Customer Reviews

Nancy: A Portrait of My Years with Nancy Reagan

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Mike Deaver was able to explain the relationship that Nancy and Ronald Reagan had from an insiders view. So little was ever written about the private side of Nancy Reagan, and he captures some of those moments very well. It was a pleasure to read also about their relationship then and even now. The public knew that they stood by each other no matter what, but I think Mike took care of both of them. He was as concerned about the President as he was the First Lady. I'm so glad to have read this book about a truly beautiful married couple, written by someone who has known them for 30 some years.

Although too young to vote for him in either election Ronald Reagon was one of the best presidents this nation ever had. The book "Nancy" opened my eyes in so many ways. No matter what she was always right by his side every step of the way! They had the kind of marriage and relationship that was and still is an example to us all. I remember it like it was yesterday....the day Ronald Reagon almost left us due to John Hinkley's bullet. This book shows just how much she loved the man and would do anything for her and he for her. I thank God for people like Ronald and Nancy Reagon. Although the book is called "Nancy" you'll learn quite a bit about the "gipper" as well!

If you want to understand a president--and Ronald Reagan is a president worth understanding--you have to know something about the people really close to him. Including his wife, his First Lady. And long-time aide Michael Deaver.

From the time Deaver went to work for Reagan in 1966--when Reagan stunned the political world with his election as governor of California--one of Deaver's major duties, in connection with overseeing Reagan's schedule, was liaison with Nancy Reagan. It was a task that terrified most of the staff.

When Reagan's two terms as governor ended, Deaver and Peter Hannaford created a public relations firm with Ronald Reagan as their main client, travelling with him (and Nancy) around the country from 1975 through his election to the presidency in 1980. Again Deaver was Nancy's major contact and confidante, as he was in the White House.

Michael Deaver knows Nancy Reagan better, perhaps, than anyone. He knows things no one else knows, and in this book he provides the best portrait we yet have of the challenges she has faced as the wife of Ronald Reagan during his political career--and afterward--and how she dealt with these challenges.

It is a portrait far different from the impression many people probably have. And, true to his public relations skills, Deaver tells it all through stories about people and events, including all the difficult ones--the governor's mansion, the clothes, the ranch, the shooting, astrology, the long good-bye.

Deaver does less footnoting (in fact, none at all) than most authors, and there's no index. But it's a good read and has its own importance as a memoir of Deaver's long association with the Reagans.

I sometimes remind myself of Mel Gibson's character, Jerry Fletcher, in the movie "Conspiracy Theory," who couldn't pass up a copy of "Catcher in the Rye" without buying it. But in my case, I can't seem to pass up a book about Ronald Reagan, his family, or his administration. By my count, this is the forty-sixth such book that I have read. Perhaps that's why I was so surprised to read in the "Booklist" blurb, above, that in this book "his [Deaver's] portrait [of Nancy Reagan] comes across mostly as stale rehash."

Strangely enough, despite all the books which I have read before, I found this one to be like a breath of fresh air, a long overdue breath of fresh air. For it wasn't long ago that there was a cottage industry in the liberal media centers of America doggedly cranking out one negative story about Nancy Reagan after another. No matter what she did or how she did it; what she said, or even how she looked; she was reviled for it. Unlike Jacqueline Kennedy, who in the eyes of the media could do no wrong, Nancy could do no right.

This book, then, struck me as truly refreshing and it made delightful reading. For, in it a long time close associate and friend revealed a side of Nancy Reagan that few have bothered to try and understand and which I had not seen before. Perhaps she simply tried too hard and loved too much. So, to all those who have written so disparagingly about Nancy over the years, I say: put down your spears, daggers, and pens, pack up your PCs and take a chance. Perhaps if you tried to understand the lady, you might have some second thoughts. To all others, I say: I think you'll enjoy reading this book. I did.

forget. Nancy Reagan was so much more than a first lady...she was Ronnie's first lady and he always came first in her eyes.

Deaver tells so much of her life, feelings, ardent admiration and deep love for her husband and an insight into the man himself..our President Reagan.

It left me hungry for more and so I ordered A DIFFERENT DRUMMER from the same author. His style is so impressive in it's simplicity (do not take that the wrong way) that I read this book over a days' time. I liked the way he told all...the good and the bad and did not try to explain away anything about NANCY, but did explain some misconceptions.

A marvelous, resiliant woman that any man would be proud to have as his wife, on his side and at his side. And we know now how she truly did protect and stand by her man. It was not political...just human and entirely focused on Nancy Reagan; the woman, the wife, the partner.

Whatever tempted me to buy this book, which is not something I would normally read; I am grateful that I did for it was truly a wonderful experience and has opened a whole new genre for me and showed me another aspect of myself.

The life of Nancy Reagan through the eyes of someone so well acquainted with her life through the last 25 plus years is a touching tribute to one of America's foremost First Ladys.

From her life at the side of Ronald Reagan to her contribution in public to things she was passionate about, like the Just Say No Foundation, Deaver discusses what drove Nancy Reagan and the effect she had on our President and our society overall.

Touching were the stories of the love the Reagans have for each other and the infective nature that their love and joy together had on Deaver and those around them. To think that the President missed his wife so when she travelled.

This is an important book at important time for the Reagan family. As one of the great Presidents of our time is close to end of his life, this is a fitting tribute to his loving wife whose life is an example to us all of what we can do for our family, for our nation and for our world.

I am getting concerned as I haven't received this book as yet. This is the second time I have order it,with a different seller. I have contacted seller and they told me that it was mailed the 21st of March

If I wanted to read a biography about Michael Deaver I would have bought his autobiography. Extremely full of himself and his feelings, accomplishments, etc.... I felt it seriously lacked the biography part for Nancy. Although occassionally he would throw something in about her. I was very disappointed.