An American Life: An Enhanced eBook with CBS Video
The Autobiography
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- $16.99
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- $16.99
Publisher Description
Ronald Reagan’s autobiography is a work of major historical importance. Here, in his own words, is the story of his life—public and private—told in a book both frank and compellingly readable.
Few presidents have accomplished more, or been so effective in changing the direction of government in ways that are both fundamental and lasting, than Ronald Reagan. Certainly no president has more dramatically raised the American spirit, or done so much to restore national strength and self-confidence.
Here, then, is a truly American success story—a great and inspiring one. From modest beginnings as the son of a shoe salesman in Tampico, Illinois, Ronald Reagan achieved first a distinguished career in Hollywood and then, as governor of California and as president of the most powerful nation in the world, a career of public service unique in our history.
Ronald Reagan’s account of that rise is told here with all the uncompromising candor, modesty, and wit that made him perhaps the most able communicator ever to occupy the White House, and also with the sense of drama of a gifted natural storyteller.
He tells us, with warmth and pride, of his early years and of the elements that made him, in later life, a leader of such stubborn integrity, courage, and clear-minded optimism. Reading the account of this childhood, we understand how his parents, struggling to make ends meet despite family problems and the rigors of the Depression, shaped his belief in the virtues of American life—the need to help others, the desire to get ahead and to get things done, the deep trust in the basic goodness, values, and sense of justice of the American people—virtues that few presidents have expressed more eloquently than Ronald Reagan.
With absolute authority and a keen eye for the details and the anecdotes that humanize history, Ronald Reagan takes the reader behind the scenes of his extraordinary career, from his first political experiences as president of the Screen Actors Guild (including his first meeting with a beautiful young actress who was later to become Nancy Reagan) to such high points of his presidency as the November 1985 Geneva meeting with Mikhail Gorbachev, during which Reagan invited the Soviet leader outside for a breath of fresh air and then took him off for a walk and a man-to-man chat, without aides, that set the course for arms reduction and charted the end of the Cold War.
Here he reveals what went on behind his decision to enter politics and run for the governorship of California, the speech nominating Barry Goldwater that first made Reagan a national political figure, his race for the presidency, his relations with the members of his own cabinet, and his frustrations with Congress.
He gives us the details of the great themes and dramatic crises of his eight years in office, from Lebanon to Grenada, from the struggle to achieve arms control to tax reform, from Iran-Contra to the visits abroad that did so much to reestablish the United States in the eyes of the world as a friendly and peaceful power. His narrative is full of insights, from the unseen dangers of Gorbachev’s first visit to the United States to Reagan’s own personal correspondence with major foreign leaders, as well as his innermost feelings about life in the White House, the assassination attempt, his family—and the enduring love between himself and Mrs. Reagan.
An American Life is a warm, richly detailed, and deeply human book, a brilliant self-portrait, a significant work of history.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Reagan presents anecdotes about his family, details his ideology, tells of his presidential candidacy and describes his eight years in the White House. Photos.
Customer Reviews
Kk
Dude, K.K is a Klown...whine about Reagans policies on your Facebook, then maybe someone will give a rip. Really dude, the Arizona shootings? You want to play that card? Why don't you go back to the CNN comment boards where Sarah Palin is the real culprit behind the senseless rampage in Arizona. Sure, let's play the blame game. I place full responsibility upon Jared loughner. And him alone.
Our Beloved President
I miss President Reagan. For twenty years I served this nation as a Chief in the United States Navy. I always knew he had the back of every American. I felt like he was my Father encouraging me on. All Americans did. While Tip ONeil disagreed with the President he would go to say how much he loved and respected his good friend. A Democrat lays back and puts his hand out crying out where's mine. A Republican never lays back but works hard and demands that the money he earned is his. Who is right is up for debate. This book reflects the thoughts of perhaps the greatest leader of the past 150 years. I loved the book and I am grateful to have been alive while he led my country.
A True American Hero
If all of us were half the man Ronald Reagan was, the very ideologies of liberalism and socialism would quake and crumble beneath its weak foundations. God bless Ronald Reagan...God bless the U.S. Of A!