Reagan: A Life in Letters by Ronald Reagan


Reagan: A Life in Letters
Title : Reagan: A Life in Letters
Author :
Rating :
ISBN : 074321966X
ISBN-10 : 9780743219662
Language : English
Format Type : Hardcover
Number of Pages : 934
Publication : First published September 1, 2003

Ronald Reagan may have been the most prolific correspondent of any American president since Thomas Jefferson. The total number of letters written over his lifetime probably exceeds 10,000. Their breadth is equally astonishing -- with friends and family, with politicians, children, and other private citizens, Reagan was as dazzling a communicator in letters as he was in person. Collectively, his letters reveal his character and thinking like no other source. He made candid, considerate, and tough statements that he rarely made in a public speech or open forum. He enjoyed responding to citizens, and comforting or giving advice or encouragement to friends. Now, the most astonishing of his writings, culled in Reagan: A Portrait in Letters, finally and fully reveal the true Ronald Reagan. Many of Reagan's handwritten letters are among the most thoughtful, charming, and moving documents he produced. Long letters to his daughter Patti, applauding her honesty, and son Ron Jr., urging him to be the best student he can be, reveal Reagan as a caring parent. Long-running correspondence with old friends, carried on for many decades, reveals the importance of his hometown and college networks. Heartfelt advice on love and marriage, fond memories of famous friends from Hollywood, and rare letters about his early career allow Reagan to tell his own full biography as never before. Running correspondence with young African-American student Ruddy Hines reveals a little-known presidential pen pal. The editors also reveal that another long-running pen-pal relationship, with fan club leader Lorraine Wagner, was initially ghostwritten by his mother, until Reagan began to write to Wagner himself someyears later. Reagan's letters are a political and historical treasure trove. Revealed here for the first time is a running correspondence with Richard Nixon, begun in 1959 and continuing until shortly before Nixon's death. Letters to key supporters reveal that Reagan was thinking of the presidency from the mid-1960s; that missile defense was of interest to him as early as the 1970s; and that few details of his campaigns or policies escaped his notice. Dozens of letters to constituents reveal Reagan to have been most comfortable and natural with pen in hand, a man who reached out to friend and foe alike throughout his life. Reagan: A Life in Letters is as important as it is astonishing and moving.

Reagan: A Life in Letters Reviews

  • Denise Bradshaw

    OK - upfront, I must admit that I consider Ronald Reagan to have been a great President; possibly the greatest in my lifetime.
    That said, this is a great book. President Reagan wrote letters, many, many letters every single day of this life. This book is a treasure trove of information - from when he was in school, through his years as head of the Screen Actor's Guild, Governor of California and then as President. I am glad he was not alive for the electronic communication age - so much of his wit and wisdom would have been lost; for his style of communication takes time to create, read and absorb - it would not fit into the 'instant messaging' world most of us live in.
    In the book are letters to family, loved ones, peers, fans, other world leaders, and even children who wrote to him as president. Each letter oozes warmth, kindness and charm.
    This is a great book.

  • Al Lock

    Terrific book to get an inside look at the best President of the last half of the 20th Century.

  • Patrick Duran

    LOVED this book. It shows his intelligence and deep love of family. This is an in-depth account of his life through his letters and a surprisingly captivating account of the events throughout his life. He was not the idiot that the left made him out to be but rather an intelligent man who struggled with his party and his decision to eventually leave the Democratic party with his progression in political thought.

  • David

    My hero! What can I say.
    This is a coffee table book that I pick up and read a section or two at a time. It is a collection of correspondence from our beloved 40th President of the United States.
    The letters are a mixture ranging from official state business to very personal correspondence with friends and family. It provides an insight to the mind and heart of a great man, and surely one of the five or six greatest presidents in our history.

  • Joe Martin

    Reagan: A Life in Letters by Ronald Reagan (2003)

  • Tstultz69

    Thoughts from a great president.

  • Jennifer

    Interesting read, whether you liked his politics or no. I find it inspiring to read these correspondences, and have respect for those who take the time to acknowledge others.

  • Sean Pfile

    You read this and you wish we still wrote letters instead of quick emails...

  • Neal Dearyan

    Touching.

  • Jessica

    What a great man. This book made me wish I had known him and want to be more like him.

  • Brenden

    Reagan: A Life in Letters by Ronald Reagan (2003)

  • Kara Weir kelly

    One of the most beautiful writers and orators that ever lived.