An American Life

by Ronald Reagan

In this remarkable autobiography, Ronald Reagan presents a definitive personal account of his historic presidency. With uncompromising candor, modesty, and wit, he tells the story of his life, public and private, and reveals the events that shaped his reluctant candidacy and the decision-making process that led to his first nomination; the unseen dangers of Gorbachev's first visit to America; startling facts about top-secret meetings involving heads of state; his frustrations with Congress; and his relationships with the members of his cabinet.

Here are the behind-the-scenes details of the great themes and dramatic crises marking Reagan's eight years in office, from Lebanon to Grenada, from the struggle to achieve arms control to tax reform, and his unprecedented personal diplomacy with major foreign leaders. His narrative is full of new insights and often surprising revelations regarding his innermost feelings about life in the White House, the assassination attempt, his family and the enduring love between him and his wife Nancy.

An American Life is an inspiring American success story, a brilliant self-portrait, and a compelling and significant work of history.

Genres: Biography, History, Politics, Nonfiction, Presidents, Autobiography, American History

752 pages, Paperback

First published November 15, 1990

About the author

Ronald Wilson Reagan was an American politician and actor who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. He was a member of the Republican Party and became an important figure in the American conservative movement. His presidency is known as the Reagan era.
Born in Illinois, Reagan graduated from Eureka College in 1932 and was hired the next year as a sports broadcaster in Iowa. In 1937, he moved to California where he became a well-known film actor. During his acting career, Reagan was president of the Screen Actors Guild twice, from 1947 to 1952 and from 1959 to 1960. In the 1950s, he hosted General Electric Theater and worked as a motivational speaker for General Electric. Reagan's "A Time for Choosing" speech during the 1964 presidential election launched his rise as a leading conservative figure. After being elected governor of California in 1966, he raised state taxes, turned the state budget deficit into a surplus and implemented harsh crackdowns on university protests. Following his loss to Gerald Ford in the 1976 Republican Party presidential primaries, Reagan won the Republican Party's nomination and then a landslide victory over President Jimmy Carter in the 1980 presidential election.
In his first term as president, Reagan began implementing "Reaganomics", which involved economic deregulation and cuts in both taxes and government spending during a period of stagflation. On the world stage, he escalated the arms race, increased military spending, transitioned Cold War policy away from the policies of détente with the Soviet Union, and ordered the 1983 invasion of Grenada. He also survived an assassination attempt, fought public-sector labor unions, expanded the war on drugs, and was slow to respond to the AIDS epidemic. In the 1984 presidential election, he defeated former vice president Walter Mondale in another landslide victory. Foreign affairs dominated Reagan's second term, including the 1986 bombing of Libya, the secret and illegal sale of arms to Iran to fund the Contras, and engaging in negotiations with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, which culminated in the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.
Reagan left the presidency in 1989 with the American economy having seen a significant reduction of inflation, the unemployment rate having fallen, and the U.S. having entered its then-longest peacetime expansion. At the same time, the national debt had nearly tripled since 1981 as a result of his cuts in taxes and increased military spending, despite cuts to domestic discretionary spending. Reagan's foreign policies also contributed to the end of the Cold War. Though he planned an active post-presidency, it was hindered, after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 1994, and his physical and mental capacities gradually deteriorated, leading to his death in 2004. His tenure constituted a realignment toward conservative policies in the United States, and he is often considered an icon of American conservatism. Historical rankings of U.S. presidents have typically placed Reagan in the upper tier, and his post-presidential approval ratings by the general public are usually high.

Reviews

[Jason Navallo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book detailing the life of one of America's greatest Presidents!

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book almost brings a tear to my eye. In his own words, one of Americas greatest presidents describes how his love for his country and his fellow man led him to run for the California Governorship and later the Presidency.

If you are a patriot, a conservative, or just all around sensible, this book will sadden you. To see how quickly the progress made by the Reagan administration has been trampled over and discarded is painful. The America Ronald Reagan once helped shape is quickly being replaced by the tumorous growth of a beaurocracy that can not possibly sustain itself lest the American people continue to vote their freedom away - squandering any chance that their grandchildren will live free.

Kinda makes you want to run outside and punch a hippie.

[Jerry (Rebel With a Massive Media Library) · Rating 4 out of 5]

As someone who wasn't born until the late eighties, I am too young to remember the Reagan presidency, or even that of the elder Bush. The first Commander in Chief I remember with any clarity was Bill Clinton, and I still learned a lot more about the office of United States President as I got older, especially when "W" was in the White House. So, though I'd heard a lot about Ronald Reagan from my parents and other significantly older individuals, reading about his life and times from his own perspective was an eye-opening experience.

President Reagan and I had some things in common: We were raised in Christian homes, and we were early readers. An early memory he shared of being able to read the newspaper easily at only five years old reminds me of how surprised everyone was I could read pretty much anything--even a high school science textbook--when I was a mere kindergartener. As someone who has always loved entertainment, reading of President Reagan's time in Hollywood was fun. I could see why people often say that movies aren't what they used to be.

Where the book really got crazy was after Reagan was elected as leader of the free world. Between an assassination attempt, health scares, death in the family, and especially the tensions with the U.S.S.R., his time in the White House was tough...but, he and the former First Lady showed admirable strength and courage despite adverse circumstances.

As great as this book is--and it's the longest one other than the Bible that I've read in a while...but I loved it--I do have to issue one complaint: Some profanity--not all of which is censored--is included; though I know this is a true story, it's still a bit unfortunate, and may bother some discerning readers.

