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The Reagan Diaries (Hardcover) (精装)
by Ronald Reagan
| Category:
History, President, Reagan, Diaries, politics |
| Market price: ¥ 368.00
MSL price:
¥ 348.00
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Pre-order item, lead time 3-7 weeks upon payment [ COD term does not apply to pre-order items ] |
MSL rating:
 Good for Gifts |
| MSL Pointer Review:
The "Reagan Diaries" is a fabulous read and an interesting personal look into the life of one of our country's greatest presidents. |
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AllReviews |
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Marvin Pipher (MSL quote), USA
<2007-10-17 00:00>
Based on Reagan's personal diaries, kept daily over a period of eight years, this book gives us more insight into the REAL Ronald Reagan than any book written to date or any book likely to be written in the future.
When I began reading it, I was tuned to several aspects of Reagan's character and to some of his presumed faults as asserted by the liberal media and by his political enemies during his time in office. Did Reagan, for example, sleep through his daily National Security Council (NSC) briefings and his Cabinet meetings? Was he so indecisive that he could never make a decision? Did his aides have to tell him exactly what to say and where to stand to say it? Did Nancy Reagan really run things often using astrology as the basis for her decisions? Did Don Regan keep people from contacting the president while he was Chief of Staff? Did the president know about Iran/Contra? And did Reagan suffer from early Alzheimer's during the latter part of his presidency? I also wondered if I could discern the familial relationships between Reagan and his children.
Taking these one by one: I was amazed at Reagan's continued grasp of what was happening in his administration and was astounded that, after what must have been a grueling day's work, he could sit down and recount and record the major happenings of each day's activities. No! Reagan didn't sleep through his NSC and Cabinet meetings. Was Reagan indecisive? If he was, he certainly didn't think so, for his diary entries are consistently dynamic, forceful, and resolute. Did his aides tell him what to say and do? If they did, he couldn't possibly have kept these diaries. Did Nancy make the decisions? Perhaps she influenced him in private, but, as near as I can recall, there was only one time in his diary where Nancy attempted to influence him - and they disagreed. Did Don Regan keep people and, perhaps information, from Reagan? If he did, it isn't apparent from Reagan's diary entries during Regan's term. Did Reagan know about and approve Iran/Contra? It is clear that Reagan approved the sale of military hardware to Israel to replace that sold by them to Iran, but it is just as clear that he knew nothing about any funds being diverted to the Contras. As for Reagan's presumed loss of mental capacity during his last two years in office: I could not discern any change in mental capacity based on his diary entries. I did, however, note a distinct change following George H. W. Bush's election in November of 1988. Perhaps the load had been lifted. As for Reagan's relationships with his children: based on numerous diary entries, it would seem that Reagan had a fairly good relationship with his son Ron, an excellent rapport with his daughter Maurine, and good relations with his son Michael starting at about the time Michael's book "On the Outside Looking In" was written. There was very little mention of Patty Davis throughout the book.
Until now, I have always ranked Ronald Reagan, along with George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, as one of America's three greatest presidents,. After reading this book, however, I have concluded that Ronald Reagan is most likely the greatest president this nation has ever seen. I say that because it is now much easier for me to envision Reagan serving as America's first president in a much simpler time and, similarly, I think Reagan could have seen our nation through the Civil War. On the other hand: I have a great deal of trouble seeing either Washington or Lincoln being able to deal with the problems Reagan faced on almost a daily bases for eight solid years as the world's leading super power.
I highly recommend this book, although I don't think it is for everyone. I really appreciated the fact that there was no puffery and no self-aggrandizement. Reagan simply told it like it was. My only disappointment was that Reagan's diary entries were so explicit and concise that they failed to capture the tenor of his manner of speaking.
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NOVA REVIEWER (MSL quote), USA
<2007-10-17 00:00>
I give this book five stars although it is not as complete as I wish. Douglas Brinkley tries to mix Reagan's personal thoughts and life with his everyday official business. Although he did a good job I felt he left a lot out that could have added more to this edited version of the President's diary.
Several things did stand out -
1. I remember how the news media did a hatchet job on his Administration but publicly he usually maintained the high road by treating his media detractors with courtesy and professionalism - almost as though he was oblivious to them. In private though, it was obvious he was aware of their animosity. But for a right wing bumpkin - as the media treated him - he usually was able to manipulate the media against itself. Not too shabby for an ignorant senile old man.
