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Summary: Finally a Book That Gives the Gipper His Due Credit
Review: Without reservation, I believe Ronald Reagan was the best President of the 20th century. Despite his critics and detractors that insulted his person and mocked his simple-mindedness (that continue to this day), Reagan still shines as the epitome of leadership and integrity. In this book, Dinesh D'Souza seeks to ensure that Reagan continues to shine brightly amidst the liberal history revisionists that would attempt to obscure the greatness of the man. I highly recommend this book to both supporters and opponents of Ronald Reagan. If nothing else, it will renew the optimism and hope that Reagan inspired. And it will remind readers that the world would be a very different place were it not for the leadership of Ronald Reagan.
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Summary: An Extraordinary Book About an Ordinary Man!
Review: D'Souza has a knack for getting straight to the point without boring the reader with meaningless detail and pointless observations. His book is brief yet profound in the way he analyzes Reagan's life and presidency. The author gives several examples of how Reagan was able to continually outmanuever and win the respect of those who vilified him as a simpleton. For example, D'Souza mentions how reporter Sam Donaldson stated he would actually miss Reagan when he left the office. Other interesting points D'Souza includes: Reagan's viewpoint of human nature, how he stayed true to his convictions despite severe opposition, eventual conversion from Democrat to Republican, interaction with foreign leaders (Soviet Union, Japan, etc.), fulfilling relationship with Nancy and difficult relationships with his children, involvement with SDI, and US military buildup resulting in the Soviet Union's demise. All in all, D'Souza's book is an interesting mix of Reagan's politics, relationships, vision, and early life. While some may comment on the book's brevity, who says you have to read a book the size of "War and Peace" to learn something substantive? Sometimes, better things come in smaller packages! Heartily recommended reading for Reagan supporters and opposers who want to understand and learn more about the man.
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Summary: Well-written and persuasive analysis of Reagan
Review: As an White House insider during the Reagan Administration, D'Souza observed first-hand the management style of one of the most respected and unrespected presidents of the last half of the 20th century. Initially, he agreed with some of the criticisms, but later came to understand that Reagan simply had a different style than other presidents. Criticized for being intellectually lazy or simple-minded, President Reagan was never a favorite of the intellectual crowd. His Hollywood past and appeals to higher morals didn't help. Accused of napping during cabinet meetings and using his acting skills to sway public opinion, some dismiss him and his accomplishments, giving the credit to others or dumb luck. In reality, D'Souza says he was very intelligent and could grasp a situation easily, but disliked dealing in the minutia, preferring to delegate to others. He was steered by a strong moral compass, and believed strongly in the people and their ability to make correct decisions when given the facts. His accomplishments were many, including turning around the high-inflation economy of the 1970s (although he had to weather a couple tough years of recession) and bringing the Soviet Union to it's knees by refusing to appease them. Having grown up in the 1980s, I remember the Reagan years as a time when pride was restored to Americans, when the threat of the Soviet Union seemed very real and iminent. The suggestion that the USSR would fall by the end of the decade would have been ridiculous. But Reagan recognized that it was a system that offered no incentives to its people to perform better, and once he pushed it by forcing them into an arms race, it's weaknesses were revealed. He was often criticized as too old and incompetent for his job, but he proved smarter than all his critics. Too bad a president like that doesn't come along more often. I found the book to be an easy book to read. D'Souza writes in a clear and logical way, that is easy to follow. His logic is persuasive, and his language without a lot of flowery nonsense. I highly recommend this book to those wishing to understand better the principles and thinking of one of the greatest leaders of the 20th century.