[Allie Krummel · Rating 1 out of 5]

ronald reagan is on my list.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reagan is a great storyteller so this book is easy to read. I was a little annoyed in the first part of the book by how he just dismissed various Democratic leaders as "just another tax and spend liberal." I find these kinds of labels (from both parties) to be unhelpful and would have appreciated his unique insight into people's personalities. The discussion of foreign leaders, particularly the different Soviet leaders, and the thinking and strategy as it related to the growing terrorist threat and nuclear disarmament was very interesting.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big 752 page book- Reagan's autobiography written after two terms as California Governor, and two as US President (plus sports caster and actor). I never understood people writing autobiographies in mid life... One reason I read this is that I've always felt bad about dissing Ron and Nancy in an essay I wrote while living in Africa - some insipid little comment about Nancy consulting a horoscope... So part of my reason was to approach this President's book as a mea culpa exercise. I'm glad I did - I find that I typically regret making what appeared to be "sharp, witty" ascerbic comments about leaders at a given time, only to regret them later, while any time I've been able to express mercy, understanding, tolerance, and openness, I've not regretted those stances even if disappointed later.

Right off the bat, I found Reagan's style of speaking coming through again in his writing. No doubt, he had much help writing or editing, but I can clearly hear his voice from TV and radio back in the 80's contained within his writing: warm, inviting, with conviction, yet conversational.

Second, I was struck how humbly he wrote of his many, many, many experiences, and contented or philosophically content perhaps as he looked back. He wrote from this contented standpoint in that he tried as hard as he could to act consistently with his principles. And even when he failed, he could write honestly of disappointment and with apologies. In either case, success or failure or more often he repeatedly talked about shades of success and failure mixed in various proportions, it was always in such a way that the reader could tell Reagan did not believe that the whole world rose or fell according to his actions - more realistically that he was a player on a much larger journey that continues as actors come and go.

Surprises: He came across with much more Christian views of faith than I remember publicly, and that in his most forceful criticism of the book, he was still angry with the actions of Israel led by Begin, and General Ariel Sharon back in the early 80s when he believed there was opportunity for middle east peace. Indeed, his recurring encounters with middle east conflicts and turmoil left him with a broad sorrow that more could not be accomplished - Anwar Sadat of Egypt was one he greatly admired. Reagan gave an honest, or at least coherent accounting of the Iran Contra affair - helpful for me to get the details more clear at any rate. And of course, Reagan provided his thoughts on many controversial aspects of his administration - especially those involving Central America conflicts and US support or resistance...

Reagan spent several chapters on the rearming of America, and its subsequent economic pressure put on the Soviet Union, his negotiations with at least three, if not 4 Soviet leaders - they kept dying on him, - ending with Gorbachev, and arms reductions. This really seemed like Reagan's most important contribution in his mind, was the path he helped create to reduce nuclear arms significantly, and the complexity and sensitive negotiation dynamics we probably under-appreciate 20 years later. SDI, star wars defenses, cruise missile deployment in Europe, etc - all were in Reagan's mind part of a chess match to move away from an even great idiocy - Mutual Assured Destruction - as a strategic foundation.

I'm the first to realize Reagan was and is a controversial President and public figure, in that he was both effective and very clear on his perspective of government vs private enterprise, of good and evil, and personal responsibility vs social oppression, all of which were affronts to sizable segments of America and the world. But that is the point, I suspect, of why he looms large still - a leader whether one agreed with him or not!

The book is another of those, "I thought I knew him/the issue, but I found that I didn't know or remember nearly as much as I thought."

[Alex MacMillan · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Mr. Reagan, then, is a somewhat different political leader from the bumbling idiot of liberal myth — in private a kind and gentle man, in politics a charming Machiavellian, economical in his use of power, manipulative in his use of people, and modest when it comes to sharing out the credit. In short, a master politician.

The problem of this book is that memoirs are a form of taking the credit and Mr. Reagan simply can't do it. A lifetime of not fully showing his hand has bred in him a style of amiable discretion that he simply can't shake. His talented ghostwriter, Mr. Robert Lindsey, captures his tone of voice perfectly. But the effect is a kind of literary muzak in which the harsh edges of the last decade's political battles are softened in recollection."

- John O'Sullivan's book review reflects my thoughts exactly. I think reading Steven F. Hayward's two part "Age of Reagan" series will provide me the friendly but fair introspection on a monumental political career that I hoped for from this memoir but failed to receive.

[Ryan Paige · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a good laugh. It was required college reading.

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this autobiography from one of our most beloved presidents of the last 50 years. Called The Great Communicator for a reason, Reagan had a way with words. The book takes us through his humble beginnings on a farm in Illinois and his work as a radio sports announcer, actor in Hollywood, devotion to wife Nancy, and how the Great Depression changed his outlook. Half of these 700+ pages deal specifically with his presidency and all the big issues during the 1980s: turning around the high inflation of the late 70s, Iran Contra, Grenada, the nuclear arms race, and his dealings with the four Soviet Union leaders during his presidency, ending fortunately with Gorbachev who he eventually won over. His emotions are on display here, as well as his humor. I believe Reagan would be turning over in his grave if he knew what the Republican party has become of late. A truly great American!

[Da1tonthegreat · Rating 4 out of 5]

The autobiography and presidential memoir of Ronald Reagan. It covers his early life, Hollywood career, time as governor of California, and of course his two terms as president of the United States. Par the course for the "Great Communicator," the book is highly readable, until the end when an overreliance on diary entries and letters between Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev starts to bog down the narrative. He is candid about his successes and failures. The thing about conservatives though is they always come off a lot cooler in the writings of their liberal enemies than in their own.

[Dee Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audible Credit 3 hours Narrated by Ronald Reagan (5)
Abridged audiobook

Wonderful to hear Reagan relate some of the experiences of his life from childhood to his presidency. It was especially poignant to hear of assassination attempt on his life and how it affected him. Oh, how he loved Nancy!