2. The shapings of the major scandal of his Administration was particularly interesting as he touched on efforts to free hostages in the Middle East. Anybody looking for a smoking gun indicating his guilt of an impeachable event will be disappointed - unless Brinkley edited that guilt out of the book.
3. For a man who preached family values - and was very devoted to his wife - he had problems with his own kids. Nothing sinister but it shows that even the most powerful person in the world can feel powerless when it comes to his own family. I remembered the flak George Bush, Jr. got when his twin daughters misbehaved and thought that if we disqualified parents from public service if they could not control their own kids there would not be many parents qualified for public service.
4. Although he was - and unfortunately still is - the icon of Republican conservativism, even he had difficulties keeping the conservative movement satisfied all the time. (I say "unfortunately" because the current crop of Republican candidates are too busy trying to portray themselves as the next Ronald Reagan when they should be themselves.) I do not think his successor, George Bush Sr, ever truly appreciated Reagan's hold on the party. The senior Bush may have been better educated and maybe even more intelligent but President Reagan was the heart and soul of the Republican Party. Reagan could hold the party together in ways his successor could not comprehend.
5. Although he had enemies most of the people he dealt with in government were either friends from his own party or friends from the other party. This was still an era where he could battle Tip O'Neil or another Democratic leader at a professional and political level and then shmooze with them in private. They left their differences at the door when it came to socializing. This was true with administrations prior to Reagan's and largely true through George Bush Sr's Administration. But it has been largely cut throat the last fifteen years and both parties share the blame.
I consider the book to be incomplete for a couple of reasons. First, in the interest of conciseness, Douglas Brinkley left a lot of stuff out and provided only a brief summary of issues the President wrote in the diary. This may have been necessary to keep the book to a readable length but sometimes I felt from the summary that there was a lot of interesting material left out and substituted with trivial.
My more immediate concern, though, was the lack of explanation. Brinkley could have footnoted this book to death and fortunately he chose not to. But so much of the book may be incomprehensible to somebody who did not live through that era so there may be much left in that would be meaningless to a casual history buff. I felt Brinkley would have better served the reader by providing a three or four page summary at the start of each year explaining the main issues that are discussed in the diary. For example, he brushed off a casual comment in one of his Saturday radiocasts when he spoke into an open microphone declaring the Soviet Union to be illegal. I remember that to be a funny event that the media and the Reagan detractors blew out of proportion. |
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Skoro (MSL quote), USA
<2007-10-17 00:00>
Love him or loathe him, Ronald Reagan was a President who knew how to lead. His diaries reveal how hectic, pressure-packed, and demanding serving in the office of President can be, even for a popular chief executive. Reagan's willingness to make the tough decision and then let the chips fall where they may endeared him to some, while others called him reckless. Indeed, the Iran-Contra scandal is evidence that at times he wasn't as in control of his administration as he appeared to be to the public. But through it all, one gets the indelible impression that Reagan was a man who cared deeply about America and its people, and acted in what he saw as the nation's best interest. (Totally unlike the current administration) He also makes it clear that he enjoyed his years in the White House, fully realizing that he'd be only a temporary occupant. But he was only truly comfortable in Washington when accompanied by Nancy. He makes frequent references to how lonely the White House felt when she was out of town.
This is a very informal, first-person account that history buffs, Reagan fans and political junkies will find most gratifying. |
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V. Fiore (MSL quote), USA
<2007-10-17 00:00>
The Reagan Diaries affords the reader a front row view of what is certainly one of America's greatest president's, Ronald Wilson Reagan. Even more so, one will gain new respect for Reagan--and any president, I think--when one realizes the dizzying and diverse amount of responsibilities that the leader of the free world must accommodate himself to daily. From meeting world leaders to Girl Scout leaders, President Reagan stepped up and carried out the duties of the presidency with a respect seldom exhibited by modern day executives.
The book is chock-full of the "real Reagan" that his acolytes have always known, and it shows how the president felt regarding a host of issues. When reading the book, one will notice a few central themes to Reagan's presidency, and his personal life: His complete disgust over communism; his belief in the free market, and his attempts at making government less intrusive in people's lives.
Lest anyone doubt, Reagan displays and defines the conservative principles that define modern day conservatism for millions today. It is, in my opinion, one of Reagan's greatest legacies.
