Product Description

The popularity of great Americans frequently simmers before it boils, but the nation's 40th President heard the kettle whistling from early in his administration. Ronald Reagan came to office in 1981 determined to face head-on foes of the great American experiment. He departed in 1989 adored by millions of fellow citizens and admired even by political adversaries.
Join Jay Stephen Whitney in this look at the life and work of Ronald Wilson Reagan through nearly 200 large-format photographs, with introductions and captions by the author, from Reagan's infancy in 1911 through his youth, his career in television and film, the governorship of California, and his rise to the presidency. Discover why the legacy of President Reagan continues to gather momentum twenty years after the Great Communicator left the Oval Office.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #886882 in Books
• Published on: 2008-09-12
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 216 pages

About the Author
Jay Stephen Whitney began his publishing career as a teenage intern reporter at Athol Daily News in his native Massachusetts, the highlight of which was covering a re-election campaign stop of Senator Edward W. Brooke. Whitney earned a degree in communication at DePauw University, working on Senator Richard G. Lugar's 1976 campaign during that time. He studied law at Western New England College where he met his wife, Cathy Okrent, an attorney and author.
An award-winning senior editor at Thomson spanning three decades, Whitney has published hundreds of best-selling titles in law, criminal justice, sociology, and education. Now Whitney joins authors Stacy A. Cordery, Matthew Gilmore, Larry Johnson, and Dana Lombardy in Turner Publishing s historic photos series featuring presidents Ronald Reagan, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Whitney lives near the Ronald Reagan Library and Museum in Ventura County, California, with his wife and daughters, Diana and Lisa.

Customer Reviews

Historic Photos of Ronald Reagan - Masterfully Assembled Collection of Images and Commentary
Ronald Reagan entered the White House while I was still in high school and this extraordinary collection of historic photos and wonderful captions truly rekindled thoughts and feelings I had during that time.

When I first picked up the book I thought I would thumb through and do a quick glance of the material. But that was not to be. Every page was very moving to me bringing Ronald Reagan back to life with each and every image. The facial expressions captured in these photos revived the feelings of strength and passion our 40th President had for this country.

The author has obviously taken great care in assembling this collection. There are serious moments, playful moments, and the everyday moments that connected Ronald Reagan to the people and made him the iconic leader that he will forever be.

I did not put the book down until I finished reading the captions on every page. I was truly impressed with all of the historic commentary and discovered many new things about this great man.

Democrat or Republican - I highly recommend this book.

Jeff Bennett
Charlotte, North Carolina

A great addition to Turner Publishing's Historic Photos book series
Like many Americans, I suppose, I came aware politically when I was in high school - during the Carter malaise. Stagflation, unemployment, embarrassment abroad, etc., I remember it well. And then came Ronald Reagan - Ronaldus Magnus, the Gipper - it was a new day in America. Ah, so much water under the bridge.

But, this book brings it all back. The author, Jay Stephen Whitney, did an excellent job of collecting many wonderful, crystal-clear black-and-white photos of Ronald Reagan from his youth, through his Hollywood days, the governorship of California, the U.S. Presidency, and on to his legacy. Along with the pictures are highly informative captions and text that succeeds in telling the story of Mr. Reagan in a succinct and interesting manner.

I have a number of Turner Publishing's Historic Photos books, and each one has impressed me with its excellent quality. This book is no exception. I think that the author did a great job of presenting the life of a great man in a short space, through the wise use of high quality photos and high quality text.

This is a great addition to Turner Publishing's Historic Photos book series, and will be a much appreciated addition to the library of any Ronald Reagan fan. Three cheers for Turner Publishing!

Very highly recommended reading -- especially for those who remember his presidency
Some leaders are memorialized by their actions, popularity, or discoveries. Ronald Reagan became a beloved president to many and is still widely referenced today as a great leader of his time. In this tasteful account of Ronald Reagan's life with text and captions by Jay Stephen Whitney, readers will discover the intimate details of one man's transformational journey from citizen and actor, to governor of California and a two-term president of the United States. Historic photos of Ronald Reagan's life from infancy until the time he left the oval office, this illustrated biographical overview is embellished with the memorable rhetoric of an influential political leader. A core addition for academic and community library 20th Century American History collections, "Historic Photos of Ronald Reagan" is very highly recommended reading -- especially for those who remember his presidency and the influence this one-time Hollywood actor had upon the nation and upon the world.