[Emily Leavins · Rating 5 out of 5]

UGH i just love this man. Listened to this on audio and he narrated it which made it even better. Found myself getting teary at parts. Pls read

[Ana Castillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 3 hour audiobook on Spotify. Not the 700page book that’s in my room

[Jerome Otte · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Great Communicator has done it again! "An American Life" takes the reader from his birth in Tampico, Illinois to the return to California with mission accomplished. Ronald Reagan earned the moniker "The Great Communicator" for his ability to reach an audience. "An American Life" proves that he could do it in ink too. His writing is direct, easy to follow and engaging. The theme of the book is the optimistic world view of the Reagan we knew. There is little introspection. Reagan knew what he believed and told it with gusto! Many of the stories are ones with which we are familiar. This book is the Gipper's exposition of his belief in family values and the individual. The readers are drawn into the issues which defined the Reagan Administration.

As a frequent traveler in Reagan's native region in Northern Illinois, I found the narratives of his youth in Galesburg and Dixon and his years at Eureka College to be particularly interesting. The reader follows Reagan to Iowa and on to California. The sections on Reagan's years in Hollywood give the reader an insight into the movie world. The chapters on Reagan's involvement with the Screen Actors' Guild focus on his opposition to Communist domination of the industry.

Reagan's years in California politics are related with may of the stories we have heard, such as the student protesters who entered his office to tell him that his generation could not understand them because he did not grow up with the modern conveniences, to which he replied that his generation had invented them.

Reagan tells of his conversion, which began with the General Electric tour in the 1950s, from a liberal Democrat to a conservative Republican and from a reluctant candidate to an enthusiastic agent of destiny. From a reluctant governor, Reagan matured to a candidate who sought the presidency, not to be somebody, but to do something.

In the sections on his presidential years, Reagan goes through the issues, such as tax reductions, the military buildup, Supreme Court appointments, Middle Eastern diplomacy and Soviet relations. The exhilaration of the return of hostages contrasts with the pain of the return of bodies and disasters, such as the Challenger. Reagan's dealings with the Soviets pulled his car up and down the roller coaster of emotions.

Other than that, this was a slow and tediuos read.

[Eric Jakubik · Rating 3 out of 5]

A strong 3 stars with points off due to the length of the book and some repetition. Overall a good primer on historic events which I was too young to follow as they were happening. The direct excerpts from letters and notes does help extend the credibility. Reagan Smash!

[Alison Whiteman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Not my kind of politician.

[Sal Vulcano · Rating 5 out of 5]

REAGAN SPACE LASERS. pew pew star wars

[Robert Vincent · Rating 5 out of 5]

This reading of Ronald Reagan’s autobiography is the second time for me. I read it the first time in 2009 when I was very disappointed in the political climate. This time I was prompted to read it again when I had become even more discouraged and wanted to think back to a better time and way.

As one might guess I am an advocate of a more conservative direction for America moving forward in a nation deteriorating morally and economically. And seeing our nation falling into a very vulnerable position with Islamic terror threatening us at home and even in the now not so distant Middle East, I am concerned. As I read An American Life, I above all, observed the patriotism and love of freedom that Ron Reagan brought to the highest office and advocated for all Americans. I never see that in our leadership today.

Anyone who lived during the era or who have studied history knows well that Ronald Reagan was against big government and an advocate for what Thomas Jefferson proclaimed: “A wise and frugal government, which shall restrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned—this is the sum of good government.” Reagan early in his move from being a Democrat to being convinced that he held Republican ideals summed it up this way, “By 1960, I realized the real enemy wasn’t big business, it was big government.”

Contrast Reagan’s thoughts on national health care to what has happened to health care today in America. Here is an early quote: “When a lot of the nation’s most prominent Democrats got behind socialized medicine, I started speaking out against it. If we didn’t head it off, I said, ‘one of these days you and I are going to spend our sunset years telling our children what it once was like in America when men were free.”

Ronald Reagan did not only speak about economic recovery in the time the nation was experiencing one of the greatest recessions, he propelled one of the greatest recoveries in history, even with Democrat majorities in both houses. The Tax Reform Act of 1986 while not having all that he had proposed gave way to more prosperity for all. The tax cuts proved beneficial to middle income and lower income citizens. Here is a quote to show that realization:

“Knowing they could now keep seventy percent of what they earned instead of paying seventy percent of it to the government, the most affluent Americans invested in new projects and new ideas; but contrary to what some of the tax-and-spend liberals have said, tax reform didn’t create a windfall for the rich at the expense of the poor; instead, it was the other way around.” This recovery, by and large, created jobs during the expansion that were “good” jobs; more than ninety percent were full-time jobs and paid well. Today the government is looking to raise minimum wages so that people employed in these entry positions, often times with work hours below securing benefits, can be counted as career jobs so they could be added to the workforce numbers. Now we know that today the economic and political climate is different, however the principle is the same. Private sector job creation encouraged by lower taxation creates prosperity. That is what Ronald Reagan believed. I know that there are perhaps reasonable arguments contrary to these conservative principles, but for Reagan and his economic expansion it all worked until torn apart by a persistence of liberal big government pressures.

Concerning international affairs and in particular those of the Middle East, Reagan faced much of the same threats as we do today, albeit at a much smaller scope. Just think of the Syria, Russia and Iranian alliance forming now. Hear this from Reagan from his book:

“Under President Hafez el-Assad, Syria had become virtually a Soviet satellite in the Middle East, its army supplied and trained by the Soviets, Russian money, arms, and influence were showing up throughout the region.” Does this all sound familiar? Well it goes further: “During the 1970s and early 1980s, the rapid spread in Iran and elsewhere of the most fanatical varieties of Islamic fundamentalism, with their goal of toppling secular governments and replacing them with theocracies modeled after Iran’s, made the Middle East even more unpredictable, giving the Soviets new opportunities to exploit the instability there. In a region whose oil exports were essential to the West, Soviet meddling was something the United States could not tolerate, and all our presidents since World War II, including me, felt an obligation to help reduce the instability and bring about peace.” It doesn’t seem that we have the same priorities today and have learned little from history. I don’t believe that our present administration even know this history; certainly Vladimir Putin does.

