Customer Reviews

The Wit & Wisdom of Ronald Reagan

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If you love and miss Ronald Reagan, this is a book that will feed your nostalgia while providing a warm glow to your day. The author has been a speechwriter and the author of several books, so he knows how to select great words. James C. Humes organizes the book in eight short chapters.

Chapter 1 provides quotations from the Gipper. They are a sentence or two on a wide range of topics (and are arranged alphabetically by topic). Chapter 2 is a collection of quips and jokes and also organized by topic. Chapter 3 provides brief comments by Reagan on world leaders and a few historic figures. Chapter 4 presents brief statements by friends and enemies about Reagan. For example, we are reminded that it was Margaret Thatcher who said he won the Cold War without firing a shot and Pat Schroeder who called him the Teflon President.

Chapter 5 consists of short anecdotes about Reagan's life and career. Chapter 6 puts some of Reagan's best zingers in their true historical context (which the media tries to twist and distort and forget - because they are invested in the notion that Reagan was a dunce. History is taking a much different assessment of the man and his two terms as President). Chapter 7 presents some of Reagan's best stories. They reveal a great deal about his beliefs and his character. Chapter 8 presents excerpts from his best speeches and provides some information about the context in which the speech was given and its effects. Again, this helps undo some of the work the liberals in the media do to insult and undermine his memory.

While much of the material Reagan used was not original with him (some of it is), he delivered it masterfully and had keen insight on when to use it for best effect. This book is not only an enjoyable read, it makes a great gift for anyone in your life who is fond of Reagan or someone you want to learn about how great and effective a President he was.

Reviewed by Craig Matteson, Ann Arbor, MI

The WIT & WISDON OF RONALD REAGAN is warm, revealing and reminiscent of better days. Among this generation of politicians, Reagan shines all the more brightly as a leader of character, confidence, and common sense. Although the media vilified and derided him during his Presidency, America loved him.

The book contains many well-known quips and quotes of "the Gipper" including some which shook the world: "...tear down this wall" and the "evil empire" speech. Others amused and delighted us. "Honey, I forgot to duck". Through it all, the President conducted himself with humility, grace, and wisdom.

"Reaganonomics" was mocked by economists, liberals and the press. But it worked. The economic policies Reagan started with the 1982 tax cut and promoted through his two terms fueled unprecedented economic growth which is still driving the economy today.

From foreign policy to fiscal policy, Reagan stands tall. History will remember Reagan as one of the greatest leaders of the 20th century. This book helps us remember why.

An amazing President with a keen sense of what to say and when to say it! His quips and one-liners were timely, humurous and extremely insightful! This book was a pleasure to read and will remain on my bookshelf for many years to come.

This book clearly shows how Ronald Reagan was superior to his critics. The man they accused of having simple solutions to complex problems outwitted and outmaneuvered them by having just that. His solutions where simple, but not easy. It was the right step to take at a time when America and the rest of the world was suffering from failed economical policies. By making the economy more simple and easing the burdens of the taxpayer, he did more for the world economy than all the economists of the "old" system did after the second world war. His quick remarks and one-liners in response to critique is a great sign of his intelligence. What he did not make up for in his education, he accomplished with his intelligence and belief in the good intent of man.

Humorous and insightful look at various moments in the life and times of President Reagan. Well written and thoughtfully organized to present a range of humor, history, determined statesmanship and love of country.

If you thought Ronald Reagan was an inspired and patriotic leader of our nation, then by all means buy this book. You will be toughly pleased.

If you believe the liberal establishment's denigration of this great man, then buy a book on Barack Obama. You will be shocked by the stark differences.

If you are a Ronald Reagan fan like I am, you will love this book. His humor, charm, and wisdom are timeless. He is sorely missed.

I recently purchased several books about Ronald Reagan. I have enjoyed the ones that quote him, as this book does. The categories for the quotes are helpful and I find it interesting to see how often Reagan diarmed people with his wit and quick timing.

Those of us who lived through The Regan Years know what an icon is and what Regan brought to the office. This book gives the reader an insight into not only his political life, but his private life. Love him or not you will realize what made him tick. He lent the aspect of "Class" to the office giving people the chance to laugh with him and say "Right on". This book should become a classic.

I wish I had purchased a CD instead of the book...I would have loved to hear his voice once more. President Reagan had the most wonderful voice and a wit that no other president could match. His words of wisdom should be a must-read for everyone holding office, just to keep them humble and honorable. Wouldn't that be a wonderful thought? This book is a fun read, and will be read again and again.

Great quotes from our greates communicator, gives an insite to his sense of humor. I was expecting a little more to the book, more pages and anedotes.