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Summary: An Extraordinary Book About An Extraordinary Leader
Review: D'Souza's "Reagan" is one of those rare books which presents its subject in one light at its beginning, and then educates the reader to an entirely different view by its end. The theme of "Reagan" is revealed in the subtitle "How an Ordinary Man Became An Extraordinary Leader." While utilizing biographical information, this is not a biography. It is the story of how Reagan's leadership confounded his critics and enabled Reagan, without brilliance or yeoman work effort, to become one of the most successful presidents in U.S. history. Unlike some of his former aides who belittle Reagan, D'Souza provides a balanced assessment of Reagan's strengths and weaknesses. In the early part of the book , D'Souza illustrates Reagan's limitations thereby establishing his credentials as an ordinary man. D'Souza explains Reagan's style of leadership, which basically involves establishing a general policy and then entrusting its execution to subordinates. D'Souza illustrates, by example, Reagan's leadership style through his handling of a series of crises with which he was confronted during his career. One by one, D'Souza takes us through the backgrounds of the tax cut, deployment of missiles in Europe, Bittberg, and many others. In this presentation of the Iran-Contra scandal Reagan is presented as thoroughly involved in the plan to trade arms for hostages, but unaware of the diversion of the proceeds to the Contras. D'Souza does not explore exclusively Reagan's public leadership. He also focuses on Reagan's personal relationships as well. He portrays Reagan as one who, while publicly promoting family values, was unable to live them in his own family. Reagan, who was every American's friend, had few real friends of his own. Many of his aides were disappointed to find themselves unable to establish a personal relationships with Reagan who then discarded them when their usefulness to him was exhausted. By the conclusion of the book, we are left with a perception of Reagan much different than that prevailing among the public. The kindly, simpleminded grandfather is replaced by a much different person. Rather than kindly, Reagan is seen as a very private person, unable to establish, except with Nancy, a personal relationship with anyone. The undistinguished scholar is shown to confound and outwit the wise men time after time. Much of Reagan's strength is found in his unchanging firm adherence to his faith in God, freedom and the American people. D'Souza's Reagan has a much weaker claim on our affections, but is much more deserving of our respect than the Reagan of many other evaluators. This is one of those excellent books which causes us to change our impression of its subject. I admire its craft and appreciate its teaching.
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Summary: Get it, read it, love it!
Review: Dinesh D'Souza set out to write the true story of America's fortieth president: why he confounded his critics, why he confounded the learned on both the right and the left, and why he (yes he) won the cold war, saved the economy, and made Americans proud again. This biography spends a little time in Reagan's childhood with an alcoholic father, his radio and Hollywood days, his travels for GE, and finally, his governorship of the nation's largest state, California, defeating the"popular" Pat Brown (Jerry Brown's father). Then D'Souza shows how the Reagan presidency transcended the nay-sayers to be the most successful President since, well probably Lincoln. A great, uplifting book that will make the Reagan-haters squirm but will make those of us who love the man know even more why we do love him so. This book is well-written, entertaining and informative. Get it, read it, love it.
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Summary: The REAL Reagan
Review: The Ronald Reagan presented within the pages of this extremely well-written biography is, without doubt, the REAL Ronald Reagan - not the one so egregiously caricatured by The Reagans, a movie so fallacious that it is simply laughable. Dinesh D'Souza, having been a Senior Domestic Policy Advisor for the latter part of the Reagan presidency, gives us unique and unadulterated(unlike The Reagans movie) insights into events that DID happen and things that Reagan DID say. This is not, by any means, a blind ode to Reagan. It shares plenty of Reagan speaking gaffes as well as his distant relationship with his children. That being said, D'Souza does not go so far as to demonize Reagan as liberals invariably do. Reagan is vastly underrated as a leader - and Dinesh cites many examples how. Reagan's "rendezvous with destiny" and his bold, clear, & unwavering vision of democracy and freedom put America back on the map as THE world superpower after the chaotic tumult that ensued under the ambiguous indecisiveness of Jimmy Carter. Reagan took the bad hand that he was dealt of stagflation, an impotent military, rising unemployment, outrageous gas prices, exorbitant mortgages of 21%, disgustingly high taxes, & a permeating sense of festering malaise and, undeterred, set into action his campaign pledges: restoring economic growth through tax cuts, curbing of monstrous inflation, ending the gasoline crisis, sparking technological progress, defeating commununism, rebuilding an outmoded and ineffective military, and most importantly, restoring the optimism, patriotism and pride of Americans in this great country. It is impossible to lead if you are unsure of where you want to go. Reagan, it goes without saying, did not have this problem. "My optimism comes not just from my strong faith in God but from my strong and enduring faith in man."