One word concerning our relationship with Israel during Ronald Reagan’s administration is given in this quote from his book: “I’ve believed many things in my life, but no conviction I’ve ever held has been stronger than my belief that the United States must ensure the survival of Israel.” And concerning the Palestinian situation Reagan had a right understanding that, “any long-term solution must require, first of all, that the Arab world acknowledge Israel’s right to exist, and must provide adequate guarantees of Israel’s security and the integrity of its borders.” Do you think that President Reagan would enter into a nuclear deal with the Iranians who vow “death to America” and “death to Israel”? Do you think that Benjamin Netanyahu would be pleased to have President Reagan as a trusted ally?

It would take much writing to give a complete accounting of the life of Ronald Reagan in a review such as this. He appears to have been an honest man with the best interests of others in mind at every stage of his life. As a young man in college, as an actor and president of the actor’s union, as Governor of California and as President of the United States he has made good decisions affecting the lives of those entrusted to him. Of course, I read about the man from his own perspective in his autobiography. There were indeed troubles including the Iran-Contra Affair in which he denied any wrongdoing. I know there was also much on the dark side of his life in which I have been told is chronicled in Bill O’Reilly’s book, “Killing Reagan”. I intend to read Bill’s book soon. But Ronald Reagan’s accomplishments are numerous and very much significant. He made things happen and will be remembered for great achievements. To name a few, he was instrumental in ending the cold war, in his “peace through strength” policy he kept the US safe, he gave momentum to the tearing down of the Berlin wall, he lead in bringing about one of the most effective economic recoveries America has ever experienced and on and on…It would be good for present day leaders to emulate him.

I admire a leader as was Ronald Reagan who acknowledges God, was bold to say he prays to God and loves Jesus Christ. That is refreshing and would be welcomed by many today in spite of the political correctness so pervasive in Washington today. And finally Reagan’s national security advisor, Colin Powell in his last national security briefing commended the outgoing president when he said, “Mr. President, the world is quiet today.”

[Francis Encarnación · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este audiolibro es un excelente complemento para quien ya ha leído una biografía más extensa de Reagan, como Reagan: His Life and Legend. Escucharlo en su propia voz —esa entonación afable y ochentera tan suya— convierte la experiencia en un verdadero deleite. Aunque se trata de un resumen de apenas 100 páginas, ofrece una valiosa ventana a su visión del mundo.

El relato resalta su firme convicción sobre la amenaza que representaba la Unión Soviética, su fe en el rol de Estados Unidos como garante global de la democracia, y su notable flexibilidad para adaptarse políticamente al contexto sin perder sus principios esenciales.

Sin embargo, por su brevedad, este libro no es suficiente si se busca comprender en profundidad su vida, legado político o los dilemas de su presidencia. El puntaje otorgado está, en buena medida, influenciado por el valor añadido que aporta haber escuchado también His Life and Legend.

4 / 5

__________________________________________________

This audiobook is an excellent companion for anyone who has already read a more comprehensive Reagan biography, such as Reagan: His Life and Legend. Hearing it in Reagan’s own voice —with that charming, unmistakably 80s tone— makes the experience especially enjoyable. Though it’s a concise work of about 100 pages, it offers a valuable glimpse into his worldview.

The narrative highlights his strong conviction regarding the oversized threat of the Soviet Union, his belief in America’s duty to defend democracy globally, and his political flexibility to adapt to context without losing core principles.

However, due to its brevity, the book isn’t sufficient on its own to deeply understand his life, political legacy, or the complexities of his presidency. The rating is largely buoyed by the added value of having listened to His Life and Legend as a foundation.

[Brian Katz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve not read many autobiographies, so this was a chance to learn the story from the person who was the subject itself. I’m glad I did it this way. As I’m certain another author would not have captured what was important to the story from Reagan’s perspective.

The early days were important, to understand his childhood, how he lived and what he learned from an early age. The Hollywood days were very interesting as I did not know just how amerced in Hollywood he was. President of SAG was a big honor and taught him a lot. The California Governor days were also interesting.

His time in the White House was very well documented. His story about the economy and rescuing it from Carter was a lesson for any leader. He accomplished economic success by doing three simple things: (1) reducing government spending, (2) reducing government regulation, and (3) reducing taxes. Simple.

The story he told about he and Gorbachev negotiating the nuclear arms reduction was fascinating. It was clear from the story that a deep personal relationship had been built between these two leaders, which is the reason why they were able to achieve some successes in their negotiations.

A great deal was accomplished by Reagan in just 8 short years and his presidency stands out as a great example of how to lead.

[Kevin Findley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid autobiography, but I do wish President Reagan had used additional sources to show exactly what was going on around him and how the press and his political enemies were shading the truth and even out and out lying.

For the most part, I believe he was being truthful, but when it came to the Middle East, he was bordering on being willfully naïve when it came to dealing with Iran, Syria, and Lebanon. Still, it is a very interesting story, and one that everybody with an interest in the office of the President should read.

[Lesley Albers · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to this instead of reading because I wanted to hear Ronald Reagan talk about his life! I don't want to sound ignorant but I had no idea of the struggles he had during his presidency in the 80s! I thought communism died in the 50s but it clearly had not.
Also in this autobiography you can also hear the love he had for his wife, Nancy and it made me tear up to hear him speak about it. Great book! Really enjoyed it!

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

a shockingly quick listen (3 hours) considering the book is 750+ pages! still confused about that. since it’s so short, and read by Reagan, it felt like i was sitting and chatting with him. i liked it more than other presidential biographies because it was
solid summary (not too in the weeds) with sweet sentiments. highly recommend!

[Parker Samelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Straightforward and insightful autobiography by one of the great American presidents.

