Recollections of Reagan: A Portrait of Ronald Reagan [Hardcover]

Peter D. Hannaford (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1997

Recollections of Reagan is filled with anecdotes, both poignant and humorous, as well as fascinating bits of history, from Reagan's early days in film to his appointment as Governor of California, to his unsuccessful bid for the White House in 1976, to his two-term presidency. Former Reagan associate Peter Hannaford has brought together these recollections from many of the people who have known Reagan, reported about him, worked with him, or made his acquaintance through diplomacy or friendship.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Peter Hannaford was Director of Public Affairs for Ronald Reagan while he was governor of California, and held senior speechwriting and communications positions in the 1976 and 1980 Reagan presidential campaigns. The author of The Reagans, Hannaford is currently managing director of the Franklin Firm, a public relations firm in Washington, D.C.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow & Company; 1st edition (October 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688146139
• ISBN-13: 978-0688146139
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.4 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #975,081 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars not just light fare for Reaganauts, November 8, 2008

By 

Nicholas Dujmovic (Vienna, Virginia) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Recollections of Reagan: A Portrait of Ronald Reagan (Hardcover)

Well, it IS mostly light fare compared to weightier and more scholarly treatments of Reagan. But even if you are deep diving on the subject, as I am, you'll need a break between Lou Cannon's biography and the heavy tomes of Weinberger and Shultz. This, in short, is the perfect bathroom break book for conservative households, and I mean that as a compliment. I don't mean to denigrate it at all, because it's a charming book full of one or two page vignettes on the man many of us believe was a great president the like of which we need, well, right now.

There are too many recollections of people who mostly quote themselves in recounting What They Told Reagan and others who are otherwise just a bit full of themselves, even by Hollywood or Washington standards (Charles Wick comes to mind). The most valuable stories are not from other great or important men--though the memories of Shultz, Charlton Heston, Jeane Kirkpatrick and Maggie Thatcher are very good--but the best are from the little known or unsung staffers like Jim Kuhn and others.

Through this testimony of many, one gets the consistent view that Reagan was the real thing, a genuine man who knew himself and what he wanted to do, and someone profoundly committed to the dignity of every human being he encountered.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Remembering a great president and a wonderful human being, March 13, 2006

By 

Marvin D. Pipher (Houston, Texas USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Recollections of Reagan: A Portrait of Ronald Reagan (Hardcover)

It has been said that every man is three men -- the man he is -- the man he thinks he is -- and the man others think he is. We may never know for sure what kind of man Ronald Reagan thought he was, but after reading this book you will be able to see him as did those who knew him, worked with him, and in some instances opposed him. And, if you can somehow put it all together, you might just catch a glimpse of the man Ronald Reagan really was.

The book relates many stories about Reagan, some as a politician, but most simply as a friend and as a private man. A few of the stories are well known, but most are based on personal recollections known only to the person telling the story. Some will make you laugh; others might bring a tear to your eye, but each one sheds a little more light on Ronald Reagan as a man and as a human being. So if you admire Ronald Reagan, you'll really enjoy this book. I do and I did. After reading it, I'm sure you'll admire and appreciate him more than ever.