Rating: 
Summary: A Beautiful Book
Review: This is a beautiful book by one of the most brilliant speech writers in America. I have used her books in the classroom and this one is a fantastic addition. Our beloved new president is also in the book and he is going, God willing, to make this the type of nation that Reagan knew we were capable of being. Thank you Peggy. Every home should have a copy of the constitution, the Declaration of Independence, the Federalist Papers, biographies of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln and this book, When Character Was King. I will read this book to my grandchildren. It is so wonderful to be free of the evil of Bill Clinton and we need to guard that that does not happen again. May God bless Ronald Reagan, Peggy Noonan, George Bush and America.
Rating: 
Summary: A good book written by a Reagan supporter
Review: Time and time again, Americans still vote Ronald Reagan as one of America's greatest Presidents. Wonder why? Read Peggy Noonan's book and find out.Read about Reagan's early childhood; his troubles with an alcholic father; his early days working radio; his acting career (cut short by the war); his time as a liberal Democrat; his leadership while head of the Screen Actors Guild and his fight against the Red-scare; his work giving speeches for GE; his rise to political power as Gov. of California (note his "rebate" plan which outraged Dem's - because their was a California surplus, he estimated the cost and told taxpayers to just send in 90% of what they owed in taxes that year!!); the assasination attempt and how he kept his sense of humor throughout it all; the Cold War; the budget wars; the Iran-contra scandal . . . Adored by his staff and those around him, both respected and despised by his enemies (including a number in the press who attacked him in a very personal way), Peggy Noonan shows us that, at the very least, Reagan was a man who never forget who he was, where he came from and what he was elected to do.
Rating:
Summary: A great book about the greatest President
Review: This book was a wonderful look into the life of the greatest American hero in history. Noonan provides a wonderful insiders look to Reagan and his life leading up to his Presidency. I would recomend this book to anyone.
Rating: 
Summary: can't believe it
Review: Peggy Noonan's ode to Reagan is well written and she is welcome to her opinion, but I feel myself on the opposite side of her "facts". I don't to understand why some people say, "even those who disagree with Mr. Reagan, had to like and respect him".????? No one that I know liked him. He was a dishonest man and a terrible president and did nothing to help most Americans. His supply side economics were a disaster, there was Iran Contra, etc. etc. and Bush is now trying to keep the Reagan papers from the public. Something to hide? Read Haynes Johnson's "Sleepwalking Through History" for the true story.
Rating:
Summary: Couldn't Put It Down!
Review: What a superbly written book by Ms. Noonan. Obviously she is in love with the man, with what he has stood for, with his background, with all of his accomplishments.. and rightly so.
What is so striking is the vast difference between the Character of Ronald Reagan and what one might view as a lack of upright, moral character by a man named Clinton who just vacated the Presidential Office, but not before desecrating the office like no one has ever done. If you are a Reagan fan, you'll love this too. If you are not yet a Reagan fan, you too should read it. Even though Peggy Noonan is partial to the man, in the interest of impartiality and fairness she balances her presentation by including stories and events that are not very flattering Mr. Reagan's legacy, but were events that helped to shape his own character as time moved on.
Rating:
Summary: Character Counts
Review: As a teacher, I am interested in the "character counts" initiative in New Jersey. We urge students to read two types of books, one on the basic philosophy behind "character counts", the other on the practical aspects of "character counts". I have been passing around Norman Thomas Remick's book, "West Point", to my students as the one for the basic understanding of what character is. After reading Ms. Noonan's wonderful book, "When Character Was King", I intend to obtain several to pass around to our students as a good one to read as a practical example of character in action. Who better to have our children mimic than a President of the United States? As the Remick book is surprisingly easy to understand, Ms. Noonan has done a similar service by writing in plain (though eloquent), clear language that everyone can understand. No matter what one's political leanings are, I'm sure they want to help our children. I believe "When Character Was King" is a book that will help to do that.
Rating:
Summary: Tear down that wall
Review: Noonan makes a great case for Reagan being a great President. I think a little is hero-worship for someone she worked closely for the white house but nevertheless she backs it up with stories throughout his life of how he demonstrated character and did what he said he would do as President. Also her insider approach allows the reader to learn more about the man than we thought we knew. I think the most interesting part is how Ronnie stuck to his guns in dealing with the Soviet leadership and it proved to be the right thing to do. He was a leader who didn't do a mission-shift midway through his presidency nor did he lead by polls. Personally, I think Noonan jumped around a little too much at the beginning but I still give it 5 stars as I could not seem to put it down. Even though I admired Reagan before, my admiration grew as I read this book.
Rating:
Summary: An Outstanding Writer Explains A Great Man
Review: Peggy Noonan is one of the finest political writers of our time. First of all, she is simply a very talented writer. I would read her version of the phone book if she annotated it! Beyond her skill, Noonan has a remarkable eye for cutting through a story and getting the most important lesson that might be found within. She keeps her reader totally engaged and manages to make us feel a part of her story. Throughout this book, I kept feeling like I was sitting next to Noonan engaged in a fascinating conversation about Ronald Reagan's life. There are a lot of writers and many books published. Noonan is singular in her skill and ability! In When Character Was King, Noonan takes the reader through Ronald Reagan's life with an eye to capturing the essence of the man. She succeeds remarkably!. As we have allowed twenty years to pass, Ronald Reagan indeed re-emerges in this book as a one truly great and special man -- calmly and humbly, changing the world around him for the better. Historical and spiritually enriching! Highly recommended -- and not just for Reagan fans!
Rating:
Summary: A GREAT Reagan book!!
Review: This book is so well-written! Peggy Noonan has written such a great book that I could not stop reading it!!! She also thoroughly researches any criticisms of Ronald Reagan and proves them wrong!! Ronald Reagan is such a great man of character and this book is so inspiring! I was left with so much admiration for Ronald and Nancy Reagan as a result of this great book!! I highly recommend it!
Rating:
Summary: Peggy Noonan hits the nail on the head
Review: The subject content and Peggy Noonan's style of writing make it impossible to put this book down once you begin reading it. She captures not only the facts on President Reagan but paints a picture easily viewed throught your minds eye and makes you feel you were standing with her to watch the events she describes. This is a must read and should be required reading for current middle and high school students in America.
| 