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Summary: A Valid Portrait
Review: Dinesh D'Souza's book is a tribute to a unique leader, father and husband. D'Souza writes with affection and balance, citing credible sources where necessary. Chronological accuracy is sustained throughout the text, and sensationalism is avoided. However, there is one incident that must be corrected. On page 36, D'Souza writes, 'On that momentous day in 1980, Nancy was given the honor of telling her husband that he had won. Mr Reagan sighed deeply and said, 'I am truly humbled.'' That's not quite the way it went. During a conversation I recently had with Nancy in the mosh pit at an Eminem 'concert', she was adamant that Ron had actually spluttered, 'Me? President of the United States? That's fantastic! Which one am I playing and who's the director?'
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Summary: Dinesh Inspires Greatness
Review: I have been studying the life of Ronald Reagan (his speeches and various biographies) and have been profoundly touched by his greatness--he is one of my mentors, one of the few great heroes to look up to in modern times. Thanks to Dinesh for being open and frank, while not sugar-coating the humanness of the man. Like Peggy Noonan Dinesh lets his admiration for Mr. Reagan shine through. Kudos for inspiring us to greatness through the life of a great leader!
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Summary: How a former actor became a great president
Review: Dinesh D'Souza worked in the Reagan White House and had opportunities to observe his leadership style at close range, but I suspect he could have written this book even had that not been the case. D'Souza shies away from personal encounters and stories and tells how it is that Ronald Reagan could confound the conventional wisdom held by politicians, journalists, and intellectuals to become one of the most successful presidents in American history. D'Souza does not allow his admiration for Reagan to cloud the facts. He finds fault with him for the Iran-contra scandal and for the fact that Reagan didn't have close relationships with his children. (Perhaps only Reagan knew why that was.) He points out that Reagan had many acquaintances but few friends. He had something of a wall around him that few could get beyond. He was cordial and polite to everyone, but intimate with only a few. According to D'Souza, Reagan was more interested in what was right than in what was politically expedient. When he was governor of California and the state had a budget surplus, he directed that the money be given back to the tax payers. It's a simple enough idea, and one that makes perfect sense, yet no one had ever done it before! He was impervious to the opinions of journalists because he had been a Hollywood celebrity. More importantly, though, he never lost the sense of right and wrong that his mother had taught him. He showed true leadership by doing what he believed was right even if public support wasn't there. For instance, in the bombing of Tripoli, he ordered the bombing and then went on television to explain why he had done it. This kept him from having to sell the public on an idea ahead of time, and his popularity never suffered because of it. Neither was he ever concerned about taking credit for what he did. He gave credit for the economic recovery to the American people, although his economic policies made it possible. He never seems to have gotten the credit he deserved while he was in office, and he never seemed to care. It was more important that his ideas got implemented than it was that he got credit for them. He didn't have to worry about his legacy. He did his work, and his place in history was assured.
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Summary: An Intriguing Look into the Character and Mind of Reagan
Review: Reagan was America's fortieth president and perhaps the greatest President of the 20th century. D'Souza chronicles his ascendency to the President as he climbs from his youth to his career as an actor to state politics in California. This is a unique biography since it offers a window into the thoughts and perspectives of Reagan on leadership and policy. His foreign policy ideas and Cold War actions are magnified in 'Confronting the Evil Empire. Reagan stood in the face of tyranny and led the free world and boldly (and rightly) declared that the Soviet system was EVIL! The chapter 'A Walk on the Supply Side' is an insightful look to Reagan's bold opposition to the tried and failed tax-and-spend Keynesian policies of the Left, which was discredited with the stagflation of the 1970's. He embraced the ideas of free-market economists and sought to roll back the Welfare State. Though, in all reality, the needs of defense and a Democratic Congress that wouldn't budge too much on social spending perhaps compromised his agenda. With respect to Reagan's legacy, perhaps it would be a mistake to say that the 'Reagan Revolution' was fulfilled in the meaningful sense of being commensurate with its original conception. Compromise after compromise was made! His economic advisor, David Stockman, points to some of the failures and realities that stopped or at the very least skewed it from its free-market, limited government principles in his book 'The Triumph of Politics.' Perhaps, wrestling the Beltway Machine was a formidable task that perhaps no President can tackle alone with a supportive Congress. All things considered, this is a monumental work in the Reagan biography collection just despite it's brevity.
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