Customer Reviews

Reagan: An American Story

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When I began reading this book, I was somewhat disappointed. The material presented seemed to be shallow and superficial, and I didn't appreciate the often flippant and dismissive comments attributed to the discredited historian Edmond Morris and the glib comments ascribed to Lou Cannon. I couldn't help but wonder why the author persisted in quoting these two men. I was also put off by the fact that the book appeared to have been published without any serious attempt at proof-reading.

As I got farther into the book, however, the author began quoting a broader spectrum of sources and the book became much more interesting and more to my liking. Although I don't consider it to be one of the better books which I have read about Reagan, his family, or his administration, I still found it to be of interest and perhaps of some historical value. It still, to me, reads somewhat superficial, rather like a stone skipping across the water of Reagan's political career without ever going beneath the surface. I.e., the author tells us what happened, mostly in the words of those who contributed to the book, but seldom does she tell us why it happened.

In any event, if Nancy Reagan, her children, and others associated with the Reagan Administration trusted this author and agreed to contribute to her book, who am I to criticize? What did I like most about this book? The insights contributed by some of those interviewed, many of which I have never read before. What did I like least about this book? Most of the quotations from Lou Cannon and Edmond Morris, and the serious lack of editing (hardback edition).

Reagan had no revolutionary visions, he had reactionary visions. His ideas are not looking forward,to some great hill of freedom. They're looking backward to a utopian past that never existed. He believed that the MacCarthy Hearings, which he was instrumental in organizing, were a good thing. He thought that confronting the Soviet Union at every turn was a peaceful solution. He took credit for things he didn't do, like knocking down the Berlin Wall and he never heard of Iran-Contra or the deficit. If you love Reagan and you enjoy feel good, "Leave it to Beaver" history you'll love this book. If you prefer research......look elsewhere.

This biography of Reagan provides a fine survey of the popular present from his childhood through his presidency, and is based on extensive interviews with his family and friends. Reagan: An American Story is a highly recommended pick for any interested in Reagan's life and times.