Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness [Hardcover]

Peggy Noonan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 17, 1994

The author of What I Saw at the Revolution and a former speechwriter for President Reagan discusses her life after she left Washington--and the world of politics--in 1988. 75,000 first printing. $75,000 ad/promo. Tour.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In three parts as indicated by the title, former White House speechwriter Noonan ( What I Saw at the Revolution ) recounts life as a single mother in New York City, reflects on the 1992 presidential campaign and records her quest for a deeper sense of Christian spirituality. Her style is diffuse and anecdotal, her colloquial, up-from-suburbia voice--the one behind Ronald Reagan's speeches--will be charming to her fans, perhaps maddening to her critics. Noonan discusses immigrants in the city, the false notion of parental "quality time," the inefficiency of President Bush's White House, President Clinton's one-term future, learning how to pray, and her hope that religion and cultural renewal will help overcome the nation's fraying bonds. This book has gaps, both as autobiography (what about her hinted-at ex?) and policy analysis (her fantasy about saving the inner cities implies that tax breaks don't cost us anything), but Noonan provides a seductively easy read. Author tour.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Former Reagan speechwriter Noonan follows up her best-selling What I Saw at the Revolution (LJ 3/15/90) with another candid take on the current cultural and political landscape. Although not the "insider" she was in the Reagan years, Noonan still champions the conservative cause. She links most of America's problems to the decline of family and spiritual values, resulting in the breakdown of societal norms and political cohesion. At the same time, she relates her own search for a spiritual connection through Bible study and prayer. Even if you don't agree with her political views, Noonan's direct and lyrical writing makes for enjoyable reading, even for a confirmed liberal. Buy where her previous book did well, or where fans of perceptive political commentary exist.
--Pamela R. Daubenspeck, Warren-Trumbull Cty. P.L., Warren, Ohio
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 255 pages
• Publisher: Random House; 1st edition (May 17, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679401601
• ISBN-13: 978-0679401605
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,435,954 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Engrossing..., September 18, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness (Paperback)

Ah Peggy, how about an Irish book next? She writes like the wind she does. Her forays into spirituality mirror an entire generations search for a deeper meaning than the serial advertisements we are subjected to. I enjoy her honesty and wit and await the next..

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars quiet essays on the 1990's, December 1, 2001

By 

Nancy K. Oconnor (PAWHUSKA, OK United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness (Hardcover)

For those enjoying Peggy Noonan, her thoughful essays of how her life evolved in the 1990's will be a delight.
The topics are not especially political (although politicians are mentioned). The first part is about the lack of vision by Republicans that led to Clinton's election. The later essays, however, are mainly about personal transition, including that of being a single parent and returning to spiritual values.
Much of this mirrors the evolving lives of the baby boomers as they grow up: the real story that occured quietly and behind the scenes and not in the flashier stories on the 1990's.
However, those who are allergic to discussions of religion will probably hate it, as will those who hate Peggy Noonan for her political history.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Touching, Thought Provoking, September 13, 2001

By 

N. Cardon (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness (Paperback)

It is indeed a shame that this book is not currently in print. I first listened to this book in audio format, and I am still impressed today. Ms. Noonan thoughts are intriguing and resonate within me. A good book for luxury reading, I highly recommend it.