The Reagan Diaries [Hardcover]

Ronald Reagan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 22, 2007

During his two terms as the fortieth president of the United States, Ronald Reagan kept a daily diary in which he recorded, by hand, his innermost thoughts and observations on the extraordinary, the historic, and the routine day-to-day occurrences of his presidency. Now, nearly two decades after he left office, this remarkable record—the only daily presidential diary in American history—is available for the first time.

Brought together in one volume and edited by historian Douglas Brinkley, The Reagan Diaries provides a striking insight into one of this nation's most important presidencies and sheds new light on the character of a true American leader. Whether he was in his White House residence study or aboard Air Force One, each night Reagan wrote about the events of his day, which often included his relationships with other world leaders Mikhail Gorbachev, Pope John Paul II, Mohammar al-Qaddafi, and Margaret Thatcher, among others, and the unforgettable moments that defined the era—from his first inauguration to the end of the Cold War, the Iran hostage crisis to John Hinckley Jr.'s assassination attempt.

The Reagan Diaries reveals more than just Reagan's political experiences: many entries are concerned with the president's private thoughts and feelings—his love and devotion for Nancy Reagan and their family, his belief in God and the power of prayer. Seldom before has the American public been given access to the unfiltered experiences and opinions of a president in his own words, from Reagan's description of near-drowning at the home of Hollywood friend Claudette Colbert to his determination to fight Fidel Castro at every turn and keep the Caribbean Sea from becoming a "Red Lake."

To read these diaries—filled with Reagan's trademark wit, sharp intelligence, and humor—is to gain a unique understanding of one of the most beloved occupants of the Oval Office in our nation's history.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

The diaries our 40th president kept while in office—edited and abridged by historian Brinkley (The Great Deluge)—are largely a straightforward political chronicle. Reagan describes meetings with heads of state and antiabortion leaders, reflects on legislative strategy and worries about leaks to the press. He often used his diary to vigorously defend his polices: for example, after a 1984 visit with South African archbishop Desmond Tutu (whom Reagan calls "naïve"), the president explained why his approach to apartheid—"quiet diplomacy"—was preferable to sanctions. Reagan sometimes seems uncomfortable with dissent, as when he is irked by a high school student who presents a petition advocating a nuclear freeze. And he often sees the media as a "lynch mob," trying to drum up scandal where there is none. Reagan's geniality shines through in his more quotidian comments: he muses regularly about how much he appreciates Nancy, and his complaints about hating Monday mornings make him seem quite like everyone else. Brinkley doesn't weigh down the text with extensive annotation; this makes for smooth reading, but those who don't remember the major political events of the 1980s will want to refer to the glossary of names. Reagan's diaries are revealing, and Brinkley has done historians and the broad public a great service by editing them for publication. (May 22)
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About the Author

Douglas Brinkley is professor of history and Baker Institute Fellow at Rice University. He is the author of numerous bestselling books including The Unfinished Presidency, The Boys of Pointe du Hoc, and The Great Deluge. A contributing editor at Vanity Fair and the in-house historian for CBS News, he divides his time between Austin and Houston, Texas.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 784 pages
• Publisher: Harper; First Edition edition (May 22, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006087600X
• ISBN-13: 978-1616795580
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 1.7 x 9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (155 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14,935 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #4 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( R ) > Reagan, Ronald
  • #91 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Leaders & Notable People > Presidents & Heads of State

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

149 of 166 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What an incredible book, May 24, 2007

By 

William J. Bennett (Ft. Bragg, NC USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Reagan Diaries (Hardcover)

I have not finished reading this yet, but I can't put this one down. You get an incredible insight to President Reagan's thoughts and hopes for the country as well as an understanding of how deeply he loved his wife.

I have also come to realize how humble a man he really was. For example he seemed shocked that whenever he went someplace (even if just for a short trip in D.C.) there was a change of clothes waiting for him. He was also amazed that when one of his children was on TV one evening the staff video taped it for him.

The most enjoyable entries to read are the ones where he talks about simple things like setting his clocks ahead in the sping, or riding a horse at Quantico.

There are also more serious entries where he writes about the Russians and his hopes for peace in the middle east.

The amazing thing is because this is a personal diary, it was never intended to be published. You get (I feel) the real thought and feelings of one of our greatest Presidents.

One reviewer gave this book only one star and his review is less a review of the book and more an attack on the former President. I do not think you need to be conservative to enjoy this book. You just need to want to see the daily thoughts of the man.

76 of 85 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The man shines through, May 29, 2007

By 

K. M. "literary devotee" (California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Reagan Diaries (Hardcover)

This edited volume of President Reagan's diaries is memorable more for preserving the distinctive voice of this fundamentally decent man than for any momentous new insights into his eight years in highest office. The first three years of entries mainly log his daily activities, but on January 18, 1984, Reagan decides he is doing "wrong" because "those schedules are all in the archives." At this point, the president makes more of an effort to include analysis and opinions. However, the tenor of the entries remains matter-of-fact and schedule-driven.

Here is a scattering of comments this reader mentally asterisked:

-- As early as March 19, 1981, Reagan already worries about Secretary of State Alexander Haig: "Al told me he felt he was being undercut by other agencies etc. I worry he has something of a complex about this."

-- When the air traffic controllers struck, Reagan notes he gave them "48 hrs. in which to return & if they don't they are separated from the service." He reminded them of their oath "'that he or she will not strike against the U.S. govt. or any of its agencies.'"

-- Referring to the memorial services for the American troops killed in the Lebanon suicide bombing, Reagan writes on Friday, November 4, 1983: "One little boy, 8 or 9, politely handed me a manila folder saying it was something he'd written about his father. Later when I read it I found it was a poem entitled 'Loneliness.'"

