Reagan

An American Journey

By: Bob Spitz

Narrated by: Paul Michael

Length: 32 hrs and 29 mins

Publisher's summary

From New York Times best-selling biographer Bob Spitz, a full and rich biography of an epic American life, capturing what made Ronald Reagan both so beloved and so transformational.

More than five years in the making, based on hundreds of interviews and access to previously unavailable documents, and infused with irresistible storytelling charm, Bob Spitz's Reagan stands fair to be the first truly post-partisan biography of our 40th president, and thus a balm for our own bitterly divided times.

It is the quintessential American triumph, brought to life with cinematic vividness: A young man is born into poverty and raised in a series of flyspeck towns in the Midwest by a pious mother and a reckless, alcoholic, largely absent father. Severely near-sighted, the boy lives in his own world, a world of the popular books of the day, and finds his first brush with popularity, even fame, as a young lifeguard. Thanks to his first great love, he imagines a way out, and makes the extraordinary leap to go to college, a modest school by national standards, but an audacious presumption in the context of his family's station. From there, the path is only very dimly lit, but it leads him, thanks to his great charm and greater luck, to a solid career as a radio sportscaster, and then, astonishingly, fatefully, to Hollywood. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Bob Spitz's Reagan is an absorbing, richly detailed, even revelatory chronicle of the full arc of Ronald Reagan's epic life - giving full weight to the Hollywood years, his transition to politics, and rocky, but ultimately successful, run as California governor, and ultimately, of course, his iconic presidency, filled with storm and stress but climaxing with his peace talks with the Soviet Union that would serve as his greatest legacy. It is filled with fresh assessments and shrewd judgments and doesn't flinch from a full reckoning with the man's strengths and limitations. This is no hagiography: Reagan was never a brilliant student of anything, and his disinterest in hard-nosed political scheming, while admirable, meant that this side of things was left to the other people in his orbit, not least his wife, Nancy; sometimes this delegation could lead to chaos and worse. But what emerges as a powerful signal through all the noise is an honest inherent sweetness, a gentleness of nature and willingness to see the good in people and in this country, that proved to be a tonic for America in his time and still is in ours. Created with love and irony, which in a great biography is arguably the same thing, Bob Spitz's masterpiece will give no comfort to partisans at either extreme; for the rest of us, it is cause for celebration.

©2018 Bob Spitz (P)2018 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“A significant contribution to the Reagan literature.” (The National Review)

“This comprehensive examination of America’s 40th president represents presidential biography at its best. Noted biographer Bob Spitz (previous subjects have included The Beatles and Julia Child) researches like a historian, writes like a novelist, does the hard work of providing ample and intelligent context, and remains able to take an evenhanded approach to his subject.” (Christian Science Monitor, 10 Best Books of October)

“Publication of Bob Spitz’s massive biography of Ronald Reagan couldn’t have been more timely… a significant marker against which to measure our current politics and political leadership.” (LA Times)

Great book

Terrific audio book about a great man. One of the best books I’ve ever listened to. Highly recommend!!

Complete and endearing

More information than I ever remembered or knew. Delightful and very well written and read. I will listen to this again

Morning in America

Ronald Reagan may be the most important president since FDR. As the author correctly summarizes at the end of the book, he effectively ended The Cold War, reduced the top marginal tax rate from 70% to a reasonable level, and reduced the nuclear weapon threat.
After the JFK assassination, the USA endured LBJ’s Vietnam War, Nixon’s Watergate, and Carter’s stagflation. Communism seemed to be winning everywhere. The White House seemed to have no answers except retreat.
Reagan changed all of that. The spread of communism was stopped and the changes toward freedom were beginning to take shape. The long term economic slide was reversed. Americans were proud of their country again.
If one of his opponents had been elected, the US might not have had the leader we needed to help Gorbachev implement reform effectively.
The author mentions all of this, yet focuses on the negative aspects of Reagan’s presidency. He ignores the impact Reagan had on the world. He credits Reagan’s moral stance to wistful Hollywood fantasy instead of crediting the love Reagan had for mankind.
Reagan’s communication skills were his superpower. His choice of capable advisors was his key to success. His optimism was the key to his effective leadership.
Yes, this book is worth reading. However, be mindful that the author accentuates the negative and misses the incredible impact of Reagan’s presidency on the USA and the world.

Like a novel

A terrific listen - the author keeps it interesting as well as fair, with an honest assessment of Reagan’s strengths and weaknesses. The narrator is a perfect choice, with the kind of straightforward, aw shucks delivery that fits the subject like a glove. Thoroughly enjoyable, even for someone like me who can remember almost every major event and issue discussed.

OVERALL, A GOOD JOB...

I was a little disappointed in much of the writing on President Reagan, from his Governorship throughout the rest of his life. I got the impression that the DNC largely wrote that part. Enjoyed the depth of Reagan's early years, but felt more could have been told about his time as Governor of California, his radio commentaries, the 1976 and 1980 Elections, and more positive things about his Presidency, such as bringing back the pride of the US Military. Writer has earned a B+ to an A-, at best.

One of the greatest presidents in history

Fantastic writing and performance. Wanted more, despite how long it was. Not the most unbiased position from the author however; a bit hard on Reagan, imo.

Well Balanced!

Credit is given where it’s due as well as criticism. Well written and well read.

32 Hours and I Still Want More

One of the best listens ever. Just a magnificent, epic story. Love him or hate him, you've got to admire Ronald Reagan's journey. The author never gets in the way of the story, just presents the facts and the timeline. Staggering all along the way.

Informative yet heartfelt!

Facts and personality conveyed throughout. I found it intriguing and endearing. Recommend it to all!

Excellent, flowing story

What an excellent President, and quite a balanced biography. The narrator is very good, and the story flows. I highly recommend it.