Rating: 
Summary: Almost didn't want to finish this book
Review: I am an avid reader, but I barely wanted to even finish this book. I was an admirer of Ronald Reagan, and I don't think this book gives him enough credit. I don't like the writer's style: his logic is difficult to follow sometimes, and he goes off on tangents instead of focusing on Reagan. He describes Reagan as a President that no one liked; this is NOT true!!
Furthermore, I don't care for some of his (the author's) biased viewpoints that he threw in, like about the Vietnam War; they have no place in a book that is discussing the Life of Reagan.
Rating: 
Summary: Compelling Read of Great American
Review: What an excellent read! Not only well written that keeps one's attention, but this is fair and balanced, many times sounding Reagan opposition as well as laudatory.
Truly a complex individual, Reagan is hard to capture without maintaining tensions, and this book achieves that. Looking at his life in politics, it provides some background before his involvement with Screen Actors Guild, then his GE days before his governor days leading to the White House. Then it disects his presidency from viewpoints of economics, Soviet Union, etc.
One forgets just how passionate and into his love of freedom and country so this account provides this joggers so that the reader can see just how intelligent and responsible this leader was. History I believe will bear that his was one of the significant presidents of all time, since he accomplished so much.
Learned much that I had forgotten about him, e.g. his admiration of Calvin Coolidge, as well as famous wit and debating skill he possessed. As Thatcher said of him, "He won the Cold War without firing a shot." This was the Great Communicator.
Rating: 
Summary: Not bad, not great
Review: 5DSouza's biography of Reagan starts off strong because he immediately addresses what most people who were born after, say, 1950 think of when they think of Reagan: that it is mindblowing that a man who was neither rich, nor intelligent, nor good looking, (sorry Ron) became not only the most powerful man in the world but also widely acknowledged (even among some democrats even!) to be one of the most effective leaders in the history of the world - perhaps most extraordinary in that even his staunchest allies concede that his success was improbable, yet even his strongest detractors agree that he was staggering in his impact and his efficacy. Any book that does not pause for a while to ponder this theme immediately loses credibility as a "modern" treatment of Reagan's tenure. So I give D'Souza credit for not ignoring what most people find so interesting about Reagan.
That said, I do not really think this is an interesting book. It is pretty breezy and not that detailed. I also think that D'Souza is a little bit infatuated with Reagan, which is okay up to a point but he sometimes can't help but sound rather stilted or even inane in his praise. More or less, once D'Souza is done addressing the nature of the social phenomenon that is Reagan, his conclusions fall quite flat. Reagan was a success because he was "an actor" with the ability to adapt to any situation while tricking those around him into thinking that he really was as stupid as his brown polyester suits made him look? Yeah, right. Reagan was such a success promoting capitalism abroad because he "intuitively" understood the fact that leftist economic regimes were a bad thing? Sounds nice, but a big yawn as a driving idea behind this "new" look at Reagan.
(IMHO, I believe Reagan did not simply get up one day and grunt "Communism is bad." Over time, he came to understand HOW leftism corrodes and perverts a society to its very core - and that leftist governance invariably leads to fatal disintigration from the INSIDE OUT within a few generations - rather than from the OUTSIDE IN. Reagan's comprehension of the distinction between the two models of understanding are what were REALLY made him great in my opinion at least.)
Sometimes I was not sure whether D'Souza was fawning over the man or committing the same mistake he accuses other scholars of making: that of oversimplifying a most complicated person.
Rating:
Summary: Brilliant investigation of Reagan's achievements
Review:
This illuminating work re-evaluates the presidency of Ronald Reagan with the benefit of hindsight. In the Prologue: The Wise Men and the Dummy, the author shows how wrong all the experts were about the Soviet Union for example, and how right Ronald Reagan was. When the most powerful empire in history quite soon imploded, Reagan's prophecies came true. It was the same with the economy.
In chapter 1: Why Reagan Gets No Respect, D'Souza looks at the Reagan enigma, the harsh criticism of the pundits and the secret of Reagan's success. It reveals a complex figure, a distinctive personality of a man larger than life. In chapter 2: The Education Of An Actor, the author considers Reagan's childhood, his career as an actor, first steps in politics and the way life prepared him for the presidency.