[Ron Royden · Rating 1 out of 5]

Generally I do not rate books poorly for being exactly what they are meant to be. When I see reviews of books where people complain about a piece doing exactly what the author transparently set out to do I just wonder, "Well, why did you even read it?" It'd be like buying pine scented cologne and complaining it smells like trees. Now, I will try my best to justify my hatred for this book, but on the onset I must admit that I am a hypocrite.
The quality of this book; the writing, the narrative and organization, the themes transfixed onto real events; none of it deserves one star if I'm honest. BUT- I have a unique hatred of this book. A hatred that quite possibly is only harbored by myself and that no one else's distaste could compare to. If you are especially observant, you may have guessed some of the context towards my distaste for this book. My dad loved Ronald Reagan. My dad was OBSESSED with Ronald Reagan. My dad named his only son, me, after Ronald Reagan. My mom had to save me from my middle name being Reagan, making me Ronald Reagan ___. He spoke more about Reagan than he did about Jesus and he focused more on instilling the values of Ronald Reagan into me and my sisters than he did about Jesus as well. That is why growing up I was only occasionally told to study the Bible, I never was given Bible reading as a chore, and never was I questioned on if the opinions that were forming in my young brain were moral and just based on how they aligned with the Bible. No, I was forced to study this book sentence by sentence, word by word, letter by letter I was forced read and re-read this book countless times and countless times did I have to miss out on hanging out with friends, reading anything else, or even doing my actual school work because I was behind on my Reagan studies. I cannot recall how many times thoughts were beat out of my head for not aligning with our Lord and Savior, Ronald Wilson Reagan, despite growing up as a resolute Republican . For years I believed that I hated reading because I associated reading only with reading and re-reading this book, then being quizzed on it with dozens of questions my dad had prepared until I missed one and was told to read the book over. By the time I was 15 I had read this book over a dozen times, I felt like that kid who watched Shrek too many times and famously could recite the entire movie on a whim. I knew this book so well that I started to notice when my father's questions weren't even answered in the book and went, "Hey wait a minute?" But instead of getting a, "Damn you know this book pretty well- oh well here's another from my dozens of Reagan books! Looks like you're all done with this one," as you may expect (and would have been much more effective in indoctrinating me into this quasi-religion); I'd instead be whopped upside the head because my dad, whose developmental years were under the Reagan administration, would insist that they had to be in there because he knew about it and didn't even read the book!
Despite reading this book more times than probably any person on the planet by the time I'd moved out, I had resolved to just never really talk about this book, because I knew I had a bias, and a very extreme one at that, against this book. What made me decide eh, fuck it I'll vent about this shit, has been my reading on American history, and that hey, it isn't unfair to hate on a book for being uniquely bullshit. Even if anyone with some common sense could tell that by the cover. This book is quintessential pro-Reagan propaganda. Shocker I know- this is a criticism I'd slash as invalid. Branching off of this statement, this book is heavily misleading if not blatantly dishonest about history. Reagan ignores horrible things he did. Getting innocent people he didn't like arrested and blacklisted from Hollywood for being 'communist.' His handling of protests in California and the brutality he enacted onto innocent people, including having children uninvolved with protests arrested and jailed while walking home from school. [Boy am I glad nothing like that happens anymore, right?] Forgetting how he ignored the AIDS epidemic for 6 years. There is so much of this in this work that I hardly need to even mention Iran-Contra. But yes, "NOTHING TO SEE HERE! I DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT IT BUT IF I DID IT WAS PERFECTLY LEGAL."
Like most Reagan propaganda, this book credits Reagan with things he had little to nothing to do with. It repeats the lie of Reagan freeing the Iran hostages- despite Reagan's camp actually negotiating with Iran for them to KEEP the hostages until after the election, keeping American's in inhumane conditions in a foreign prison to hurt Carter's reelection effort. (Oh boy am I glad no *current sitting president as of this review* would have American's being tortured in foreign prisons because they think it somehow helps them politically.) It pretends the Soviet Union wasn't falling apart years before Reagan came to power, and that Reagan somehow took down the Soviet Union through the combined effort of harsh rhetoric, bad stand-up comedy, and SUPER LASERS IN OUTER SPACE! It displays the quite silly narrative that the Berlin Wall wasn't coming down regardless and that instead Reagan with his back to the Berlin Wall, cock and balls swinging, gave a verbal death beam of a speech that forced Gorbachev to, "TEAR DOWN THIS WALL." Along with all this, Reagan adds a few more nuggets of bullshit which were treated as gospel in my home. Reagan may have lied about "welfare queens" in order to cut people in need off of welfare, portraying people on welfare as specifically African-American women abusing the system. All because one woman, who happened to be African American, attempted to cheat the system and was swiftly caught. Reagan did not invent the term, "Welfare Queen," which was specifically meant to evoke the image of evil African American women who were abusing the system, but he loved saying it. And the KKK along with the lost cause movement and Civil-Rights Act deniers in the south loved hearing it from him. (Good thing no future president would evoke racist fantasies in order to cut welfare.) But Reagan wasn't racist. No, in High School when a kid was being racist, Reagan was like, "Hey stop that." Reagan's supernatural powers didn't begin with his political career either. Reagan saved 77 lives as a lifeguard in his youth. [Source, Ronald Reagan: "I made it the fuck up." Feb. 6th, 1988.] Now it is hard to say whether his mystic powers, which would later evolve into anti-communist space lasers, saved those 77 lives or if young Ronald Reagan, unable to control his abilities, accidentally caused 77 people to begin drowning- in which Reagan then heroically dived in to save them.
It is all quite silly. You know what is ironically, if maybe unintentionally, displayed in this book is that Reagan didn't learn how to be a good governor or president from Hollywood and his 'anti-communist' operations as President of the SAG, it was instead how to be a good politician. Reagan was never good at economics, he never was very knowledgeable on history, and he never understood foreign affairs.
During Reagan's presidency, after Ferdinand Marcos, dictator of the Philippines ran a "free and fair" election, in which opposition voters were shot and killed at the polls, military personnel were flown from polling station to polling station to vote for Marcos countless times, polling stations conveniently omitted the leading opposition candidate, citizens were openly bribed to vote for Marcos and threatened with death for voting against him; and when all this failed to give him a favorable result he instead diverted to directly editing the voting results, transparently switching out votes for opposition candidates to instead count for himself... after all this Reagan told the opposition party that they lost and needed to accept the results. Reagan only backpedaled when the vast majority of the country, including military and government officials closest to Marcos accepted that Cory Aquino had won, along with-and most importantly-American business interests lobbying that Marcos was bad for business. Reagan didn't know how Marcos's policies were hurting American business in the Philippines. Reagan lacked the wisdom, or in this case common sense, to recognize a violent dictator. Reagan didn't understand how his unnecessary, unknowledgeable, and unasked for comments on the election could blow back in his face.
Reagan instead was good at speaking like a movie star and selling himself like a juicy American cheeseburger. He describes how when he first became an actor he was taught how to look and dress and talk, how to wear and apply makeup, how to look strong, how to act! How to evoke emotion! As President of the Screen Actors Guild he learned how to lie and manipulate the truth. How to place suspicion under his rivals, and how to undermine corporate, and later political, enemies. He claims this was all a whoopsies or that the people he didn't like whom he fed to the wood-chipper really were communists! Because famously in America if you look under the 1st Amendment, the Constitution actually says that thinking certain things is illegal and if you're even SUSPECTED of thinking things you are in BIG trouble! Even if you uhh don't. (Good thing no politicians since have discovered the power of claiming anyone who rivals your political views is some kind of unAmerican terrorist.)
This book will make you dumber. Books aren't supposed to do that. After reading this book, especially if you have a malleable mind like a child, you will have a more ignorant view of history and the world than if you instead spent that time being called slurs on MW2 voice-chat.

