Status
Available
Call number
Collections
Publication
Harper (2007), Edition: First Edition, Hardcover, 784 pages
Description
During his two terms as the fortieth president of the United States, Ronald Reagan kept a daily diary in which he recorded, by hand, his innermost thoughts and observations on the extraordinary, the historic, and the routine day-to-day occurrences of his presidency. Whether he was in his White House residence study or aboard Air Force One, from his first inauguration to the end of the Cold War, each night Reagan wrote about the events of his day. Now, nearly two decades after he left office, this record--the only daily presidential diary in American history--is available for the first time. Brought together in one volume and edited by historian Douglas Brinkley, The Reagan Diaries provide insight into one of this nation's most important presidencies and sheds new light on the character of a true American leader.--From publisher description.… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member maquisleader
An inside look at a good man. Remembering history from an older view point made it even more interesting. His fights against taxes and to bring down the interest rates and put people to work really take on a new light from his diary entries.
LibraryThing member SCRH
I'm ashamed at how long it took me to read the book, but I've found diaries are generally difficult to read. Each day is pretty much a story unto itself and is the nature of a diary. At the same time, I enjoyed the book and learned a great deal.
I read once that someone wondered how an actor could
Throughout the diaries, Reagan manifested the training and experience he had as an actor in a positive way. He seemed to forever mindful and respectful of his audience, whether it be before TV cameras, a large live audience, or in a one on one meeting. He almost always commented on how he perceived others thought he did.
His diary reads as if he were speaking to me in person and always reflected genuine sincerity.
One of the reasons I wanted to read the book (in addition to the fact that it was a gift!) is that Reagan is one of but three Presidents who was baptized into a Disciples of Christ church. His Alma Mater, Eureka College (founded as, and is yet to this day, a Disciples of Christ school), is mentioned many times, and always in a positive way. He remained proud of and loyal to Eureka College throughout his entire life.
The jury remains out as to where Reagan will rank among US Presidents. Persons interested in US history, and particularly in US Presidents, are surely to be well-served by reading the book. I am glad I read it, even though it took me much longer to finish than it should have.
The book includes a number of beautiful photos, has a helpful glossary of many characters named, and is well indexed.
I read once that someone wondered how an actor could
Show More
become the President of the greatest nation on earth. Regan mused how anyone could be President without being an actor. He put life's experiences to good use as President.Throughout the diaries, Reagan manifested the training and experience he had as an actor in a positive way. He seemed to forever mindful and respectful of his audience, whether it be before TV cameras, a large live audience, or in a one on one meeting. He almost always commented on how he perceived others thought he did.
His diary reads as if he were speaking to me in person and always reflected genuine sincerity.
One of the reasons I wanted to read the book (in addition to the fact that it was a gift!) is that Reagan is one of but three Presidents who was baptized into a Disciples of Christ church. His Alma Mater, Eureka College (founded as, and is yet to this day, a Disciples of Christ school), is mentioned many times, and always in a positive way. He remained proud of and loyal to Eureka College throughout his entire life.
The jury remains out as to where Reagan will rank among US Presidents. Persons interested in US history, and particularly in US Presidents, are surely to be well-served by reading the book. I am glad I read it, even though it took me much longer to finish than it should have.
The book includes a number of beautiful photos, has a helpful glossary of many characters named, and is well indexed.
Show Less
LibraryThing member HadriantheBlind
Interesting historical record of events of the 80s and of the presidency itself. It is obviously a very strenuous job. Also good insight into Reagan himself - important man, whether you agree or disagree with him.
LibraryThing member gmicksmith
The work allows an inside look into the mind of a president which is uncommon enough. Only four presidents have done so: Washington, John Quincy Adams, James K. Polk, and Rutherford B. Hayes. Reagan then easily becomes the second most important president to do so and is one of the most significant
The personal Reagan truly emerges: patriotic, humorous, charitable and kind, dedicated to Nancy, health-conscious, politically alert, and interestingly enough, very prone to frequent haircuts. Reagan enjoyed old movies, the company of friends, and loved horses and his ranch.
