Rating: 
Summary: The Same Tired Liberal Retoric
Review: As I write this, the news has come through of Ronald Reagan's sad passsing at age 93. It marked an appropriate occasion for me to listen to this set for the first time that had been given me as a gift.This is by far a precious historical legacy. In Ronald Reagan's own voice, delivering radio commentaries from 1975-79, we gain a better understanding of why he became President in 1980, and our greatest president of the last half-century. Students of recent political history should listen to these to really understand the measure of Reagan's convictions, and his plain-spoken, amiable personality that enabled him to connect with the American people in a way no other President of the last 60 years has done before or since. Godspeed, Mr. President, and thank you for what you gave to our country and to the world as well.
Rating:
Summary: A Precious Historical Legacy
Review: As I write this, the news has come through of Ronald Reagan's sad passsing at age 93. It marked an appropriate occasion for me to listen to this set for the first time that had been given me as a gift. This is by far a precious historical legacy. In Ronald Reagan's own voice, delivering radio commentaries from 1975-79, we gain a better understanding of why he became President in 1980, and our greatest president of the last half-century. Students of recent political history should listen to these to really understand the measure of Reagan's convictions, and his plain-spoken, amiable personality that enabled him to connect with the American people in a way no other President of the last 60 years has done before or since. Godspeed, Mr. President, and thank you for what you gave to our country and to the world as well.
Rating:
Summary: Mr. Reagan was God's Gift to America
Review: At a time when Americans measured their misery on Jimmy Carter's Misery Index, Ronald Reagan came on the scene with a clear plan, firm convictions and faith in the American people to pull ourselves out of hard times. All government had to do was lower taxes and get out of the way. How right he was... Everyone that is NOT paying 70% or 80% income taxes today should be thanking Ronald Reagan. Everyone that is not living behind a wall in East Berlin or behind barbed wire in the Eastern Block should be thanking Ronald Reagan for bringing about such change. I am old enough to remember Reagans original radio broadcasts. I listened to him and remember thinking... wow, I wish this guy would run for President. Listening to this CD brings that feeling back. We were very lucky to have had him for our president. Thank you Ronald Reagan and God Bless America.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome!
Review: I found myself consumed with this collection. I listened to the entire 5-CD set in one sitting. Though these commentaries took place in the 1970s, the wisdom contained within is timeless. You will find Reagan's words prophetic and very applicable to the 21st century. As you listen to these, keep in mind that Reagan personally wrote each of these commentaries. Outstanding collection!
Rating:
Summary: Timeless commentary
Review: I found myself consumed with this collection. I listened to the entire 5-CD set in one sitting. Though these commentaries took place in the 1970s, the wisdom contained within is timeless. You will find Reagan's words prophetic and very applicable to the 21st century. As you listen to these, keep in mind that Reagan personally wrote each of these commentaries. Outstanding collection!
Rating:
Summary: Reagan at his best
Review: I was too young to Remember Reagan prior to his Presidency and was therefore surprised to learn that he was a fixture on radio during the mid to late 1970s. It's going to be hard for historians to peddle the notion that he was a dunce after sifting through his writings on all of these far-ranging subjects. The media darling Clinton certainly couldn't focus long enough to present so many arguments so clearly and for such a long time.
The book of these 3 minute radio pieces is fascinating, but it can't compare to the great man reading the entries himself. Reagan can be serious and humorous, but he never loses his optimism. He brought to America a different kind of politics. He could lay out serious problems facing the country and yet positive changes that could make us a better nation. It allows his commentaries to be serious without the whining associated with so many out-of-power politicians.
Many of the policy decisions he would later make are included here, but some of the most interesting entries are on government operations you don't think about.
A good example is Reagan explaining the monopoly of the postal system with such precision that it is amazing that the system lasted throughout his eight years. Reagan tells of how small companies learned better ways to transport first class mail locally and were shutdown for doing so. He then compares the postal rates to long distance phone rates and how you could once send a 100 letters for the price of a long distance call, whereas by the 1970s you could only send three. Of course, nowadays you could read a ten page letter cheaper than sending it, only further proving his point. Reagan ends by reminding listeners that although a real monopoly exists in the Post Office and the inefficiency therein causes rising prices and reduced services, the government is chasing down ATT as a monopoly although they have outperformed the government in every way. Reagan proves, in essence, that the only monopoly that wins is the one at a point of a gun.
In addition to the Reagan entries, the set has a nice commentary by Reagan associates and the editors of the series. It's well produced and no less than fine entertaining history.
Rating:
Summary: Statesman
Review: In my eyes, Ronald Reagan will be remembered best for uniting Americans and the entire world behind his plans while avoiding making enemies. Hastening the end of the Cold War without a single shot fired is his greatest accomplishment.
These CDs show a shrewd mind and the keen attention-to-detail he paid to his plans many years before his run for president.
His commitment to fiscal responsibility, international leadership and personal integrity is clear.
As a Reagan Democrat, I am proud to have lived during his presidency and believe that recent administrations could learn alot from studying this statesman.
Rating:
Summary: Reagan had a certain optimistic depth...
Review: Listening to these recordings from the late seventies by a retired Govenor will bring you back to better days in America. When the issues that Americans held close to their hearts were also important issues. Reagan demonstrates that he actually listened, and cared. Americans may not always agree with the decisions and ideas Reagan had and made, but these recordings go far beyond political issues and tap deep cultural and philosophical anchors that make America the great nation that it is. History classrooms, in examining the late seventies and early eighties America, would benefit greatly with these recordings.
Rating:
Summary: Audio Theatre, Audio History
Review: My coeditors (Martin Anderson and Kiron Skinner) were thrilled when we heard this production. Reagan's voice from the original recordings is strong and clear; the narrator tells the listener what's happening in the world to which Reagan speaks between 1975 and 1979 as he runs for the presidency, talking about foreign policy, domestic policy, and personal matters. The three of us and George Shultz, Nancy Reagan, Ed Meese, Peter Hannaford, Mike Deaver, Richard Allen, William Clark, and Harry O'Conner comment on the times and Reagan's views and how they will come to affect his presidency. The CD has facsimiles of 18 of the documents Reagan himself wrote (38 pages altogether).
The texts of some of these documents are in Reagan In His Own Hand; others are in Stories in His Own Hand (a shorter, more personal book, with many photographs).
We talk about a fast-moving who-done-it as a "good read"; I call this a "good listen", far more compelling than I expected it to be.
Reagan wrote; he recorded; it got distributed (syndicated around the country to hundreds of stations); and "poof!" it disappeared. But it didn't. Here they are, as he actually delivered them. An historical and American treasure.
Annelise Anderson
Rating:
Summary: This Is Reagan! This Is History!
Review: Now more than ever we know about all of the speeches and radio addresses Ronald Reagan wrote in the 70's. It has been said that he wrote a good number of his own speeches as President, especially in his first term. These radio addresses prove beyond a doubt that he may well be the first President to ever totally plan what he wanted to do as President before even running for office. It is very interesting to listen to these and realize that they are not only in audio but written as well. It shows how consistent his thinking was through out the 70's and 80's. I highly recommend Reagan In His Own Voice. He truly is the Great Communicator.
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