[Book Dragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ronald Reagan’s An American Life is more than just the autobiography of a U.S. president; it’s a reflection of the journey of a man whose path was shaped by his distinct worldview, ambition, and deep sense of duty. Published in 1990, Reagan’s autobiography traces the milestones of his life, from his humble beginnings in rural Illinois to his time in the White House. The book offers personal anecdotes, political insight, and reflections on a long career marked by transformation and historical significance. It’s an engaging read for those interested in Reagan’s life and political philosophy, but it also leaves some gaps, particularly in his presidency.

Childhood and Early Influences

Reagan’s early years, growing up in a small town in Illinois, set the foundation for many of the values that would guide his life. He was born in 1911 to John and Nelle Reagan, the son of a shoe salesman and a loving, idealistic mother. Reagan’s childhood, marked by economic hardships and a sense of instability, shaped his personal philosophy. He often reflects on the values his parents instilled in him: hard work, faith, and a deep love for the United States. His early experiences with poverty, particularly during the Great Depression, made him sympathetic to the challenges of everyday Americans and influenced his later economic policies.

College and Early Career

Reagan attended Eureka College in Illinois, where he majored in economics and sociology, and it was here that he began to develop his passion for acting. As a college student, Reagan was also an athlete, president of his class, and deeply involved in campus life. These years, while academically formative, were not as politically charged, though they planted the seeds for his later involvement in politics.

Reagan’s acting career, which began with small radio jobs and progressed to Hollywood stardom, is covered extensively in the autobiography. He was under contract with Warner Bros. for much of the 1930s and 1940s, appearing in more than 50 films. While he is often remembered for his role in movies like Kings Row and Knute Rockne, All American, Reagan’s story in Hollywood is also filled with the challenges of navigating the studio system, dealing with typecasting, and his eventual involvement in the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). He was president of the SAG from 1947 to 1952, and this period marks the beginning of his public political engagement, particularly in relation to anti-Communist sentiment in the film industry.

State Politics in California

Reagan’s transition from Hollywood to politics is one of the most interesting aspects of his autobiography. His entry into California politics began with his strong opposition to the liberal policies of the 1960s and 1970s, particularly those of Governor Edmund "Pat" Brown. As a two-term governor of California (1967-1975), Reagan emerged as a forceful advocate for fiscal conservatism, tax cuts, and a more traditional set of American values. His tenure as governor was marked by efforts to reform California’s budget, address the state’s growing problems with student unrest and crime, and push back against the expansion of the welfare state. His policies were often confrontational, but they resonated with the growing conservative sentiment in the country, setting the stage for his national political ambitions.

Reagan’s views on the role of government were shaped during this period, as he became a champion of a limited government approach. He came to believe that the state’s economic problems were largely the result of excessive taxation and regulation. This mindset would define his approach as president and inform his later battles with Congress and the federal bureaucracy.

Political Views and Influence of Thomas Jefferson
One of the central themes in An American Life is Reagan’s deep admiration for the Founding Fathers, particularly Thomas Jefferson. Reagan sees Jefferson as the quintessential American, a visionary who championed individual liberty, the rights of states, and a government of limited scope. He frequently references Jefferson’s principles, including his belief in the importance of self-government, personal responsibility, and a government that serves the people rather than controls them. Reagan also drew inspiration from Jefferson’s writings, particularly the Declaration of Independence, as he crafted his own political identity.

Reagan’s political views align with those of classical liberalism, emphasizing individual freedoms, a free-market economy, and a limited government. He consistently rejects the idea that government should be the primary solution to societal problems, preferring instead to trust the American people’s ability to solve issues through initiative, hard work, and entrepreneurship.

Views on the Middle East and Communism

Reagan’s foreign policy views, particularly in relation to the Middle East and communism, are significant themes in the autobiography. His stance on the Middle East, while not as detailed as some might like, is clear: he believed that the U.S. should stand firm against any form of tyranny or radical ideology, particularly Islamic fundamentalism. His handling of the Iranian hostage crisis, the U.S. embassy bombing in Beirut, and the eventual withdrawal from Lebanon after the 1983 bombing of the U.S. Marines barracks are covered, though Reagan is quick to note that his actions in the Middle East were often mischaracterized.

Reagan’s view of communism, however, is a central part of the book. He describes his deep-seated opposition to communism, shaped by his early involvement in anti-Communist activism in Hollywood. As president, he adopted a confrontational stance against the Soviet Union, exemplified in his famous "Evil Empire" speech and his aggressive military and economic strategy designed to undermine the Soviet regime. His belief that communism was an existential threat to the United States and the values of the free world underpinned much of his foreign policy.