Show More
presidents ever. It is an invaluable insider's look behind the Oval Office.The personal Reagan truly emerges: patriotic, humorous, charitable and kind, dedicated to Nancy, health-conscious, politically alert, and interestingly enough, very prone to frequent haircuts. Reagan enjoyed old movies, the company of friends, and loved horses and his ranch.
Show Less
LibraryThing member utbw42
A fantastic collection of the thoughts of arguably our greatest president in modern times. I was amazed at the difference, in every aspect, of what this man stood for and how he approached his job and what we currently have going on in Washington, D.C. It took me a while to read this because the
Show More
diary entries were fairly chopped up and abbreviated in places, but it was definitely worth the read. I recommend this for anyone who appreciates what we once had in this country. Show Less
LibraryThing member buffalogr
The book is an edited version of the daily diaries Reagan kept while he was president. They're short bullet entries. There are quite a few missed days; I guess that the editor did not believe them germane. The book showed the life of the most powerful person on the planet. His devotion to Nancy is
Show More
remarkable. I was impressed at his response to the liberal press of the time--he seemed to hold no animosity, but rather viewed it as a contest: "I won that round" says he. Further, he seems to know when he had an impact with people...or not...and commented on same. His ups and downs with the Soviets show raw emotion and dedication to the people of both nations. The book shows that the RR who spoke to us on TV was for real. Show Less
LibraryThing member BunnyCates
**NOTE**
Ok, so I was already teary eyed when I got the RAK because that is so sweet. And I tried reallly hard to not open them yet so I could do it on camera. But I couldnt. This has been on my wishlist since it CAME OUT! I totally cried a little just now. Such an awesome RAK. I love it so much! I
Ok, so I was already teary eyed when I got the RAK because that is so sweet. And I tried reallly hard to not open them yet so I could do it on camera. But I couldnt. This has been on my wishlist since it CAME OUT! I totally cried a little just now. Such an awesome RAK. I love it so much! I
Show More
feel so blessed for all of my internet friends, I am just beside myself. Show Less
LibraryThing member KatKealy
Maybe if I'd kept reading longer I would have gotten into this book, but it was just so unbelievably dull and boring... It's one of the few books I gave up on. I read quickly, but there are so many books I'd rather be reading.
LibraryThing member JennysBookBag.com
I'm not typically into politics or biographies, but I have to admit, I loved this.
LibraryThing member tuckerresearch
4.5 out of 5 stars, as you might find it a boring slog through a person's not that all revealing day planner/diary.
A judicious and nice selection of Ronald Reagan's diary entries from his time in office. These are mainly just a rehashing of everything he did on a particular day, but sometimes there
A judicious and nice selection of Ronald Reagan's diary entries from his time in office. These are mainly just a rehashing of everything he did on a particular day, but sometimes there
Show More
is some analysis and oftentimes seeing what information is crossing Reagan's desk is helpful in realizing what is going on in his thinking and his administration. Case in point, when you realize that from the very beginning, 1981, evidence is crossing Reagan's desk that the communists in Cuba and in the Soviet Union are providing weapons and other supplies to the communists in Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Honduras, you realize why Reagan was so gung-ho about covert operations in the area and aid to the Contras. Without that bit of context, and liberal writers and professor often fail to mention Soviet/Castro money in these countries, it seems as if America is the only nation doing the "meddling" in Central America. well, no, they weren't. Also, you realize that Reagan was (p. 345) concerned about AIDS early on (liberals to this day want to "blame" Reagan for AIDS, for some reason) and that he (p. 434) was starting to not remember things in 1986, and it baffled him. You learn, as every Reaganite already knows, that he (a) really loved Nancy, (b) his children Ron and Patti are ungrateful ne'er-do-wells, and (c) Reagan was never the simple, smiling, dunce liberals believed then and still believe now. All-in-all, good if you can get cheap, especially as you can read the diary entries online now. Good intro, nice photographs, good glossary and index. Show Less
Subjects
ISBN
006087600X / 9780060876005