Reagan: A Life in Letters

by Annelise Anderson, Martin Anderson, Kiron K. Skinner

Book Overview

The New York Times bestselling collection of Ronald Reagan's letters--a definitive look at a man, an era, and a presidency. Ronald Reagan may have been the most prolific correspondent of any American president since Theodore Roosevelt, having likely written more than 10,000 letters in his lifetime to a wide array of friends and family, politicians, private citizens, and children. Honest, open, and heartfelt, Reagan's letters reveal a man who felt...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0743219678
• ISBN13: 9780743219679
• Release Date: October 2004
• Publisher: Free Press
• Length: 935 Pages
• Weight: 2.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.6" x 6.1" x 9.1"

Customer Reviews

Know the man from his own words

Whatever one's opinions of Reagan's domestic and foriegn policy may be, it is hard to overestimate the effect of Ronald Reagan on the world around him. This outstanding book is not narrative, nor is it a history. Rather, it is simply a collection of his letters to constituents, fellow policy makers, critics, and friends. It is quite possible that Ronald Reagan will be the last president to leave us this amount of correspondence. As the art of letter writing dies, replaced with e-mail and with the telephone, this traditionally rich source for historians will likely diminish in importance.Not so for Reagan. He was a product of his generation; and he wrote. Letter after letter reveals the real Ronald Reagan on these pages. This book and its counterpart "Reagan in His Own Hand," which focuses on the develpment of his philosophy and resulting policy positions, are both indespensible in helping us understand his legacy. Highly recommended.

Reagan As No One Has Presented Him-As Himself

I'll admit off the bat that I love Ronald Reagan. I think he was a fantastic President. I really do. However, I've found that biographies of the man, and his own memoirs, have only shown us a little of who he was. "An American Life", his post White House memoir, offered little in the way of great stories. It wasn't all together self-serving(that wasn't Reagan's way), but it had that same, kinda dull quality that seems to haunt all presidential memoirs. I get upset at Booth all over again when I think about what Lincoln's memoirs would have been like. Here though, in his own words, Reagan comes off as human. Flawed as any other person on this Earth, but with that absoute sense of right and wrong that galvanized his supporters and infuriated his critics. A previous reviewer who gave the book just one star obviously did not read the book, as Reagan's letters answer critics of Iran-Contra and address the Beiruit bombing. Whether you believe Reagan is up to you. That he addresses his critics in this book is a fact.The book gives a very interesting portrait of Reagan. It starts with his earliest correspondence as a boy, and moves throughhis midwest years to his Hollywood years and into the governors mansion. It follows Reagan's travels on the campaign trail, and the sheer volume of letters is staggering. The man, who many on the left portray as an empty vessell, clearly had a lot to say, and he believed in what he talked about a wrote. The book features Reagans fair-mindedness, as he responds to letters from citizens that impune his character, his motives, and his upbringing. He treats each writer with a respect and affords them the dignity they denied him. It's clear that he was a master of the written word.In fact, one of the prime reasons to read this is to relish what good letter writing could be. In the days of email, finely written letters are a lost art. Even if you are a critic of Reagan's politics, if you are an honest broker pick up the book. It reads quickly and lets you into Reagans thoughts in a way never before seen. Any person with an interest in the Reagan legacy needs to read this book.

The "More myth making" comment is unreal...

and must be from someone who has not read the book. These are letter Reagan wrote himself - not the work of his staff or supporters. These letters are an invaluable look at Ronald Reagan the person, the president, the Republican, the actor, the husband, the friend and the parent. Agree or disagree with the politics of the Reagan years, this book is a treasure trove for anyone who wants to know more about Reagan in all his many "roles."

A gentle surprise

I sincerely doubt the bloggers who post that this is a poor book have ever even read it (certainly not with an unjaundiced eye) but are responding to their own political bias. I am not. I decided to give this book a look with some trepidation, expecting childish prose and awkward proselytizing. What I got was a series of lovely, gentle snippets from the pen of a man who was clearly more than he seemed. His surprising notes about tolerance and meaning in sexual relations were quite beautifully written and I am truly impressed with his simple and elegant prose style. This is really a very gentlemanly book. I would not hesitate to give this as a gift. Even naysayers (except those who are hard-hearted ideologues) will be unable to keep their hearts forzen in the face of this work.

Here he goes again...Right on Target

No one can read this book and be honest and then continue the myth that Ronald Reagan was not brilliant and insightful.Certainly, President Reagan was not only the most personally insightful person on the national stage about the world around him of any of our presidents in the last 100 years, but clearly he is the best writer since Abraham Lincoln. Read this book and you will understand why President Reagan was re-elected by the largest margin since Franklin Roosevelt.