Economic Views

Reagan’s economic philosophy is perhaps the most enduring aspect of his legacy. His belief in supply-side economics, tax cuts, and deregulation are all key points in the autobiography. Reagan emphasizes that his economic policies were designed to reduce the burden of government on individuals and businesses, thereby stimulating growth and innovation. He argues that by lowering taxes, particularly on the wealthy and businesses, it would lead to greater investment, job creation, and overall economic expansion. While Reagan acknowledges the challenges and criticisms of his policies, he stands firm in his belief that reducing government intervention was key to revitalizing the American economy.

The Reagan tax cuts, which reduced income tax rates across the board, were a cornerstone of his administration. Reagan defends these cuts as necessary to promote economic growth, and he points to the subsequent economic boom of the 1980s as evidence of their success. However, he also recognizes that the federal deficit expanded during his presidency, a point that his critics often cite. Reagan attributes this in part to the increase in military spending during the Cold War, though his critics argue that the tax cuts exacerbated the deficit.

What the Book Misses

While An American Life is a rich and engaging memoir, there are notable areas where the book falls short. For one, Reagan’s autobiography doesn’t delve deeply into some of the more controversial aspects of his presidency, such as the Iran-Contra affair. The scandal, which involved the illegal sale of arms to Iran to fund Nicaraguan rebels, is given only a cursory mention. Reagan does not fully address the complexities or the political fallout of the scandal, which remains a significant part of his legacy.

Additionally, while the book offers insights into his views on foreign policy, it glosses over some of the challenges and ambiguities of his presidency, particularly in dealing with the complexities of the Middle East. Reagan’s policies toward Iraq, Israel, and Lebanon are not explored in-depth, and his administration’s relationship with Saddam Hussein and the Iran-Contra affair is underrepresented. Furthermore, the book provides no color on 1986 amnesty of illegal immigrants.

Finally, the autobiography is relatively light on the personal toll of the presidency. While Reagan reflects on his time in office and his accomplishments, he is less forthcoming about the personal costs—such as the impact of his deteriorating health, especially towards the end of his second term, or his internal struggles during moments of crisis.

Conclusion

An American Life is a captivating look at the life of Ronald Reagan, offering insights into the experiences and beliefs that shaped one of the most significant figures of the 20th century. Reagan’s storytelling is candid and filled with personal reflections that offer valuable context for understanding his political evolution. While the book is more of a memoir than a detailed policy analysis, it offers a compelling portrait of the man and his ideals, especially his deep-rooted faith in the American people and his belief in the virtues of freedom and individual responsibility. However, it leaves out some of the more controversial aspects of his presidency, and readers hoping for a thorough analysis of his time in the White House may find the autobiography lacking in certain areas. Nevertheless, for anyone interested in Reagan’s life and legacy, An American Life is an essential read.

[Chase Bertoldo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ronald Reagan's An American life inspired me with its in depth details of all the challenges President Reagan had to over come. This book will take you through the whole life of this incredible man. You will go through the struggles he had in his teen life. Along with the struggles he had in his presidency. All the while making you feel like all the decisions he had too make, whether being teen or president, one of the most important decisions of his life. I see this as one of the best books I have read, because of how well President Reagan was able to embody the incredibly strenuous job of being President.

The overall theme I would take from this book is that no matter where you start you can become something great if you work as hard as you can. I say this because off with him in a low income family and struggling with money. Often times their dinner would not be considered a dinner by normal standards, along with that his father had an alcohol addiction. You can really see all this happening because his writing style is so detail and realistic. Everything he says is generally very serious. When he finds his dad passed out in front of his house because he was drunk you can see him struggle to help his dad inside and make sure that he is alright. He is also able to make every character so connected to you. When he talks about his high school lover you feel as if you know who she was, and when she left him you felt just as bad as him. Even when you only meet a character for short time you become attached. When he brought his cousin to California to become his assistant you felt like you could see him. When he died I was actually quite sad because President Reagan was helping him out with his addictions and President Reagan was able to make me feel like I was there along with the ride helping him too. He also managed to do the same with settings. When he got his ranch I could see this little ranch at the top of the hill. When he was working for the military in WW2 I could imagine him at his station doing voice overs for films to teach bomber pilots. All of this does not come close to the plot of the story. This is by far the strong point of the story. This is the first book that I had no questions about and kept me compelled to read more. If you want to know about his childhood then you will enjoy this book. You will learn about his first jobs that payed almost nothing. If you want to know about his college years you will also enjoy it. He walks you through the struggles of trying to make the first string of the football team and stay there. If you want to know about his acting career. Again you will love it. You are shown the inner politics of the actors guild and how everything works along with having to fight communism in Hollywood and nearly getting killed by acid. You get to see him have to work through all his B-movies to finally get into the big budget films that he always dreams about being in. If you wanted to know about his difficult presidency then you will be in love with this book. You get to know about all of the domestic and international struggles he had to go through. You get to see him try to struggle with the democrats about trying pass a tax reform. Also you go through the struggles he had with negotiating a peace deal to stop nuclear warheads from being produced in the U.S.A and Russia.

Overall I would give this book a 4.5/5. I would give it this high of a rating because it does everything you want from an autobiography. I was left asking no questions about what happened in his life. Although very few there were shorts bursts of the book that were boring and turned me off. Overall this has been one of my favorite books I have read and would recommend it to anybody who is interested in learning about the life of Ronald Reagan.

[Ru · Rating 4 out of 5]

The amazing life and autobiography of Ronald Reagan, detailing eight prosperous years as President of the United States, but also his life from childhood and careers embarked upon long before politics were a glimmer in his eye. The tenure of President Reagan represents some of the most remarkable times of any generation, and as lengthy as this book is, I found myself captivated by this first-person account.

