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Summary: A Wonderful View of Reagan as a Man.... A True Leader
Review: When Character Was King, by Peggy Noonan is a well-organized description of President Ronald Reagan. Noonan, a former aide to President Reagan, displays more than the historical acts of this wonderful President. Noonan has the ability to dig deeper into Reagan the man than any other biographer that I have had the opportunity to read.As a personal fan of President Reagan and his accomplishments, I found it very interesting to learn more about the personal trials and tribulations of Mr. Reagan - even before he was elected President of the United States of America. His personal struggle to know himself and his true abilities, as well as the struggle to bring the United States and the Soviet Union to a diplomatic relationship is truly enjoyable to read through the eyes of a woman that knew him. The personal accounts of President Reagan's family and friends - as well as political adversaries proves only one thing, that Reagan was a man that was both loved and admired by the majority of people whom he came in contact with. He touched more lives than he had probably ever known. The personal accounts move more closely to proving what I have believed for many years - that Ronald Wilson Reagan was perhaps one of the greatest leaders the United States and the World has ever seen. Although I have never had the opportunity to meet President Reagan, I feel that after reading this version of his existence, I know him a little more. I am sure that his legacy will live on for many many years through the works of Noonan and like authors. I have enjoyed this work very much, and urge anyone who wishes to know a little more about the man behind that President... The true leader that emerged in times when the country needed him most. It is with great respect to the lasting legacy of President Reagan that I recommend this read to anyone who loves the Gipper and what he stood for. May God Bless President Ronald Wilson Reagan.
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Summary: Another side of a great President
Review: Readers who admire Ronald Reagan will enjoy getting to know the human side of the man through the eyes of someone who worked with him, respects him, and loves him. It's easy to read, and it's inspirational.
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Summary: When Character Was King- a very good and true title
Review: This was not a book I picked up by choice. So, considering that it was something I had to read for school, I'll give it three stars. I knew nothing about Ronald Reagan, except that he was shot. However, I now know a little bit more about him as a president and personally. I didn't know, as this book continually pointed out, that Ronald Reagan was a kind man who had dignity but treated everybody equally. It was also interesting to read about his life transitioning from actor to President. That is quite a miraculous life! I recommend this book to anyone who's intersted in government, or just about life changes in general.
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Summary: Barren Terrain
Review: "The battle for the mind of Ronald Reagan was like the trench warfare of World War I: never have so many fought so hard for such barren terrain." ATTRIBUTION: Peggy Noonan (b. 1950), U.S. author, presidential speechwriter. 'What I Saw at the Revolution,' ch. 14 (1990). Noonan worked as a special assistant and speechwriter to Reagan, 1984-1988.
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Summary: Feel-Good book of the year
Review: A great book by a great author about a great man. Buy this book!
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Summary: Beneficial
Review: No matter what you think of Ronald Reagan, no matter where you fall, you cannot disagree he is one of the most important figures of the past century. Noonan helps unravel some of the Reagan mystery in her work, "When Character Was King." Good Points about the book:
1) This books reads like a fine wine, it is smooth, and keeps you entertained with witty stories about the former president.
2) It is concise, not exhaustive, but gets the job done.
3) Gives you an insider perspective.
4) Touches on Reagan's union days in a comprehensive format. Things to be desired: 1) This book is written by a spin-doctor who loves Reagan, so, it is inherently pro-Reagan, which is fine, but will rub some the wrong way.
2) It seems when reading this book, Reagan could almost do no wrong.
3) Iran-Contra was covered very well, until the end when Noonan tries to spin the actions of Poindexter/North & the boys as patriotic and romantic, good spin, maybe not that accurate. In total, this is a fine book, worth reading, but if you read this also read the other biographies of Reagan to get a full perspective. Overall, biased, but well-done.
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Summary: The Best Fantasy Book I Have Ever Read
Review: This book is complete fantasy. The writer trys to gloss over or omit any wrong doing on the part of the monster reagan.
