The Crusader

Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism

De: Paul Kengor

Narrado por: John Pruden

Based on extraordinary research, here is a major reassessment of Ronald Reagan's lifelong crusade to dismantle the Soviet Empire, including shocking revelations about the liberal American politician who tried to collude with the USSR to counter Reagan's efforts.

God and Ronald Reagan made presidential historian Paul Kengor's name as one of the premier chroniclers of the life and career of the 40th president. With The Crusader, Kengor returns with the one book about Reagan that has not been written: the story of his lifelong crusade against communism and of his dogged and ultimately triumphant effort to overthrow the Soviet Union.

Drawing upon reams of newly declassified presidential papers as well as untapped Soviet media archives and new interviews with key players, Kengor traces Reagan's efforts to target the Soviet Union from his days as governor of California to the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of what he famously dubbed the "Evil Empire". The result is a major revision and enhancement of what historians are only beginning to realize: that Reagan not only wished for the collapse of communism but had a deep and specific understanding of what it would take and effected dozens of policy shifts that brought the USSR to its heels within a decade of his presidency.

The Crusader makes use of key sources from behind the Iron Curtain, including one key memo that implicates a major American liberal politician in a scheme to enlist Soviet premier Yuri Andropov to help defeat Reagan's 1984 reelection bid. Such new finds make The Crusader not just a work of extraordinary history but a work of explosive revelation that will be debated as hotly in 2006 as Reagan's policies were in the 1980s.

©2006 Paul Kengor (P)2011 HarperCollins Publishers

Great listen

This is a great story, gives a lot of details about the 40th president. Well researched and very interesting

Outstanding book! I highly recommend!

This well written book perfectly depicts, the outstanding actions and dedication of President Ronald Reagan!

Holy Smokes!!

Fantastic read, highly interesting! Why wasn’t I taught this in school? Real underdog story, taking on a monumental task with very interesting details how it all worked!

A gem for those that know little of Reagan's legacy, and enjoy learning that leads to a paradigmatic shift.

I was ignorant of Ronald Reagan's legitimate impact on history prior to reading this book. This book literally changed the way I judge anyone. We truly never know the intentions of others and would all be better admitting that and seeking to learn before opening our own mouths with gross assumptions and cynicism. I am changed from indifference to a passionate fan of Ronald Reagan, The Crusader.

Great research from Paul Kengor

What made the experience of listening to The Crusader the most enjoyable?

Learning about newly released documents that had been previously classified has added so much to the depth of our understanding of importance of Reagan's place in history.

What other book might you compare The Crusader to and why?

The Communist by Kengor. The story of Obama's "Frank". Flip side of the coin.

Whether you like Reagan or not....

Whether you like Reagan or not, you will miss him after reading this book, especially when considering the state of affairs today.

Essential Reagan

Excellent review of one of America's greatest presidents who lifted us from the cold war threat of nuclear conflict with the evil (socialist) empire, USSR. Great narration, easy listening.

Fits the movie perfectly

This covers in detail how the President ended the Cold War and the complex relationship between Russia and the United States and for some reason the author made it interesting and intelligible.

Excellent, timeless.

Very straightforward well supported telling of a clear case of God providing the world with the right man at the right time. Few have had the courage and clarity of vision that Ronald Reagan did. Fewer still have had the opportunities to act in such a beneficial way to millions he would never meet.

Absolutely great book!!!

Loved it, as an exiled Cuban that lost his homeland to communism, this was a tremendous read about our 40th president's influence on the downfall of communism in the USSR and the breakup of the "Evil Empire."