Rating: 
Summary: REAGAN DIDN'T JUST CHANGE LIVES, HE SAVED 'EM
Review: THE REAGAN THEORYWhy do I think Ronald Reagan was the greatest President of the 20th Century, on par with George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin Roosevelt? Aside from his good character, his economic triumphs and patriotism, it comes down to a theory that I came up with after hearing Margaret Thatcher say he won the Cold War "without firing a shot." First, it entails an analysis of World War II, in which some 50 to 60 million people died, yet the world says it was worth it to defeat Hitler and Japan. This leads to my theory, which is based on the unfought World War III. Say this struggle was fought between freedom, led by the U.S., and Communism, led by the U.S.S.R., between 1983 and 1989. Say that during this period, 50 to 60 million people died, and the world was caught up in an Apocalypse just as terrible as the one fought in the 1940s. Say that, through better technology, leadership, military doctrine, and with the help of God, the U.S. wins World War III. Say further that the political fallout of the war is exactly and precisecly that with which actually happened in 1989-91. I say that had it happened this way, the world would again say it was worth it, to defeat Communism. Reagan did it without firing a shot, and this is why I love him so much. Furthermore, in an ironic twist, Bill Clinton owes much of his success to Reagan. The Republicans were victims of their own success in 1992. Having defeated Communism, the Military Industrial Complex came to a standstill, causing the brief economic downturn that cost George Bush his re-election. This in turn led to the Cold War dividend in which all those smart defense techies fueled the Internet revolution. Clinton, presiding over a world made peaceful by Reagan-Bush policies, his feet held to the fire by a Republican Congress bent on maintaining Reagan's economic principles, takes credit (and some of it rightly so) for a period of huge expansion of the economy. STEVEN TRAVERS
Author of "Barry Bonds: Baseball's Superman"
STWRITES@aol.com
Rating: 
Summary: Life lessons from the Gipper
Review: This book is a quick, interesting, and entertaining read by the man who wrote President Reagan's "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" speech. The premise - that Ronald Reagan makes an excellent role model for how you conduct your life - struck me as a little dubious at first, even though I am a great admirer of the 40th president. (The premise would probably cause Michael Moore's or Al Franken's head to explode.) In the end, though, Peter Robinson connects Reagan's actions on the world stage, his own behind-the-scenes White house experiences, and incidents from his personal life to develop a series of life lessons that are, for the most part, sound advice. In the hands of a lesser writer, this book might have been a patchwork of trite observations. But Robinson's sense of humor and ability to place the reader in the room when decisions were being reached in the White House make this a well-above-average effort. A few minor criticisms are in order. First, for a man who says he rarely uses outlines, the book at times seems a bit too rigidly structured. He is always saying that this one lesson is composed of two parts, each of which is illustrated by three anecdotes, etc. Okay, already. Second, it's hard not to feel the book is a bit thin for the price. It strains to surpass 250 pages, even with relatively large type, an epilogue, etc. Finally, one of my pet peeves: no index. Given the interesting portraits Robinson sketches of Nancy Reagan, the Reagan children, various White House senior staff, and his fellow speechwriters, it's a shame that you can't quickly look up the relevant passages. One question I'd love to have Robinson answer: he says there were only a total of 14 speechwriters during Reagan's two terms. Several of them, Robinson's male buddies, loom large in the book. But arguably the best known of the RR speechwriters, Peggy Noonan, is nowhere to be found. How come?
Rating:
Summary: Throroughly enjoyable and inspirational!
Review: 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!
Rating:
Summary: A Real American Hero
Review: When Ronald Regan first ran for President I was fortunate enough to get a wave and a smile from him. He looked right at me, or so I felt, and I knew he would be our next President.
You will learn how honorable, decent, courageous, witty and smart he was with those around him.
This book describes the best president this country has ever had. You will learn how he ended the Cold War and brought the economy to new records. He had faults but who doesn't? It's really neat how this speechwriter grew in to a man by reflecting on Ronald Regan.
Buy it, you will not be disappointed.
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