The Reagan Detour [Paperback]

Richard Reeves (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

The basic premise of this book provides the proper antidote for those who feel politics is mostly a sham of illusion and imagery. The pace and rhythm of nation al politics, Reeves forcefully argues, is fueled by ideas: ``The idea is that elec tions and, ultimately, the direction of the country depend on ideas.'' Thus, Rea gan won the presidency on the strength of a set of ideas that Reeves argues repre sents a temporary detour in the evolution of American liberal democracy. Liberal ideas and issues, Reeves firmly believes, will prevail ultimately. This is a useful book raising timely themes that require more considered analysis. Recommend ed. Edward C. Dreyer, Political Sci ence Dept., Univ. of Tulsa, Okla.
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Paperback: 141 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster (Paper) (October 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671607022
• ISBN-13: 978-0671607029
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.2 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,496,419 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Richard Reeves is the author of presidential bestsellers, including President Nixon and President Kennedy, acclaimed as the best nonfiction book of the year by Time magazine. A syndicated columnist and winner of the American Political Science Association's Carey McWilliams Award, he lives in New York and Los Angeles.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Spirited liberal refutation of the Reagan Revolution, April 12, 2009

By 

Robert J. Crawford (Balmette Talloires, France) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This is a very good set of essays that attempt to argue that Reagan is taking the country off the track of its larger agenda to advance the goals of the Great Society. It is full of liberal good intentions and written powerfully. I remember reading it when it came out and feeling hope that the country was not simply being overtaken by greed and self-interest. I just perused it again after I found it in a box in the attic and still find it convincing, at least as ideology if not politically.

Oddly, Reeves contradicts this argument in his book on Reagan's presidency, in which he argues that Reagan was in fact a good, perhaps great, leader. Go figure.