Rating: 
Summary: The Great Communicator in Action
Review: An amazing collection of Reagan's letters, from childhood to retirement, on subjects both grand and minor. I was surprised by the magnitude of his correspondence; his ability to succinctly explain his position on a variety of issues was exceptional.
So many people dismissed Reagan as an uneducated cowboy. This collection of Ronald Reagan's personal correspondence demonstrates his unsurpassed abilities of self-expression and candor, as well as his heartfelt love of America and the freedoms for which she stands.
An excellent read for anyone, regardless of where they fall in the political spectrum.
Rating:
Summary: The "More myth making" comment is unreal...
Review: and must be from someone who has not read the book. These are letter Reagan wrote himself - not the work of his staff or supporters. These letters are an invaluable look at Ronald Reagan the person, the president, the Republican, the actor, the husband, the friend and the parent. Agree or disagree with the politics of the Reagan years, this book is a treasure trove for anyone who wants to know more about Reagan in all his many "roles."
Rating:
Summary: National Treasure
Review: Every American should be required to read this book. Cover to cover a detailed account of Ronald Reagan's integrity, loyalty, patriotism and dedication to God, family and country. Words from his own hand showing his great concern and caring for others. Truly a National Treasure. Ronald Reagan was a great President but most of all he is great American. We can all learn from this book.
Rating: 
Summary: A view of the man, not so much the legend...
Review: First, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. There is no substitute for hearing someone in their own words and this book provides that in abundance. Beyond the words themselves, the selection of letters that are available also says a lot about the man's character. A large number of these letters are in response to letters that disagreed with his various positions and in each response he not only effectively defends his opinions but also manages to treat those he's writing to with respect and dignity.
That said, two caveats for those who might purchase this book...
1 - The book is broken into sections that detail each topic with letters that relate to that topic. There are 2 page summaries of each topic but I think the book would be far more enjoyable if you already have a reasonable knowledge of the various challenges of the Reagan presidency.
2 - Most of the letters that are in the book are written to family and friends. Those that come to it expecting letters to Gorbachev detailing plans for an end to the cold war will be disappointed
Those caveats aside, this is a great book and an essential companion to any biography of President Reagan
Rating:
Summary: The Truth Shall Set You Free.....At Last
Review: How many times have we heard how dumb Reagan was?How many times have we heard how Reagan really had no positions and was simply doing what his advisor said? How many times have the so called experts told us Reagan was simple? How many lies have we been told about President Reagan by the left that can not stand Reagan's popularity and the fact he was right so many times. Thank goodness for this collection. As it turns out Reagan, handwrote, 1000's of letters showing that Reagan was indeed the incredible President that the left does not want us to know. These letters reveal not only Reagan the President, but Reagan the human being. The next time anyone tried to tell you Reagan was just some actor, point them to this incredible collection of letters. The letters range from policy and ideology, to letters to leaders and critics. However, my favorite letters are the series of letters to his young penpal, Ruddy, a little kid living in Washington DC. This collection is a must read. AND TO ALL LIBERAL EDUCATORS AND PROFESSORS READ THIS BOOK AND WEEP!
Rating:
Summary: The Finest Way To Understand A Human Being
Review: I cannot think of any better way to understand a man or woman than to view their private thoughts construed through letters over their lifetime. This is an extrodinary work that reveals what an astute thinker Ronald Reagan was. It reveals his values his vision and his compassion and is truly something every American should read.
Rating:
Summary: It doesn't get much better than this
Review: I have been an admirer of Ronald Reagan for a long time. Reagan knew how to write and express himself so well. This book is wonderfully thick and the letters are divided by subject matter. Some are on public policy, others are ones he wrote to friends and family, public figures, still others to total strangers. His decency and warmth as a human being comes across in every letter. And especially his wonderful sense of humor which I think is one of his finest and most appealing qualities. I especially loved one letter in particular written to Reagan by a young man appealing for disaster relief funds after his mother declared his bedroom a "disaster area." Reagan's reply is hilarious. Another excellent book containing Reagan letters is "I Love You, Ronnie", a collection of love letters and notes that Reagan wrote to Nancy over the course of their marriage.
