Reagan's Secret War: The Untold Story of His Fight to Save the World from Nuclear Disaster

by Annelise Anderson and Martin Anderson

Book Overview

On February 6, 1981, at his first National Security Council meeting, Ronald Reagan told his advisers: "I will make the decisions." As Reagan's Secret War reveals, these words provide the touchstone... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 030723861X
• ISBN13: 9780307238610
• Release Date: June 2009
• Publisher: Crown Publishing Group (NY)
• Length: 450 Pages
• Weight: 1.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.5" x 6.5" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Book

Arrived on time as described

Well written and insightful!

The book goes into great detail concerning President Reagan's attitude toward the removal of all nuclear weapons and how he slowly but surely convinced the Soviet Union to proced down that same path. Somewhat biased, but it is hard to put aside that admiration when the authors have spent so much time in that administration. A good choice for high school history or political science classes.

Not The Guy Portrayed In The Press

During the 1980s the press portrayed Reagan as an old, somewhat lazy and out of touch president. As the historical evidence continues to emerge the facts reveal something entirely different. First there was the publication of Reagan's letters in 2002 (Reagan: A Life In Letters) followed by the publication of Reagan's diaries from his White House years in 2007 (The Reagan Diaries). Each reveals a different Reagan from the one portrayed in the media. In his own writings we see a visionary leader who understood democracy, grasped the threat of the Soviet Union, and clearly had a vision and plan for how to win the Cold War. Martin and Annelise Anderson's wonderful new book, Reagan's Secret War, further solidifies Reagan as a thoughtful and forceful leader who knew precisely what he was doing in his negotiations with Moscow. Using his personal diaries plus recently declassified documents from the Reagan Library they reconstruct the complex and sometimes tenuous relationship between Reagan and several Soviet leaders, most notably Mikhail Gorbachev. What we see here is a leader who had a vision for peace, was clearly in charge, and had no problem challenging his numerous advisors who would have had him compromise at points where his firm stand would ultimately lead to the defeat of Soviet Communism and the end of the Cold War. Reagan basically had three core principles: 1. A nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought; 2. Always negotiate from a position of strength, and; 3. Trust but verify. Sticking with these three principles Reagan would, along with Margaret Thatcher and Pope John Paul II, lead the movement that would ultimately win the Cold War. For those of us old enough to remember the Reagan years, you will marvel at how close we came to nuclear war in 1983. I had no idea! This is a well-written and worthwhile book. For students of history you will find the facts and insights presented here both informative and enlightening.

Husband loves the book!

Bought for my husband who is a big fan of Reagan and he wasn't disappointed!! Loved every read of it!

The Unprecedented Vision of a Persistent Man

Reagan's Secret War: The Untold Story of His Fight to Save the World from Nuclear Disaster The Left, which clings to it's dogmatic characterizations of Reagan as a "hawk," "amiable dunce," and "manipulated by his advisors" is hereby challenged to read all of Reagan's Secret War. Intimate and thoroughly documented, Annalise and Martin Andersen immerse us in the top secret deliberations of President Reagan with both the National Security Council, and the changing heads of the Soviet Union, as he doggedly persues his decades-old dream of eliminating nuclear weapons. This page-turner has surprise after surprise as Reagan's own extensive writings, and de-classified, top-secret memos reveal his strategic foresight, wiley negotiating skills, unwavering resolve, and bold initiatives that repeatedly defied the recommendations of his top advisors. Clearly, Reagan lead the world out of the Cold War by his vision, relentless and focused vision, and hearfelt belief in God and the better nature of mankind. As the great man believed, "there is no limit to what a man can accomplish if he doesn't care who gets the credit." If only every president had the comprehension of economic systems and the diplomacy skills of Reagan! I can't wait for Annalise and Martin's next book.

The Untold Account of Reagan's Effort to Prevent Nuclear Disaster

There are many accounts in the literature written about President Reagan, but none has concentrated on "Reagan's Secret War" to keep the world safe from nuclear disaster. This book on "Reagan's Secret War" was written based on vast number for recently declassified top-secret files from his administration. The content of this book reveals that President Reagan had taken the initiative as the leader of the free world to prevent the world from nuclear disaster. It shows that President Reagan's leadership, through his courage, conviction, and faith in God, had been the essential factor that ultimately led to the fall of the Soviet Union--the primary threat to a nuclear disaster at that time. I definitely recommend this book to any fan of President Reagan. Even if one is critical of President Reagan, I believe this book will reveal the remarkable character and leadership of President Reagan, which is undeniably admirable.