On the personal score, one overriding sentiment Reagan expresses over and above is his love for Nancy Reagan. Reagan remarks time and again how lonely he feels when Nancy was away on personal or in keeping busy with the duties of a First Lady. The Reagan Diaries will afford the reader a glimpse into his strained relationships with some of his children, and the patience it took maintain said relationships.
From the political point of view, Reagan was a gentleman's gentleman, proving that one could be political adversaries on different sides of the aisle, yet friends after the sun went down on Washington. His friendship with House Speaker Thomas "Tip" O'Neill is nearly legendary in the beltway.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone seeking to enhance ones knowledge of America's 40th president. It will also prove valuable as a fist-hand introduction to the life of Ronald Reagan for the beginner in the world of politics. A more candid and refreshing account of Reagan cannot be found, as these are the very words of America's greatest conservative president, Ronald Reagan.
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Steve Guardala (MSL quote), USA
<2007-10-17 00:00>
At some 700 pages this was a surprisingly fast & informative read. During his 2 terms as our 40th president he kept a diary that has proven very revealing not only for conservatives, but for anyone who wishes to learn about the depth of a very interesting man. For me, & many of our gen Xer's he was the most important President since FDR. Most everything is touched on, his thoughts on a myriad of subjects. From his dislike of Monday mornings,{sounds familiar} Communism, terrorism, Capitalism, the everyday American, defending his policies like his crusade to liberate eastern Europe from the yoke of communism & his distrust of the "lynch mob mentality of the media." His meetings with Gorbachev, Desmond Tutu, Pope John Paul the 2nd, & Margaret Thatcher. He clearly held the latter two in high esteeem, while finding Tutu very naive. He reveals his love of the USA & wife Nancy in poignant & touching terms. These two topics are where he shows the most emotions. Here is a man far more intelligent & contemplative than the left-leaning media ever gave him credit for. Mr. Brinkley deserves praise for his fine editing, he has done the broad public a fine service. |
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Randy Haddock (MSL quote), USA
<2007-10-17 00:00>
This volume is a highly readable daily history of the Presidency of Ronald Reagan. More than a trip down memory lane, the book provides wonderful nuggets of insight into Mr. Reagan's views on fellow world leaders and contemporary events. The next time someone claims President Reagan was out of touch, this book need only be produced to refute such claims. History can be fun! |
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A reader (MSL quote), USA
<2007-10-17 00:00>
thought Ronald Reagan was a great President, but to know he wrote every single day an accounting of his days in the White House is astonishing. Few people keep diaries, but to have our President do it?! Wonderful! Personal histories are so rare and with the media so bent on...bending, it's great to read something that's real and honest.
I found it interesting that he appeared at functions, or presented medals or simply did the job he signed up for, when others before him couldn't be bothered. He made a lasting and positive impression. And the deep, pronounced, unashamed love he had for Mrs. Reagan is heartbreaking and lovely at the same time. Wouldn't it be wonderful to have that kind of devotion to anyone or anything?
I felt in much better hands when Reagan was at the helm. Today, I wish this wonderful cowboy could be here to help us now.... |
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Craig Fuller (MSL quote), USA
<2007-10-17 00:00>
Having spent all eight years in the White House while Ronald Reagan was President, I was moved and thrilled to see how he told his story in his own words. It is a story of a thoughtful, compassionate individual fully engaged in governing. That is always what those of us who were fortunate enough to be close President Reagan believed him to be. Now, readers of The Reagan Diaries have a chance to see the person so respected by all who had the opportunity to serve him. |
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C. M Mills (MSL quote), USA
<2007-10-17 00:00>
The Reagan Diaries were written in the White House every evening that Ronald Wilson Reagan occupied the office of President. Reagan writes his innermost thoughts in a clear, concise and closely observed witness to history. Only a few presidents such as John Quincy Adams; James Knox Polk and Rutherford B. Hayes took the time to keep diaries of their tenure in the most powerful office in the free world.
Anyone interested in American history; the US Presidency; the life or Reagan or how modern power politics will benefit for the hours it takes to read these many pages (the book is 700 pages). The diaries have been edited by noted historian Douglas Brinkley of the University of New Orleans. A later two volume edition of the unedited diaries is planned for the future. Brinkly gives concise notes on all the activites Reagan enaged in on a particular day. He has done an excellent job in his editing work. He did so with the cooperation of Nancy and the Reagan family.
