How Ronald Reagan Changed My Life

By: Peter Robinson

Narrated by: Peter Robinson

Length: 5 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

In 1982, Peter Robinson was hired as a speechwriter in the Reagan White House. One of a core group of writers who became informal experts on Reagan, Robinson absorbed not just the president's politics but his manner and way of carrying himself. And the example Reagan set, as a confident, principled, generous-spirited older man who inspired those around him, molded Robinson just as he was coming into his own. "The longer I studied Ronald Reagan," he says, "the more lessons I learned." At the core of How Ronald Reagan Changed My Life are ten life lessons Robinson learned from Reagan: principles that have guided his own life ever since. Yet it also offers a warm and unforgettable portrait of a great yet ordinary man who touched the individuals around him as surely as he did his millions of admirers around the world. The result is nothing less than a love story, an account of one man's profound respect and affection for the president who changed his life.

©2003 Peter Robinson (P)2003 HarperCollinsPublishers, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Conservatives, exult! Robinson's self-help/memoir/Reagan hagiography is an All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten for right-wingers." (Publishers Weekly)
"The best portrait of Reagan this side of the Reagan library." (William F. Buckley, Jr.)

Great Book

Found this book interesting and I was really enjoyed it. Reliving the Presidency of Ronald Reagan brought back some good memories of the last great American President

Great Listen!

A heartwarming and often times touching first hand account of the events during the Regan Presidency. I especially appreciated the little stories that never made it into the news. I found myself laughing at Regan's favorite jokes and crying during President Regan's final battle with Alzheimers. Easy to listen to if you use a Garmin GPS while driving (like me) and I appreciated the author reading his own book. He's a very good writer. No wonder why Regan had him on his staff.
Joe Cannon

A Pleasure

I had to smile a lot as I listened. The author can both write well and narrate well, and his focus is just right: He focuses on himself only enough to set up this outstanding new portrait of RR. There is a warm lightness to this book, and I learned from it as I enjoyed. A wonderful book! Top tier!

Fantastic!

If you could sum up How Ronald Reagan Changed My Life in three words, what would they be?

Great Leadership Lessons

What was the most compelling aspect of this narrative?

Getting a behind the scenes look into Reagan's personality and leadership style and how he applied those to shaping world events.

Which character – as performed by Peter Robinson – was your favorite?

Reagan

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes - throughout - see below.

Any additional comments?

This was one of the most enjoyable books I've read in a long time.  
Not a memoir, but, as the author puts it, a primer - a primer on the leadership principles and personal qualities of one of the greatest American presidents of our time.  Peter Robinson answers the question ' How did Ronald Reagan Do It? - how did a man with humble origins and no formal education in law or politics set America on one of the most prosperous  tracks in our modern history, while bringing down the once feared Soviet Union?  The answers are explained through a first-hand account of seeing the president in action as one of his speech writers, and, in each chapter, the author explained how he applied those same lessons in his own life.  

I found the book enriching.  After each chapter, I felt that I had a rare glimpse of 'seeing' the president in action, as Robinson expertly narrates various political or personal events the president encountered, and then how the president reacted, what he said, etc.  The result was a very touching personal account with enduring lessons on not only leadership, but how to live your life.  I absolutely loved this book!!

Thank you Peter Robinson!

It is a privilege to hear your book. Being a person who was born and grew up in China, I was a student at Tiananmen in 1989. Ronald Reagan was the star and source of inspiration. Now being a naturalized citizen, I can’t be prouder of being called a citizen of a country where Ronald Reagan was born, became a President and made a profound impact on countless lives including myself. Thank you for sharing Peter Robinson. I trust your father is very proud of you for what you did and do. America is great because there are so many good people like your father, Ronald Reagan and yourself. I pray for America everyday to return to its glorious roots and proud heritage.

Great insight into a great man

Unlike Desmond Morris, who was puzzled and perplexed by Ronald Reagan, Peter Robinson understood that Reagan was a man of faith that deeply believed in his destiny and the goodness of the average American. A great book.

This book is amazing!!

This book is not about Reagan and his policies but it is how the man, Ronald Reagan affected his life's views. This book was much more then I ever thought it would be.

Beautiful story & Great narration!

After hearing and reading a number of biographical, as well as autobiographical books about Ronald Reagan... in my opinion, this book was in the very top 5 of the list.
The heart and soul of this book, as well as the craftsmanship of the writing, created an inspiring and touching portrayal of the blossoming of a life well lived. This influence of Ronald Reagan’s life to inspire and transform other lives, including the life of the author, continues to have a ripple effect on individuals as well as upon the world, like tossing a pebble into a pond.
As disturbing as current affairs are throughout the world, it would be difficult to calculate where we would be if Ronald Reagan had not lived.

Instructive, Heartwarming, and Fun

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

I would recommend this audiobook, because the information covered is fascinating, funny and at all times valuable. Learning lessons about life from a first hand viewing of President Reagan's attitude and behavior is a unique and worthy study.

What about Peter Robinson’s performance did you like?

Peter Robinson is a professional interviewer, and reads his own material with a voice that never gets tiring, is always clear, and yet doesn't go over into stage performance. The inclusion of recordings of Reagan himself is a wonderful addition that the audiobook provides.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Very much so.