Product Description

A photo essay on the life and times of America's 40th President. "He did not adjust his beliefs to conform to prevailing political winds.... Instead he spoke directly from his heart to the hearts and minds of the American people. And, in doing so, he initiated the greatest love affair between an American President and his constituents in recent history." -- Frederick J. Ryan, Jr., chairman of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation Even before he made the White House his home, Ronald Reagan spoke for the American people, capturing the hearts of small-town citizens and world leaders alike. His remarkable career in public life, spanning over fifty years, began in the Midwest, as a student leader and sports broadcaster, then in Hollywood as an actor and long-time director of the Screen Actors Guild, later as governor of California, and finally, as president of the United States. His legacy, too, is extraordinary: In the eight short years as president, Ronald Reagan presided over epochal international changes and ushered in unparalleled peace and prosperity--not only to his country but the world. Ronald Reagan: An American Hero is the story of Ronald Reagan's trials and triumphs, the story of his character and vision and values. It's the love story of a man for his wife, his country, and the world--the story of his unquenchable passion for liberty and life itself. Over 500 archival and full-color images, including many never-before-published photographs from Nancy Reagan's private collection and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, chronicle the milestones of America's fortieth president. Punctuating this visual history are close to 200 quotes from world leaders, actors, journalists, family, and friends who bear testimony to the greatness of the man who, for millions, has become an enduring American hero.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #865961 in Books
• Published on: 2001-07-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 272 pages

Amazon.com
This loving, even worshipful, tribute to America's 40th president is a visually stunning work of art. Packed with over 500 photographs, many previously unreleased from Nancy Reagan's private collection, memorabilia, magazine covers on which he appeared, and even his belt buckle collection, this is a fitting celebration of a man who touched people around the world. There are brief remarks written by Mrs. Reagan and William F. Buckley Jr., as well as short essays on key points in Reagan's life, but the focus is on the images. And what images they are! Whether wading into a crowd wearing his trademark grin or giving a speech at the Berlin Wall, the man's charm and grace are clearly evident in these photographs. In looking them over, it appears that no one can stand near him without smiling.

"Not since Lincoln, or Winston Churchill in Britain, has there been a president who has so understood the power of words to uplift and inspire," Margaret Thatcher, prime minister of Great Britain at the time, said of Reagan. Appropriately, this book highlights dozens of quotes for which Reagan is fondly remembered, including the humorous and self-deprecating quips such as "I consider all proposals for government action with an open mind before voting 'no'" and "It's true hard work never killed anybody, but I figure why take the chance." In addition, over 200 quotes from a range of world leaders, cabinet members, journalists, family, and friends speak to the man's character and vision and bear testimony to why he was one of the most beloved American presidents of the 20th century. --Shawn Carkonen

Billy Graham
Beautiful.... You will find it almost impossible to put down!

Review
Beautiful.... You will find it almost impossible to put down! (Billy Graham) This books truly captures the spirit of [a] great man, our beloved President Reagan (Elizabeth Dole, former secretary of transportation, president of the American Red Cross) To open this book at any page is to meet an old friend radiating the vigor and hope with which he infused the nation. The book is as big and colorful and stirring as the life it celebrates. (George Will, Washington Post) A fine tribute to the greatest American president of modern times. It will be treasured by all Ronnie's friends and countless admirers. (Lady Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of Great Britain) A pictorial masterpiece. (Larry King, CNN's Larry King Live) A handsome new book... (Daily Oklahoman)

Customer Reviews

A hero for whom?
What does it say about the gestalt of America that this man could have remotely been considered a hero? Are we truly so blind, so lulled into bovine somnabulance that we can't separate myth from true heroism? Every GI in harm's way right now in the killing fields of Iraq has more heroism in his or her pinky than this first figurehead puppet of the Neocon death cult ever had.

Beautiful tribute to the greatest US president of the 20th Century
What can I say? This is the book that the Gipper deserved. The respect and affection for the man is obvious on every page. The pictures are gorgeous. Reagan was certainly the most handsome of American presidents. Everyone will have their own favorites. Mine are (pg. 216): Ron in his leather flight jacket giving an affectionate kiss on the cheek to Margaret Thatcher upon her arrival at Camp David; and (pg. 224): Ron and Nancy walking along a road at Camp David during a gentle snowfall . . . Nancy walking a little dog wearing a red sweater and Ron playfully chucking a snowball. Any fan of the Gipper would love this book.

Magnificent tribute in words and pictures

This magnificent tribute to Ronald Reagan is introduced by William Buckley Jnr and contains a foreword by Nancy Reagan. It recounts the story of this beloved leader's trials and triumphs in over 500 splendid black and white and full-color photographs of people, places, events and memorabilia.

The section An Emerging Voice deals with the years 1911 to 1932: From Dixon to the Gridiron. There are pics of Reagan as a baby, the Reagans' first home in Dixon and Reagan as a handsome youth and attractive young man.

An Aspiring Voice 1932 to 1954: Always The Performer covers the Hollywood years, his time as a broadcaster and as an actor. It includes a double page spread of movie posters from 1937 to 1964.

His years as governor of California are covered in A Voice For California 1954 to 1980: The Citizen-Politician and includes reproductions of fascinating political billboards, posters and buttons.

A Voice For America 1981 to 1984: Casting A New Vision deals with the presidential years and contains reproductions of amusing cartoons and magazine and newspaper covers. My favorite photograph here is the one of Reagan dancing with Princess Diana.

A Voice For The World 1985 to 1988: Triumph Over Evil contains many pics of world leaders, including a poignant one of Ronnie kissing Maggie. This section also contains covers of magazines like Time, Newsweek, Life, National Review and many others.

An Enduring Voice 1989 to present: A Legacy For Tomorrow deals with the twilight years and his legacy, including the presidential library. It also includes a reproduction of Reagan's handwritten note to the nation announcing his illness.

The impressive visual history chronicled in these photographs is elucidated by the captivating text and about 200 quotes from world leaders, actors, journalists, family and friends.

The book is a stunning work of devotional art that may be opened at any page to find inspiration from the life of this great leader who revived America and whose vision led to the liberation of millions of people.

I also recommend the 5-CD set Speaking My Mind: Selected Speeches With Personal Reflections, and the books When Character Was King by Peggy Noonan and Ronald Reagan: How An Ordinary Man Became An Extraordinary Leader by Dinesh D'Souza.