Early Reagan: The Rise to Power (Hardcover)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Edwards traces Reagan's acting career from start to finish, and his gradual shift from fervent Roosevelt Democrat to the day in 1966 when he announced his candidacy, as a Republican, for governor of California. She refutes Reagan's claim that he was typecast as an actor, that the studios offered him second-rate roles in revenge for his union demands as president of the Screen Actors Guild. (Perhaps the most revealing section of the book revolves around his aggressive leadership of that organization.) Reagan's marriage to Jane Wyman and the early years of his marriage to the former Nancy Davis are covered, along with interesting tidbits about his relationships with acting colleagues, directors, gossip columnists and his boss of many years, studio head Jack Warner. As a Hollywood biography, the book is only mildly interesting, but as a political biography it is intriguing; Edwards (Sonya, etc.) skillfully combines the two elements into a unique drama that should find many readers. Photos.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

This breezy, anecdotal book by the biographer of Katharine Hepburn, Margaret Mitchell, and others details Reagan's movie and television career while deemphasizing his political career. Despite his father's ardent support of Franklin Roosevelt, Reagan became a Republican because his friends and most of the actors he associated with were conservative. Although lacking the eloquence and brooding introspection of Gary Wills's Reagan's America: innocents at home ( LJ 2/1/87), this book is a lively recounting of Reagan's childhood and years in the entertainment industry, where his political instincts and interests were kindled. A fine selection for public libraries. Karl Helicher, Wolfsohn Memorial Lib., King of Prussia, Pa.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 617 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow & Co; 1st ed edition (November 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688060501
• ISBN-13: 978-0688060503
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.4 x 2.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #961,322 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great read for all Reagan aficionados, October 6, 2006

By	Marvin D. Pipher (Houston, Texas USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Anne Edwards depicts Ronald Reagan and his early years as well as any author whom I have read, including Ronald Reagan, himself. In his two autobiographies, "Where's the Rest of Me" and "An American Life," Reagan gave us a glimpse of his early years and of Reagan, himself, as he saw things and as he saw himself. Thanks to Ms. Edwards' in-depth research and extensive interviews, we now get to see Ronald Reagan and his life and times through the eyes of those who grew up with him, watched him grow up, went to school with him, worked with him, or simply knew him during his formative years.

I was particularly taken with the thoroughness of Chapters 1-13, which covered the growing-up and coming-of-age years. Where else could one learn that Ronald Reagan first applied for a library card (or number) at the age of ten, on December 20, 1921, that he was given number #3695, that he averaged two books a week, that they were mostly adventures, and that he usually checked them out on weekends? Or, that his mother, Nelle, was thought my many in Dixon to be a faith healer? Or that the log on which he notched his 77 "saves" as a lifeguard at Lowell Park was washed away years later when the Rock River flooded.

These early chapters were presented in a delightfully even-handed manner. But, beginning with Chapter 14 the author seemed to change her tenor. Much to my dismay, she appeared to abandon her previous objectivity and become a critic of both the Senate Select Committee on Un-American Activities (HUAC), throwing in her own pejoratives, and of Reagan's motion pictures and career in general. Even so, however, she provides the most detailed and complete explanation of this period of Reagan's life that I have thus far come across.

In the early chapters of the book,1-13, the author paints a vivid and thoughtful picture of the young Ronald Reagan. Anyone seeking to understand Reagan, the man, will certainly find these chapters to be enjoyable and enlightening. Those interested in all aspects of Reagan's life and career will find the remainder of the book to be equally well researched and just as informative. And, because of the author's thoroughness and attention to detail, the reader will likely be able to put many events during Reagan's early life in proper perspective. Bottom line: This is a great book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A Reagan biography with a different focus, February 15, 1998

By A Customer

This book is an interesting exploration of the life of Ronald Reagan from childhood through the time he becomes Governor of California. It is well-researched, balanced, and complete in its scope. I had always wondered how a person might go from B actor to President, and this book helped fill in the blanks.