I admit before writing this review that if one were to ask my opinion of who were the greatest presidents in U.S. History... I would say George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Ronald Reagan.
Those younger than myself may not remember the turmoil of the 1970s and that feeling in the country that America was entering the 1980s on the cusp of losing its' greatness. There was a reason that during this time the original "preppers" movement began.
However, something happened (or should I say "someone") to change all of that. Ronald Reagan was elected president to the great astonishment of many in politics.
There have been many books written about Reagan, two of them by the author of this book, Craig Shirley. However, I cannot recall any other book (or in depth article) written about those years after Reagan left office. Those are the years covered in Last Act.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading the details of Reagan's years after leaving the Presidency, how Nancy and other family members dealt with his Alzheimer, the events surrounding his State funeral, and most of all... how his legacy is being fulfilled. For even his haters had to later admit (or most of them were honest) that he had been the right man for the job at that time. It is full of stories that take us behind the scenes of all the important events.
This books reads like a very interesting novel and it is apparent the author has quite an affection for the former president. I liked that. Some biographers are simply writing about their subject... I felt Mr. Shirley was writing about his old friend.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to know more about Ronald Reagan or simply is interested in that time of our history as a nation. You will enjoy the reading.
This book was provided by the publisher for review but the opinions are my own.
Further information can be found at Amazon.com... here.*
*Most links to Amazon.com are Associate links.
7 comments:
Ronald Reagan was the first President I ever voted for! There is only one other man that I voted for with the same confidence. I enjoyed his views of American Exceptionalism, his sense of humor, his love for his wife.
I will pick up this book to read. I love biographies and behind the scenes views.
Deanna
Thank you for this review. I would not want to read a biography of President Reagan by anyone other than a friend. That's how much he means to me and John. John actually affectionately calls him "Uncle Ronny." I am going directly to Amazon to put this on my wish list.
Our son-in-laws is such an admirer of President Reagan, that our granddaughter is named Reagan. Her middle name is Cash, yes, he's also a fan of Johnny Cash!
I must respectively disagree. For someone who frequently describes a life of precarious living often relying on food pantries and the goodwill of family to keep going, I'm rather surprised at your worship of the late President Reagan. His time in office was the start of a widening gap between rich and poor and laid the groundwork for the disaster of mortgage and banking fraud. Or do you feel that you're part of the deserving poor rather than the undeserving poor?
Dear Brenda, thank you for recommendation. I admire Ronald Reagan also along with Winston Churchill and Teddy Roosevelt. I am sorry you have to deal with rude comments but please know you touch the lives of many, many people with your encouragement and lovely writing. Your words have helped me through some tough times and I am very grateful for you and this beautiful place you have created in a harsh world.
Blessings, Dee
I must "respectfully" disagree with anonymous. (and yes, that is the proper use of the word.....NOT "respectively"). It's okay to disagree with someone's opinion of a book, a person, an idea, etc. What is not very nice is to make a snarky remark about a person's circumstances with absolutely no knowledge of the life they live. Your comments were rude and offensive and have no place here. It was generous of Miss Brenda to post them. I doubt I would have been as accomodating.
clark and i visited the Reagan Library a couple years ago. we planned to spend most of the day there and ended up spending the entire day! it's a wonderful tribute to this great man who was wholly devoted to this amazing republic known as the USofA. thanks for the link - this may be another perfect book for us to read together in January. :)
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