Must Read of 2007
It was quite a year for those of us who enjoy curling up with a good politically-themed book. There was no shortage of releases, and many excellent reads were available. Ann Coulter’s latest, If Democrats Had Any Brains, They’d Be Republicans, gave evidence that our girl Ann isn’t going to retract her claws any time soon (and thank God for that!). Television’s Glenn Beck put his mix of humor and no-nonsense style down on paper in An Inconvenient Book, which stood for a while as my favorite of the past year.
But without question, the Must Read of 2007: The Reagan Diaries. Never before to this extent has the inner thoughts of a sitting president been captured. From his first day in the Oval Office to his last walk out of the White House, every thought and feeling Reagan had is captured on the pages. For those of you who were around during the Reagan era, it brings back long forgotten moments and issues, and the decisions from the top – some which affect us even to this day.
The Reagan Diaries lets the reader inside the head of the most powerful man on Earth at a time when the two sides of the world were locked in the Cold War. Most fascinating is the contrast that existed in each day. One minute he is discussing possible U.S. action in the Middle East, the next he’s planning the recovery of the American economy from the devastation of the Carter administration, then his focus switches on a dime to the rebellious nature of his kids Ron and Patti.
Weaved throughout is his obvious devotion to his wife, Nancy. Repeatedly, Reagan shows himself to have been a man who was strong enough to take on the problems of the world, while at the same time almost suffer when Nancy was out of town.
Going ‘behind the scenes’ gives you some rare insight into the daily life of who many consider one of the greatest presidents of all time (an opinion I share). Of particular interest are his comments regarding other world leaders and international issues of the time. As an example, putting aside the common belief that the U.S. and Israel have always been in bed together against the Arab world, entries show that Reagan was constantly frustrated by the leaders of the Jewish state when attempting to create a framework of peace in the Middle East.
As well, Reagan’s notes about former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau are very amusing. The former leader of Canada who had a cult-like following from the leftwing majority of his country is described, along with former France leader Mitterrand, as the troublemakers of the international scene. As Reagan put it during one particular Heads of State meeting, “…I thought at one point Margaret [Thatcher] was going to order Pierre to go stand in a corner…”
But without question, the Must Read of 2007: The Reagan Diaries. Never before to this extent has the inner thoughts of a sitting president been captured. From his first day in the Oval Office to his last walk out of the White House, every thought and feeling Reagan had is captured on the pages. For those of you who were around during the Reagan era, it brings back long forgotten moments and issues, and the decisions from the top – some which affect us even to this day.
The Reagan Diaries lets the reader inside the head of the most powerful man on Earth at a time when the two sides of the world were locked in the Cold War. Most fascinating is the contrast that existed in each day. One minute he is discussing possible U.S. action in the Middle East, the next he’s planning the recovery of the American economy from the devastation of the Carter administration, then his focus switches on a dime to the rebellious nature of his kids Ron and Patti.
Weaved throughout is his obvious devotion to his wife, Nancy. Repeatedly, Reagan shows himself to have been a man who was strong enough to take on the problems of the world, while at the same time almost suffer when Nancy was out of town.
Going ‘behind the scenes’ gives you some rare insight into the daily life of who many consider one of the greatest presidents of all time (an opinion I share). Of particular interest are his comments regarding other world leaders and international issues of the time. As an example, putting aside the common belief that the U.S. and Israel have always been in bed together against the Arab world, entries show that Reagan was constantly frustrated by the leaders of the Jewish state when attempting to create a framework of peace in the Middle East.
As well, Reagan’s notes about former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau are very amusing. The former leader of Canada who had a cult-like following from the leftwing majority of his country is described, along with former France leader Mitterrand, as the troublemakers of the international scene. As Reagan put it during one particular Heads of State meeting, “…I thought at one point Margaret [Thatcher] was going to order Pierre to go stand in a corner…”
The Reagan Diaries is a rare and most valuable addition to anyone’s library. The older generation can read and reminisce to a time where we at least knew who our enemies were. Younger readers will have the best research documents on the Reagan era they could have ever hoped for. It is definitely required reading.
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posted by Leigh Patrick Sullivan at 11:10 AM
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