In my perusing of these diaries my estimation of Ronald Wilson as a patriotic American seeking to do the best for his nation and freedom has risen several notches on the Richter scale! Reagan will be known for such historical benchmarks as:
1. Reaching detene with the Soviets and standing up to Soviet negotiators. He handled Gorbachev with strength and dignity. His foreign policy with the Soviets will live forever in American memory.
2. In the last few years of his second term Reagan got into deep trouble over the Iran-Contra snafu.
3. Reagan sought to lower taxes and raise the profile of the military. During his term their was the invasion of Granada; the murder of the Marines in Lebanon and continuing conflict in the Middle East. He worked hard and was knowledgable on foreign policy.
4. Reagan's record on Civil Rights and poverty issues is weak. Ironically the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday was passed into law during his term. Personally he had no prejdice against minority groups. His environmental policies were mediocre. He often supported very right wing politicians.
5. Reagan often considered Democratic leaders as demagogues and thought liberalism was a mistake. Ironically he was once a Democrat voting for FDR and Truman.
5. Reagan sought reduction of nuclear arms working hard for SALT agreements and seeing the end of the Cold War against the Russians.
6. Reagan often sought the wisdom, advice and frienship of his good friends Margaret Thatcher British PM and Brian Mulrooney of Canada. His working with other world leaders is something our leaders should seek to restore in the future.
7. On a personal level:
a. Reagan had a deep and abiding love for Nancy! He often alludes to how lonesome and miserable he is when his spouse is out of town. Theirs is one of the truly great love matches in all of Presidential history.
b. Reagan had trouble with his children Ron and Patti (the children by Nancy) getting along better with Maureen his daughter with first wife Jane Wyman, He also had difficulties with his adopted son Michael. (these children had problems and he is not always to blame!).
c. Reagan was a deeply religious man who believed in God. He was a committed Christian believer.
d. Reagan had a great sense of humor; hated to fire staffers and was kind.
e. Reagan loved to go to his California ranch to renew himself following tense and long days in Washington D. C. He was an expert horseman; enjoyed ranch work and sought time to play golf. He was an addict of old Hollywood films. Reagan and Nancy kept up with their old Hollywood friends and were noted for their entertaining skills. Old movies as well as newer films were often screened in their home in California, Camp David and the White House.
f. Reagan gives a great deal of attention in his diaries to his many health problems most notably his recovery from the assassination attempt on his life on March 30, 1981.
g. Reagan worked long and hard as Chief Executive. I was amazed how full a day is for the President! Constant domestic and foreign travel! Difficult political and diplomatic nuts to crack are challenges only a strong person could withstand. Reagan was in his 70s yet was up to the challenge of giving America a strong leader and restoring respect for the United States throughout the world.
Take him all and all.....here was a great leader. Opiniated! Conservative! Old School but nevertheless I am glad he once led the land of the free and home of the brave. His accomplishments are many and profound.
The book may be read with pleasure and insight from cover to cover or browsed through but it is a book which will always demand a secure place in getting into the mindset of Ronald Wilson Reagan.
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Sanford (MSL quote), USA
<2007-10-17 00:00>
Douglas Brinkley has done a masterful job organizing and annotating what have to be one of the best organized diaries of all time. The book is a feather in the cap of Douglas Brinkley, who although he is a democrat, and therefore a surprising choice, appears to have left in place many zings Reagan throws at Carter and other heroes of the liberal side. Clearly, when the godmother of the conservatives, Nancy Reagan, needs an author to separate fact from fiction, quality from mediocrity, she turned to a liberal, not a conservative. Sean Hannity and Oliver North can eat crow.
It is organized by year, 1981, 1982, etc. Of course, some day someone would reorganize the data by themes and topics but that is called a biography and this is certainly not one. For that reason, it does appear to be daunting to read, and at times slow, and it is not a match to 'Reagan In His Own Words.' But it is makes for a better read than any biography of Reagan, and even better than the autobiography of Bill Clinton. The reason may be because it is in his own hand, contemporaneous and personal. In style, it almost feels like Ulysses Grant's autobiography, which proved to be the bestseller of all time (adjusting for inflation) because it is so clearly in first person. The book is also redeeming of Reagan, much like 'Reagan In His Own Words' was. Here was a president who was reputed to be out of it but instead appears to have had memory, knowledge, writing skills and passion. |
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