Chapter 3: Reagan Goes To Washington, discusses his political career from 1964 to 1980. The part on how he confronted the counterculture chaos as governor of California makes for riveting reading. In the chapter A Walk On The Supply Side, the difficult year of 1982 is discussed, a year in which the economic prospects looked bleak. Reagan however, stayed the course and carried the country with his optimism.
The next year, 1983, saw the beginning of a 7-year period of uninterrupted growth. The recovery took Reagan's critics by surprise, and that's when they ceased calling it Reaganomics. Contrary to popular myth, the 1980s was also a decade of great generosity, which saw a real increase of 57 per cent in charitable giving, from about 65 billion dollars in 1980 to 100 billion in 1990. In this period America became more prosperous, more innovative and more technologically advanced than Japan or Europe.
The following chapters: Confronting The Evil Empire, Making The World Safe For Democracy and The Wall Came Tumbling Down investigate how Reagan foresaw the collapse of communism, how he planned it and how he brought it about. D'Souza points out how the intellectual eggheads got it wrong and Reagan got it right once again. Here also the events in Grenada, Afghanistan and Nicaragua are discussed. Against the odds, the Reagan administration achieved a remarkable turnaround and a massive worldwide advance towards the concept of democracy for all. The role of Margaret Thatcher and the Pope are also dealt with, and these chapters include information on SDI (the space shield or star wars as it was also called).
In the Man Behind The Mask, D'Souza considers the paradoxes in Reagan's life, for example his personal faith, his non-attendance of church and his sardonic view of organized religion. His wit, humour and tolerance of human failings went hand in hand with an objective standard of truth and virtue. Spirit Of A Leader looks at his leadership style and qualities and how he shifted the political centre by changing the terms of the debate. This is measured in the way his opponents adopted his rhetoric and his objectives.
Epilogue: The Road Not Taken is a rather glum indictment of the route that America took from 1989 to 1996, in which D'Souza takes the GOP leadership and conservative intellectuals to task. This book was published in 1997 so perhaps Mr D'Souza might want to get out a new edition with a more positive postscript. Well researched, the book concludes with copious notes and a though index.
Together with Peggy Noonan's book When Character Was King I found this to be the best book on Reagan. He revived the American Spirit, won the Cold War and made the world safer for democracy. And he had a good influence on me in the 1980s when I happened to be a gaunt youth with a gloomy, gothic outlook on life. To learn more about this great man, listen to his speeches on the 5-CD set Speaking My Mind, or read the book Dear Americans: Letters From the Desk Of Ronald Reagan.
Rating:
Summary: Reagan Outfoxed Liberal Intelligentsia and Kremlin
Review: D'Souza's account of Ronald Reagan is excellent, not syncophantic. And brought to sunlight is a hugely important reality of our age: the liberal re-writing of Reagan and the USA's victory over the USSR. D'Souza's important book corrects the liberal lies about Reagan.
Reagan was ahead of his time, as D'Souza chronicles. You get insight on a real leader in the fight against communism, a pioneer. You get a solid appreciation for what an oppurtunity it was to live during Reagan's tenure and ACTUALLY WITNESS A GREAT AMERICAN PRESIDENT DISCREDIT SOCIALISM AND TEACH US ALL ABOUT A FREE MARKET ECONOMY, RE-BUILD THE MILITARY, AND OUTFOX THE KGB.
American liberals won a few, small tactical victories against Reagan, but Reagan beat them soundly on all the major battles: defense against communism; income tax rate cuts; rescue of the dollar and ending stagflation.
Almost no one on the Left or Right thought the cold war would ever end. No one had the courage to envision that the USA could bankrupt and outmaneuver the murderous thugs of the Soviet Union . . . except Ronald Reagan.
