A Pope and a President

John Paul II, Ronald Reagan, and the Extraordinary Untold Story of the 20th Century

By: Paul Kengor

Narrated by: James Anderson Foster

Even as historians credit Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II with hastening the end of the Cold War, they have failed to recognize the depth or significance of the bond that developed between the two leaders.

Acclaimed scholar and best-selling author Paul Kengor changes that. In this fascinating book, he reveals a singular bond - which included a spiritual connection between the Catholic pope and the Protestant president - that drove the two men to confront what they knew to be the great evil of the 20th century: Soviet communism.

Reagan and John Paul II almost didn't have the opportunity to forge this relationship: just six weeks apart in the spring of 1981, they took bullets from would-be assassins. But their strikingly similar near-death experiences brought them close together - to Moscow's dismay.

A Pope and a President is the product of years of research. Based on Kengor's tireless archival digging and his unique access to Reagan insiders, this book reveals captivating new details on a relationship that changed history.

©2017 Paul Kengor (P)2017 Tantor

Critic reviews

"No Reagan biographer or scholar knows Ronald Reagan and conservatism like Paul Kengor." (Michael Reagan)

This is the best book I have ever read about Reagan.

I loved it so much I bought it in print and in audio. It is something I can read over and over again and still not tire of. I highly recommend this book.

Definitely one of the BEST

I started reading this book a few months ago, and took a pause after a few chapters.

Now, with my Christmas break, I devoured this tome.

As lover of WELL RESEARCHED masterpieces this door-stopper is well worth a read.

Hats off to the author!

Amazing!!

Such an inspiring and interesting read!! I couldn't stop and didn't want it to end.

Informative and inspiring

I was Born in Poland in 1968 thus I know many details of the book first hand but only from the polish point of view. The canvas on which the book is written is very broad and researched in details. I was amazed to learned all the facts regarding other Eastern European countries, 20-century papacy and Reagan. The connections the author makes between the historical facts and the Divine interventions are amazing. In the end I find myself deeply moved and inspired. I recommend this book to any Pole especially to those who think they know the story.

It is LOOONG, but worth it

This book goes into quite a bit of depth about the relationship between the 2 men in the title. It was truly interesting to see how much they worked together, and how each played a role in toppling the Soviet Union. It gets a bit too much into Catholic mysticism, but, as the writer points out, you have to understand some of that to truly understand what made the Pope tick. Overall it is very informative. #History #InternationaRelations #ColdWar #tagsgiving #sweepstakes