The Greatest Communicator: What Ronald Reagan Taught Me About Politics, Leadership, and Life [Hardcover]

Dick Wirthlin (Author), Wynton C. Hall (Contributor)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 7, 2004

The outpouring of grief and heartfelt tributes following Ronald Reagan’s death demonstrated the love and admiration people still have for our nation’s 40th president. Now, in this affectionate memoir, Reagan’s chief political strategist and friend for 36 years offers a fascinating close-up portrait of the Great Communicator. Taking us inside the 1980 and 1984 presidential campaigns and beyond, Dick Wirthlin shares illuminating anecdotes, off-the-record remarks, and private moments that reveal the true Ronald Reagan. Through it all, Wirthlin points out the unique qualities and talents that made Reagan such a strong leader-and such a great communicator. For anyone who has fond memories of the late president, this admiring reminiscence brilliantly conjures up the strong values, gregarious charm, and all-American optimism that made Ronald Reagan great.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“…original and highly accessible…this book from Dick Wirthlin is not to be missed.” (Yorkshire Post magazine, 19th March, 2005)

Review

"No one understood Ronald Reagan's ability to communicate better than Dick Wirthlin.  In The Greatest Communicato, Dick offers us a window into the secrets of Reagan's success, and he does so with a level of intimacy and grace that only comes from someone who was there from the beginning to see it from the inside."
—James Carville

"No one knew and understood Ronald Reagan the leader better than Dick Wirthlin.  And no one explained so well the core of Reagan's leadership, what Wirthlin calls his ability 'to change lives and the world with words."  The Greatest Communicatoris a smart and insightful book, indispensable to understanding Reagan."
—Fred Barnes, executive editor, The Weekly Standard,and co-host, "The Beltway Boys," FOX News

"For twenty years, through two victorious elections to the White House, Ronald Reagan relied upon Dick Wirthlin as his pollster, chief political strategist, and increasingly, as his trusted friend. Dick has waited until now to tell the inside story, but the wait has been more than worth it. A scholar, a gentleman and one of the country's best political analysts, Dick has written a warm, illuminating story that helps us all understand why America remains so drawn to Reagan."
—David Gergen

"A lot of people claim to have been in Reagan's inner circle; Dick Wirthlin truly was.  As his chief political strategist and pollster, no one understood Reagan's ability to communicate better than Dick.  The Greatest Communicator is must reading for anyone who admired President Reagan."
—Lyn Nofziger

"Dick Wirthlin was one of the few individuals who was with Ronald Reagan from the very beginning.  In The Greatest Communicator, it becomes clear why Reagan kept Wirthlin at his side all those years.  The book is a must r ead for anyone who wants to understand the inner workings of President Reagan's ability to communicate--and how he accomplished so much."
—Edwin Meese

"Dick Wirthlin was there at the beginning of the Ronald Reagan prairie fire that began with the speech for Barry Goldwater in 1964 and spread across the Nation with the election to the Presidency in 1980. Dick was a member of the Reagan strategic team and his recollections are a valuable part of the real history of the Reagan revolution."
—Michael Deaver, political advisor and Deputy Chief of Staff to Ronald Reagan and author of A Different Drummer: My Thirty Years With Ronald Reagan

"Was anybody more important to the Reagan Revolution than Dick Wirthlin? Like Reagan himself, Dick Wirthlin was a man of personal gentleness and goodness who was also insightful, wise and talented. The president trusted him, in fact, thought the world of him. As did so many of us who worked with him on three presidential campaigns and in the White House years. He has quite a story to tell."
—Tony Dolan, chief speechwriter, Deputy Assistant to President Reagan, and author of the "Evil Empire" speech

"Richard Wirthlin, the wizard of polling, pulls back the curtain and provides an intimate look at the extraordinary relationship between President Reagan and his pollster. This book is a political junkie's delight and a staple for any communications course." —Peter D. Hart, public opinion analyst

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (September 7, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471705098
• ISBN-13: 978-0471705093
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 0.9 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,119,352 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful NEW Book ; a nonfiction MUST READ, August 29, 2004

By 

M. J. Buie "ravenous reader" (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Greatest Communicator: What Ronald Reagan Taught Me About Politics, Leadership, and Life (Hardcover)

If you want something real, warm, and informative, this book is for you. You will come to understand more about a truly great man, President Ronald Reagan, and why he was so popular. Anyone who ever saw Ronald Reagan speak will remember his easy smile and the way he enthralled us with his singular approach and charm. This delightful book delves into the depths of Reagan's character, his ability to communicate with any group, and the reasons for his success in the political world. Warm and personal, it's a tribute to the man Reagan was, both in his public and private moments. I highly recommend it and hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Reagan Legacy, October 14, 2004

By 

Kyle "Kyle G. Gilbert" (Chattahoochee, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Greatest Communicator: What Ronald Reagan Taught Me About Politics, Leadership, and Life (Hardcover)

Dick Wirthlin's myriad experience with the Reagan presidency, including a three-decade relationship with the "Greatest Communicator," is eloquently recounted by Wynton Hall, Wirthlin's co-author and an expert in presidential rhetoric. To say that this book is a must read for anyone wanting to know the man behind the politician is an understatement. Read Chapter 7, "Three Goodbyes," for a poignant and uplifting account of Reagan's bravery in his battle with Alzheimer's.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful, funny - sometimes touching, August 8, 2006

By 

David S. Rhodes (Scottsdale, AZ United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Greatest Communicator: What Ronald Reagan Taught Me About Politics, Leadership, and Life (Hardcover)

This author does a great job of putting us beside him as he interacts with President Reagan. What surprised me most was how different Reagan really was compared to the image the "drive-by media" gave us.

Wirthlin is someone who's name we've heard but this reallly solidifies him as an important insider and confidant to the greatest president in the 20th century.

Well done Mr. Wirthlin!