And after the collapse of the USSR, the Left actually claimed the USSR was a paper tiger. Yet when Reagan was in office the Left constantly lectured about the arms race and nuclear winter. WELL INTO THE 1980s AMERICAN LIBERALS BLATHERED ON ABOUT THE SUPERIORITY OF THE KREMLIN'S COMMAND AND CONTROL ECONOMY. The Left claimed a third way between the dreaded capitalism and socialism would emerge. The Left courted the KGB's clients like Castro and Ortega.
Many on the Right were pessimistic and rambled on about the decline of the West. Not so bad as the Left, but many on the Right thought Reagan was a fool.
Reagan was so successful that the Intelligentsia and its gullible audience have forgotten (or don't want to remember) how bad a set of problems Reagan solved.
Rating:
Summary: One of history's greatest presidents...
Review:
...and definitely the best president of the second half of the twentieth century. Dinesh D' Souza would argue that Ronald Reagan was the greatest president of the twentieth century. I would claim a bit less myself: second perhaps to President Roosevelt...and not the President Roosevelt that most people would presume I refer to. But that is neither here nor there.
This book is very compact and seeks to cover a lot of material in a reasonably economical manner. The prologue sets the tone, starting with the manner whereby the Soviet Union was viewed prior to its collapse by the establishment "experts." From there, D' Souza explains why the "wise men" were all wrong and the "dummy" (as the intellectuals viewed Reagan) was right. He also deals with the manner whereby revisionists have sought to paint the USSR's collapse as "inevitable" which is certainly *not* what these same people were saying at the time. It seems that the approach is say anything except give credit to Reagan for his foresight on this significant issue.
The aforementioned prologue ("The Wise Men and the Dummy") sets the table for the manner whereby the rest of the book unfolds. The topics covered in the work in sequential order are as follows with brief comments from yours truly:
---Why Reagan Gets No Respect.
This chapter outlines well the manner whereby not only the pseudo-"intellectual" elites of the left viewed Reagan but also many hardnosed conservatives of the right (including some of their recognized bigwigs such as George Will and Michael Novak).
---The Education of an Actor.
This chapter is a necessary look into the formation of Reagan's conservative political philosophy as well as the paradigm shift from Roosevelt New Deal supporter to conservative Goldwater-style in his philosophy.
It starts to some extent from his formative years because in order to hope to understand Reagan, one must understand those events which formed the environment which shaped his outlook and convictions. And as Reagan reached his conservative Republican outlook after being born into poverty and living through two world wars, the Great Depression, Korea, the McCarthy era, and the early 1960's, it is important to review this period where his philosophy -which he would refine and deepen in later years- was first set forth in its broad outlines. The chapter ends with Reagan's speech at the 1964 Republican convention: the speech that definitively put him "on the map" for a political career.
---Mr. Reagan Goes To Washington.
This chapter covers the period where Reagan's philosophy received greater deepening and refinement through two terms as governor of California and two significant challenges to the presidency (1976 and 1980). Some may refer to his campaign of 1968 but that was not a serious campaign and Reagan had no chance at the nomination then.
---A Walk on the Supply Side.
If no other chapter in this book was read, this one is essential because it debunks so much of the idiotic myths surrounding Reagan and his role in the increasing deficits of the 1980's.
This chapter outlines an integral part of Reagan's presidential economic plan. It is well worth a read due to the profound ignorance commonly expressed about supply-side policies by historical revisionists and economists too wedded to Keynesian policies: policies which were discredited in the 1970's economic climate by the way.
The reviewer who said that D'Souza "dismisses the massive budget deficits accumulated during the Reagan years" would do well to reread this chapter since the deficit subject is discussed in the context of the Democratic Congress not following through on their promise to cut $3 in spending for every $1 in taxes during the 1982 budget battle. Oliver North was criticized for lying to Congress during Iran-contra but the dishonour Congress brought on themselves in the interim -starting with their broken promises in 1982- made North's actions a venial sin at best.
Those who want to discuss the budget deficits need look no further than here for the reasons. But of course that reviewer is not about to do that because 75% or more of the federal budget is unconstitutional and they are certain to support a fair amount of it. At least Reagan's military spending *was* constitutional but I digress.
