Reagan, in His Own Hand: The Writings of Ronald Reagan That Reveal His Revolutionary Vision for America

by Kiron K. Skinner, Annelise Anderson, Martin Anderson, et al.

Book Overview

Hidden in the archives of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library for more than a decade, the writings contained in Reagan, In His Own Hand redefine the way we think about American history of the past... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 074320123X
• ISBN13: 9780743201230
• Release Date: February 2001
• Publisher: Free Press
• Length: 549 Pages
• Weight: 2.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.6" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

Book

Arrived on time as described

Many of Us Underestimated Ronald Reagan

This selection of 670 radio commentaries Ronald Reagan wrote between 1975 and 1979 astonishes me to no end. Although I was an ardent supporter of the former President, it seemed to me that Reagan's intellect left much to be desired. At best I concluded that Reagan had superb gut instincts, but was primarily the mouthpiece of those far more intelligent than himself. The first question concerning--Reagan, In His Own Hand--that came to mind was whether Reagan relied upon a ghost writer. After all, it is well established that some political leaders such as John F. Kennedy were credited for books they never wrote. I was therefore amazed to learn that it appears Ronald Reagan didn't even have an editorial assistant. These writings are indeed the result of Reagan's many years of intellectual inquiry in issues dominating the last three quarters of a century.The editors of this collection rightfully describe Reagan as "a one-man think tank." His insights on why Communism would inevitably disintegrate alone justifies the purchase of this work. Reagan's detractors were upset when the President called the now defunct Soviet Union an "evil empire." Nevertheless, Reagan refused to mealy mouth the truth. In the end Reagan insisted that we stay the course in our opposition to World Communism. A weaker but still dangerous Soviet Union might still exist today had it not been for President Reagan. He was proven correct and his opponents should have the integrity to admit their errors in judgment. The great leader also clearly understood the values of Democratic Capitalism. Some may legitimately nit-pick Reagan on some of the specifics, but substantially he was on target. Reagan's own words reveal a profound realization that dire poverty can only be eradicated by an essentially free economic system; government policies may be well meaning, but inadvertently often do more harm than good.Ronald Reagan was one of the greatest Presidents in our nation's history. Even many professional Liberal historians are favorably reevaluating Reagan's Presidency. --Reagan, In His Own Hand--deserves a prominent place in one's library. These radio commentaries allow us to more fully comprehend how fortunate we were that Ronald Reagan lead our nation during such a crucial era.

Running for office? Read this book

Before I begin my review, I must first say that I did not vote for Ronald Reagan. While I agree with his views on foreign policy, I did not support his stands on economic and social issues.What I liked about this book was Reagan's writing. He was quick, to the point and consistent. You have to admire a politician that rarely waivers from his views, even if you do not agree with them. You might not have agreed with this man, but his views on the Soviet were the same when he took office as they were in his writing. The same with China, Panama, Isreal and economics. In his writing, you see that this is a more thoughtful man than he is portrayed by others. I am sure he was more capable of having an intelligent conversation than people believed. While I would not have called Reagan a 'policy wonk', he communicated his views and ideas far better than Clinton-a man who acts like he knows he is smart.I've read other Reagan bios and letters and memoirs of other Presidents-Roosevelt, Kennedy, Johnson, Nixon, Carter, Bush and Clinton. I liked the Ambrose series on Nixon best, but this comes real close.Anyone who is considering running for office should read this book. Reagan showed the way on how to explain complicated ideas in basic terms. All politicians of all views could learn a lot from him.

The Tooth Of Envy Is Powerless To Reagan?s Own Words!