Check out Reagan's America by Lloyd Demause or Blinded by the Right
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Summary: Warm and Fuzzy
Review: How you view this book will be determined mostly by how you already feel about Ronald Reagan when you begin reading. I found "When Character was King" to be well written with an enjoyable, engaging tone, however, I am bothered that the author spins a relentlessly positive picture of a complex presidency that deserves a more balanced analysis. For example, President Reagan certainly earned his spurs and deserves his legacy as the man who faced down the Soviets and this is well documented here. But the author glosses over the fact that the largest peacetime military buildup in history (one of the key factors in forcing the Soviets to the table) cost a lot of money that had to come from somewhere and certainly contained broad social and economic consequences. It's as if the money was pulled out of a hat. Also, the not-so-subtle jabs at Presidents Clinton and Carter were annoying as were the frequent comparisons to JFK and the puffing up of President Bush Junior. Although I prefer a more balanced view, I recommend "When Character was King" as a good read about a fine American.
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Summary: A New Consideration for the President
Review: After enduring 8 years of 'good times' without any moral compass we are left to ask a basic question. "What do we need out of our President?" The 90's generation will likely answer "It's the economy stupid." However, as each month passes we clearly see the compelling difference between RR/GWB and WJC -- Character. Peggy Noonan's book is obviously an 'ode' to the one person she admires most. But it raises a point to ponder. What do we need out of our President? Noonan provides the answer: Character, Inspirational Leadership and Vision. It is interesting that we are once again hearing the same jokes as we did in the 80's about the presidential intellect but even the Dems concede that GWB is a 'good man.' GWB, like RR, is a man of character. When Character was King is superbly written and puts you in the room with its fantastic prose and detailed accounting of past conversations and experiences. I found myself with a lump in my throat when I read the selfless account of the assasination attempt and Reagan's subsequent recovery. I was overwhelmed with a 'greatness of man' that I rarely see these days. I've made this book a gift for others 6 times now without consideration for political affiliation (at least 2 confirmed dems), all unaminously enjoyed the book and appreciated the candid review of Reagan's life. Is this a must read, no, but it certainly has me thinking about "What do we need out of our President?"
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Summary: Forrest Gump Goes to Washington
Review: Simple or simpleton? As a surly Democrat who had to live under "welfare queens" and other Reagonisms for eight long years, I often found myself asking that question about Ronald Reagan. Peggy Noonan framed that question and, not surprisingly, advocated for simple. Few pages in her book fail to contain adjectives such as "great", "honest" and "decent". In one page she literally claimed that the clouds would break just so the sun could shine on Ronald Reagan, and that wasn't her corniest passage. On another page, Noonan puts together the first modern justification for McCarthysm that I've ever seen, all to make Reagan's leadership in the Red Scare look like a decent thing to do. Despite these grousings, I have to admit that Noonan did an absolutely phenomenol job in illustrating the character of Ronald Reagan. Her writing was colorful, dramatic and entertaining. Her account of Reagan's assasination attempt qualifies as the most riveting passage I have ever read in any presidential biography, and I have read several dozen. She leaves little doubt that in terms of character, Reagan was a great man. Reagan sincerely acted on what he felt were the country's best interests. He adhered to his principles and he acted on an instinctual desire to do what's right. Notice that although a democrat like me can concede that Reagan was a great man, I am not conceding he was a great president. Noonan's focus on simple decency did little to distract my attentions from the simpleton side of her question. Although not intentionally, Noonan's makes it abundantly clear that Reagan saw the world in terms of good and evil, black and white. This is a dangerous perspective for a world comprised entirely of varying shades of grey. Ultimately, Noonan's book establishes that Reagan was both simple and a bit of a simpleton. She answers the simple/simpleton question well. I hope that she someday answers the follow-up question -- are values more important than intellect in the presidency?
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