Rating:
Summary: A philosophical - NOT political - outlook
Review: I read this book in a couple of settings one weekend and reviewed it immediately. During this last week (RR died) I took it down and read it with a new perspective, one influenced not by the sometimes tawdry and hypocritical media coverage but by the words of world leaders, common citizens, reporters - a wide cross-section of Americans who came to the same conclusion about the man. It is the height of participatory irresponsibilty to slam a book (as some reviewers have done) based on politics. We will surely see reviews of the type: "Clinton's new book is bad because he (fill in the blank) committed perjury, paid off a woman to avoid a sex case, conducted a tawdry affair with a bimbo, humiliated his wife and daughter, etc.." All these are true but should not be the basis for a book review. What IS surprising in this book is the incredible depth and range of RR's intellectual ramblings. He possessed humility, an unending optimism and a firm belief in the goodness of the American people and the greatness of America. Subjects vary from war to socialism, monetary policy, education, science, manners, parenting, religion, evolution, custom, Greek & Roman influence, psychology, philosophy and particularly that most human of emotions, love. Letter writing of this kind, with pen and paper, is a dying art. It would be even more telling to review the original documents that were works in progress. This most castigated of Presidents - "Hollywood actor" - had one of the most wide-ranging intellects ever to occupy the White House. Another reviewer noted Reagan's "emotional intelligence" - an apt commentary illustrated by his ability to confound the so-called "experts" time and again. Thatcher picked up on this in her eulogy with the idea - readily seen in these pages - that he had a few beliefs that were deep-seated, unchanging, and in the end, validated. Most importantly, this book illustrates that these beliefe were philosophical NOT political - a point rarely noted. Rather than work on parceling federal funds to political allies, he worked to unshackle the economy and the result was a 20 year boom that continues today. Rather than co-exist Soviet aggression he made the bold step of offering friendship. He was no policy wonk but a great student of human motivation. It was his private beliefs that gave strength to his public pronouncements, come to life in these pages. This collection is an apt summation for a life lived well and full.
Rating:
Summary: A philosophical - NOT political - outlook
Review: I read this book in a couple of settings one weekend and reviewed it immediately. During this last week (RR died) I took it down and read it with a new perspective, one influenced not by the sometimes tawdry and hypocritical media coverage but by the words of world leaders, common citizens, reporters - a wide cross-section of Americans who came to the same conclusion about the man. It is the height of participatory irresponsibilty to slam a book (as some reviewers have done) based on politics. We will surely see reviews of the type: "Clinton's new book is bad because he (fill in the blank) committed perjury, paid off a woman to avoid a sex case, conducted a tawdry affair with a bimbo, humiliated his wife and daughter, etc.." All these are true but should not be the basis for a book review. What IS surprising in this book is the incredible depth and range of RR's intellectual ramblings. He possessed humility, an unending optimism and a firm belief in the goodness of the American people and the greatness of America. Subjects vary from war to socialism, monetary policy, education, science, manners, parenting, religion, evolution, custom, Greek & Roman influence, psychology, philosophy and particularly that most human of emotions, love. Letter writing of this kind, with pen and paper, is a dying art. It would be even more telling to review the original documents that were works in progress. This most castigated of Presidents - "Hollywood actor" - had one of the most wide-ranging intellects ever to occupy the White House. Another reviewer noted Reagan's "emotional intelligence" - an apt commentary illustrated by his ability to confound the so-called "experts" time and again. Thatcher picked up on this in her eulogy with the idea - readily seen in these pages - that he had a few beliefs that were deep-seated, unchanging, and in the end, validated. Most importantly, this book illustrates that these beliefe were philosophical NOT political - a point rarely noted. Rather than work on parceling federal funds to political allies, he worked to unshackle the economy and the result was a 20 year boom that continues today. Rather than co-exist Soviet aggression he made the bold step of offering friendship. He was no policy wonk but a great student of human motivation. It was his private beliefs that gave strength to his public pronouncements, come to life in these pages. This collection is an apt summation for a life lived well and full.
Rating:
Summary: A gentle surprise
Review: I sincerely doubt the bloggers who post that this is a poor book have ever even read it (certainly not with an unjaundiced eye) but are responding to their own political bias. I am not. I decided to give this book a look with some trepidation, expecting childish prose and awkward proselytizing. What I got was a series of lovely, gentle snippets from the pen of a man who was clearly more than he seemed. His surprising notes about tolerance and meaning in sexual relations were quite beautifully written and I am truly impressed with his simple and elegant prose style. This is really a very gentlemanly book. I would not hesitate to give this as a gift. Even naysayers (except those who are hard-hearted ideologues) will be unable to keep their hearts forzen in the face of this work.
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