What a fine book that finally reveals the real Ronald Reagan in his own words that no media revisionists can change or condemn. Here is a man rising to prominence from unassuming beginnings not on blood, nobility or background but on the basis of his words, abilities and actions. The book counters all the Liberal Leftists who took great joy in making fun of Ronald Reagan claiming many untruths, portraying him an incompetent boob and one who simply slept through his presidency. Nevertheless Reagan's own words have responded, Reagan like all people has succumb to old age and his depraved faultfinders thought he could not respond. The book proves otherwise. All those shameful nefarious reports and unkind whispers of senility were intended to act like acid to slowly corrode Reagan's legacy. But these critics' discord have been made impotent by the only shield Reagan always had, his own words and writings. The authors reveal three aspects of Reagan's character which are hard work, competent delegation and definable actions. Now the world stands in wonderment of a conundrum having to admit they can do nothing to tarnish the brilliance of Reagan's presidency. What I found enlightening is how Ronald Reagan would dictate a memo from Ronald Reagan to Ronald Reagan when he disagreed with a particular policy. Even though our Foreign Policy had to support China, Reagan disagreed in abandoning an Allied like Taiwan and wrote why he did so in a separate memo. Such memos make known an shrewd and knowledgeable man of principle. The book clearly refutes anyone saying he slept in the afternoon, was too old and feeble or simply was a puppet president. The people who created these false rumors were either ignorant, misinformed or outright liars. Reagan's legacy in his own words, memos and deeds prove it time and time again. The tooth of envy is now powerless regarding Reagan's enduring legacy as bear witness with his own words in the book. The book confirms that Ronald Reagan accomplished so much through his own judgment, acumen and energy. This is the imprint that will remain in history invalidating all those humorless cynics now left in their own dust of self created ridicule. The world must recognize a lofty attitude of praise when speaking about Ronald Reagan. I highly recommend this book. It is superb and gives you a window of a man who loved this nation and led it with dedicated work and devotedly attached actions.

Reagan-More than a Great Communicator

Reagan, In His Own Hand, is a treasure trove of writings that provide the reader with a unique window on Ronald Reagan's detailed vision of foreign and domestic policy. Throughout the book, Reagan defines the agenda that he would eventually take to the White House. It is striking that on several occasions, Reagan writes of the demise of communism, an idea scoffed at by leading foreign policy experts in the 1970's as well as during his presidency. Reagan, In His Own Hand, defines the vision and conviction of a man who made his mark on history with courage and optimism. The legacy of Ronald Reagan will be defined by his relentless pursuit of these ideas throughout much of his adult life. Historians will likely conclude from these writings that Ronald Reagan assumed the presidency better prepared to lead the nation than any other leader of the 20th century. Here finally, is the opportunity to see how "Reagan the Thinker" transformed the political landscape of America and the world.

A man with a vision

Ronald Reagan unjustifiably has the reputation of being vacuous with his subordinates implementing his vaguely defined policies. This view of Reagan is utter nonsense. In fact, if you remember the 1980 presidential debates against Jimmy Carter, Reagan is a man with both a vision and an understanding of the details to implement that vision. If he did not tend to the day to day details while in office, that was a concious management decision, not a failure to grasp the issues. As the writings, reproduced in this book, demonstrate, Reagan understood the details of his positions and, in radio adresses he gave over the years between his governorship and presidency, he set them forth cogently and convincingly. Despite the calumnies against him, he was, in fact extremely intelligent and insightful.Reagan had no speechwriter prepare his radio addresses. He prepared them in longhand on legal pads and then, he edited them. This book gives examples of his editing drafts. Since Reagan carefully prepared the addresses in advance, they are preserved as "writings." I wonder how well Clinton, Gore, Bush, or anyone else would stand up if they were to speak, every week, in their own words without their remarks being ghostwritten, or at least heavily edited, by their speechwriters. I suspect none of them would hold a candle to Reagan. In addition to these speeches, this book includes other writings of Reagan. I was impressed with Reagan's understanding of issues and his attention to detail, something heretofor he has not been credited with. In seeing his foreign policy set for and his anticommunism articulated, before he was president, I am impressed that we had a president who understood the Soviet Union well and handled the "evil empire" better than any other president before him. I am reminded of Eisenhower who also had the reputation of being ditzy and not in control. Recent biographers have shown that to be utterly false. In fact, according to Stephan Ambrose, Eisenhower had the stregnth to stand up to severe pressure to launch a first strike nuclear attack against the Soviet Union in 1957. So too Reagan was very much in control and he courageously pursued his policies as regards to the Soviet Union. Whereas Eisenhower's pressures came from hawks, Reagan's came from those mindlessly urging disarmament. Like Eisenhower, he did what was right and this book sets forth his understanding of the right course to follow. I recommend this book of writings of our most eloquent president.