-- During his April '84 trip to China, Reagan comments on his meeting with Deng Xiaoping: "...he really waded in critical of our mid-east policy, our treatment of the developing nations etc. & our disarmament failure. He touched a nerve -- when it was my turn I corrected him with facts and figures & I meant it. Funny thing happened -- he warmed up although he did bring up Taiwan (the only one who did). I told him it was their problem to be worked out -- but it must be worked out peacefully."

-- A few words about the famous Reykjavik meeting with Gorbachev: "Then began the showdown. He wanted language that would have killed SDI. The price was high but I wouldn't sell & that's how the day ended."

-- On July 2, 1987, the president has this to say about Iran-Contra: "Top Secret is call I got from Howard last night. He has learned North in his private testimony said he had kept all news of diversion of Iran funds to Contras from me & no one else had told me."

-- The day after the November elections in 1988, Reagan mentions victor Bush: "George & I had a little one on one & I asked him to continue my custom or returning military salutes. He's for it."

Douglas Brinkley, who edited these diaries, reproduced the entries in this book exactly as Reagan wrote them, misspellings, grammatical errors and all. That's a good editorial decision because, again, it brings the reader closer to the exceptional, optimistic-at-heart head of state who jotted these thoughts and records down in longhand for himself and for posterity. President Reagan preserved -- with a sense of humor and unusually little animosity or ego -- something of his resolute stances regarding the vital issues of the 1980s.

THE REAGAN DIARIES is an historical document worth one's time. For those who lived those years, it is also a day by day reminder of the events that shaped our lives. For those to whom this book is purely history, all the more reason to sample the daily record of a very significant American chief executive.

Four and a half stars.

58 of 65 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Reagan Diaries is a fascinating look at the life of our 40th President during his two terms as Chief Executive of the USA, June 5, 2007

By 

C. M Mills "Michael Mills" (Knoxville Tennessee) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Reagan Diaries (Hardcover)

The Reagan Diaries were written in the White House every evening that Ronald Wilson Reagan occupied the office of President. Reagan writes his innermost thoughts in a clear, concise and closely observed witness to history. Only a few presidents such as John Quincy Adams; James Knox Polk and Rutherford B. Hayes took the time to keep diaries of their tenure in the most powerful office in the free world.
Anyone interested in American history; the US Presidency; the life or Reagan or how modern power politics will benefit for the hours it takes to read these many pages (the book is 700 pages). The diaries have been edited by noted historian Douglas Brinkley of the University of New Orleans. A later two volume edition of the unedited diaries is planned for the future. Brinkly gives concise notes on all the activites Reagan enaged in on a particular day. He has done an excellent job in his editing work. He did so with the cooperation of Nancy and the Reagan family.
In my perusing of these diaries my estimation of Ronald Wilson as a patriotic American seeking to do the best for his nation and freedom has risen several notches on the Richter scale! Reagan will be known for such historical benchmarks as:
1. Reaching detene with the Soviets and standing up to Soviet negotiators. He handled Gorbachev with strength and dignity. His foreign policy with the Soviets will live forever in American memory.
2. In the last few years of his second term Reagan got into deep trouble over the Iran-Contra snafu.
3. Reagan sought to lower taxes and raise the profile of the military. During his term their was the invasion of Granada; the murder of the Marines in Lebanon and continuing conflict in the Middle East. He worked hard and was knowledgable on foreign policy.
4. Reagan's record on Civil Rights and poverty issues is weak. Ironically the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday was passed into law during his term. Personally he had no prejdice against minority groups. His environmental policies were mediocre. He often supported very right wing politicians.
5. Reagan often considered Democratic leaders as demagogues and thought liberalism was a mistake. Ironically he was once a Democrat voting for FDR and Truman.
5. Reagan sought reduction of nuclear arms working hard for SALT agreements and seeing the end of the Cold War against the Russians.
6. Reagan often sought the wisdom, advice and frienship of his good friends Margaret Thatcher British PM and Brian Mulrooney of Canada. His working with other world leaders is something our leaders should seek to restore in the future.
7. On a personal level:
a. Reagan had a deep and abiding love for Nancy! He often alludes to how lonesome and miserable he is when his spouse is out of town. Theirs is one of the truly great love matches in all of Presidential history.
b. Reagan had trouble with his children Ron and Patti (the children by Nancy) getting along better with Maureen his daughter with first wife Jane Wyman, He also had difficulties with his adopted son Michael. (these children had problems and he is not always to blame!).
c. Reagan was a deeply religious man who believed in God. He was a committed Christian believer.
d. Reagan had a great sense of humor; hated to fire staffers and was kind.
e. Reagan loved to go to his California ranch to renew himself following tense and long days in Washington D. C. He was an expert horseman; enjoyed ranch work and sought time to play golf. He was an addict of old Hollywood films. Reagan and Nancy kept up with their old Hollywood friends and were noted for their entertaining skills. Old movies as well as newer films were often screened in their home in California, Camp David and the White House.
f. Reagan gives a great deal of attention in his diaries to his many health problems most notably his recovery from the assassination attempt on his life on March 30, 1981.
g. Reagan worked long and hard as Chief Executive. I was amazed how full a day is for the President! Constant domestic and foreign travel! Difficult political and diplomatic nuts to crack are challenges only a strong person could withstand. Reagan was in his 70s yet was up to the challenge of giving America a strong leader and restoring respect for the United States throughout the world.
Take him all and all.....here was a great leader. Opiniated! Conservative! Old School but nevertheless I am glad he once led the land of the free and home of the brave. His accomplishments are many and profound.
The book may be read with pleasure and insight from cover to cover or browsed through but it is a book which will always demand a secure place in getting into the mindset of Ronald Wilson Reagan.