated faith which was at the essence of Reagan's character.
Hopefully this book is able to explain Reagan to the critics of his policies such as his daughter Patti Davis who obviously loves him so very much but disagrees with his policies for the reasons as she set forth to the author when she witnessed the "The Speech" in 1964. The book is bountiful with wonderful observations, quotes and insights. The book as the man is honest,not clever, and inspiring.

Rating:
Summary: Brings out the best in RWR and in Ms. Noonan's writing
Review: This is a very good, beautifully written book. Writen by a former Reagan speechwriter, When Character was King is at times both humorous and touching. Ms. Noonan writes from the inside, and offers poignant portraits of our former president, who, because of his essential kindness and courage, as well as for his immense historical achievements, she is very fond of.

I am very happy to have read another book by Peggy Noonan and would recommend this book to those are interested in how one's character is inseparable from true greatness as a human being.

Rating:
Summary: Fresh, first hand insight into presential leadership
Review: This book provides a fresh, first hand insight into the nature of Ronald Reagan's presidential leadership. While it is experience and fact-based, it is most valuable for her insight into the heart, mind and soul of a man as a leader, and the leader as a man. Add to that the clear, fresh, witty writing of Ms. Noonan and this becomes a valuable addition to any fan or scholar of history, presidential leadership, Ronald Reagan or of leadership in general.

Rating:
Summary: You won't want the story to end!
Review: This book was an absolute pleasure to read. The story is fascinating, eye-opening, and ultimately inspiring. Peggy Noonan is a very gifted and talented writer. To crib the blurb on the back of the dust jacket, "she writes like an angel." Pair this with her subject, surely one of the great figures of American history, and you have sure-fire winner of a book. I can't imagine anyone not being touched and moved by it. I read it on the subway to and from work, and alternately had to stifle tears as well as peals of laughter. I hated it to end.

Rating:
Summary: An actor, a president and mass murderer
Review: It always bothers me that when people talk about Ronald Reagan they say how great a leader he was, how spritual he was and how great of a man he was. No book ever mentions how he basically destroyed Central America, and sold weapons to Iran. He was a very spritual man killing other 100,000 people in various third world countries in Central America so he could make sure the U.S has cheap labor. Not much of a president but one hell of a killer.