---They Don't Call it Reaganomics Anymore.
This chapter is a good follow-up to the one on supply side economics because it explains the truth behind Reagan's economic policies. In a short phrase: they worked.
---Confronting the Evil Empire.
Picks up and develops what was touched on in the prologue.
---Making the World Safe for Democracy.
In this chapter, D'Souza outlines the principles behind Reagan's approach to totalitarian dictatorships -and the success those policies had throughout the world as dictatorship after dictatorship fell in places such as Central America, South America, Asia, and the Philippines. In this context, Reagan's policy towards Nicaragua and supporting the contras stands out as the brilliant policy that it was. Even Grenada's invasion in 1983 is noted as a significant milestone in foreign policy in that it was the death-knell of the Breshnev Doctrine. Those who are unfamiliar with the latter would do well to read this chapter.
---And the Wall Came Tumbling Down.
Much as the Reagonomics chapter built on the preceding supply side chapter, this one builds on the one that precedes it in dealing with Reagan's skills in negotiating an end to the Cold War. (Through arms reduction treaties and also standing firm against Soviet demands.) This is all material "conveniently" overlooked by modern revisionists. But as "ninety five percent of what is published on all things is hogwash" (A. Jones), this should hardly surprise.
---The Man Behind the Mask.
After dealing with the external effects of Reagan's policies on America and throughout the world, this one seeks to go into the man himself and deal with the many paradoxes that were Reagan. This section is essential for coming close to understanding Ronald Reagan the man.
---Spirit of a Leader.
This chapter deals with Reagan as a leader and also highlights his responses to some of the administrative controversies that occurred in his Administration. Subjects such as PATCO, Lybian jets firing on the USS Nimitz in late 1981, the visiting of the Bitberg cemetery in Germany in 1985, the Lybian bombing of a West Berlin discoteque in 1986 and the US response to it, Iran-contra, and other examples are covered here.
With regards to the latter, D' Souza deals well with Iran-contra. Unfortunately, he did not touch on the 240 odd Marines who died in Lebanon in 1983 as a result of a suicide bomber. Despite the many fabrications and exaggerations often conjured up by Reagan-despising historical revisionists, this was a definite policy blunder and it would have been good to cover here along with some of the others that D'Souza does note. Despite the brevity of this tome, that is not asking too much as it would provide a bit more balance in a work that on the whole is quite vindicating of Reagan's legacy as president and as a man.
---Epilogue: The Road Not Taken.
The epilogue essentially explains why the Republicans have for the most part been floundering without a firm sense of purpose since Reagan left office.
One interesting par of this book is D'Souza's approach which is geared quite obviously to setting the record straight in areas where it is often anything but. To do this, he often follows a pattern of outlining what Reagan's opponents said about his ideas and policies -buttressed with source citations from newspapers and magazines as well as books written by critics or adversaries- and then recounts Reagan's uncanny ability to confute his adversaries again and again. In that sense it reads like an apologetic but, in light of the mountains of lies and distortions that are fed the populace about Reagan and his policies, perhaps that approach is the best way of cutting through the rubbish and focusing on what really happened. (As opposed to what Reagan's opponents wish had happened.)
The subtitle of the paperback is "how an ordinary man became an extraordinary leader." Indeed that is what President Reagan was and no one who approaches the historical record who makes any pretense of objectivity can conclude otherwise. And this book well explains the many reasons why this was so.
Rating: 
Summary: Springtime for Reagan Mythology
Review: Nobody will ever every mistake this for a scholarly, objective account of Reagan, but at least D'Souza has the decency to admit up front that he is no way objective about this particular subject.As history, it is almost worthless. However, as an examination into the mindset of the conservative movement largely fostered by Reagan, this is a most useful source. You may not come across with a better understanding of Reagan (let's face it, D'Souza is basically preaching to the neoconservative choir), but you may better understand those who came after Reagan. Because of that, the book does have merit (albeit not of the sort the author may have intended) and thus I give it three stars. Just make sure to read the book in its proper context.
Rating:
Summary: Garbage, Garbage, Garbage
Review: As a 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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