As President Reagan was the oldest president to take office, there tends to be a memory perpetuated of him as this charismatic grandfatherly figure, of weathered appearance, and later afflicted by Alzheimer's disease long after his second term had ended. While these are representations of him, his youth as an athlete in small-town humble beginnings gives you more of the measure of the man to come. He is often remembered as an unlikely actor who was thought to be an even unlikelier candidate for the highest office in the land, but before he was either of those things, he was a sportscaster simply working hard to make a living. You get a strong sense of his work ethic and it was genuinely exciting to follow the rise of this young man.

Once politics enters into this book, it is as relentless as the passion exhibited by Ronald Reagan to become Governor of California. Reagan actually started out his career as a Democrat, which may surprise people, and it wasn't until his examination of Democratic policies and the influence of his older brother did he change his allegiances. As reluctant as Reagan was to embrace politics, officially, at first, he takes the bull by the horns to enact changes he believes in that are for the betterment of his constituency.

Family plays a strong role in Reagan's life, and his devotion to Nancy is beautiful and admirable. Strangely, his first marriage to Jane Wyman is barely mentioned by him - no more than a sentence, I believe, despite producing two children. I believe President Reagan remains the only man to hold that office as a divorcee, if I'm not mistaken. Regardless, it is comforting to hear him discuss his family and the bond they all share as his incredible career unfolds.

Two areas of this autobiography gripped me like something out of a spy thriller. The first being the 1981 attempted assassination by the deranged John Hinckley Jr. I recall fairly vividly the news accounts of this occurring, but to actually read in his own words what it was like was positively chilling. Reagan's relationship with the Soviet Union is also fascinating, particularly as it pertains to nuclear disarmament, and programs such as the Strategic Defense Initiative, a.k.a. the "Star Wars" program. The Cold War was in full swing during the Reagan Presidency and there are so many great letters exchanged between Reagan, and Andropov and Gorbachev. There is a palpable sense of frustration on the part of all leaders.

President Reagan, essentially, defeated Communism. "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" will never, ever be forgotten. Reagan in his own words in this book represents a form of outstanding leadership the likes of which has never been seen since he left office, and is particularly relevant today, in lieu of the utter lack of leadership and questionable motives of the current administration. Furthermore, this book is a terrific lesson in leadership in general. President Reagan has a tenacity and admirable fervor that allowed him to get things done. While this is largely a treatise on the life and politics of the 40th President of the United States, it is so much more than that overall, and is more of the measure of a great man. Highly recommended.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not every day that you reach the end of a 752-page book assigned for school and think, "I don't want this to end!" However, that is exactly how I felt when I hit the epilogue of this presidential autobiography.

This book is incredibly entertaining, and even though it covers a lot of political and social issues in great depth and with appropriate seriousness, I laughed out loud countless times because of Reagan's shining personality and humor. He shares lots of hilarious anecdotes from his life, covering the types of details that no academic biographer would ever bother to include, and I have added a wealth of new historical stories to my repertoire. Recently, I had my whole family in stitches as I talked about how in one chapter, Reagan transitions directly from reflections about the first summit with Gorbachev to an anecdote about the death of a goldfish that he was responsible for feeding at the house where he was staying.

"The PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES was responsible for feeding their goldfish?!" my mom cried.

"Yes! And he was like, 'I don't know if I fed it too much, or if I fed it too little, but it died on my watch, and I felt terrible!'"

During my class, in addition to reading this, I also read selected chapters from scholarly works that complemented it and provided an academic perspective on the different stages and issues of Reagan's political career. They were great sources, and they went to show how accurate Reagan was in his portrayals of events, but none of them would have ever mentioned the goldfish! I LOVED getting to read Reagan's personal, entertaining take on his life and presidency, and now understand why people of my parents' generation still love him so much. Sure, he had his faults and tripled the federal deficit, but he was basically the equivalent of a Fred Rogers in the White House. This book puts all of his charm, humor, humility, and kindness on display, and it also serves to fact-check the obnoxious myths that circulate about him.

For example, even though Reagan was sometimes tone-deaf to racial issues, he assigned more blacks and Hispanics to significant positions during his tenure as California's governor than all of the state's previous governors combined, and also promoted women's careers. Soundbite histories that try to paint Reagan as a horrible Eighties White Male don't bother to mention these things, and it was interesting to learn that despite Reagan's occasional policy missteps, he cared passionately about racial equality and was raised to believe that racial and religious prejudice were the worst sins someone could commit. The further I got into this book, the more disgusted I became with narrative-over-facts assessments of Reagan's presidency that I have come across in the past several years. This is why I'm a history major! I don't trust people to represent the past accurately, so I study it myself.

This book is one of my favorites that I have read this year, and I am very glad that I decided to take the history elective that required it. Even though this book requires a significant time commitment, I highly recommend it to anyone who is interested in studying this period of American history or shares my affection for hilarious historical anecdotes.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book. As one might imagine, it was A LOT of politics. I've read at least one biography before on Reagan, but have wanted to read his autobiography for a long time and glad I finally did. It's 85 chapters and 726 pages and most of it is politics, so not necessarily a "pool side" read. But I found it fascinating. The focus of the book is much more regarding politics than his personal life and I would have liked him to recount a little more on his personal life. Nevertheless, it was so insightful to read so much of his communication with Gorbachev during the Cold War and such. Here are a few excerpts that I loved:

"There probably isn't any undertaking on earth short of assuring the national security that can't be handled more efficiently by the forces of private enterprise than by the federal government."

In regards to Nancy... "If ever God gave me evidence that He had a plan for me, it was the night He brought Nanacy into my life. I have spent many hours of my life giving speeches and expressing my opinions. But it is almost impossible for me to express fully how deeply I love Nancy and how much she has filled my life....Coming home to her is like coming out of the cold into a warm, firelit room. I miss her if she just steps out of the room."

In regards to socialized medicine.... (and he said this when he was still a registered Democrat) "When a lot of the nation's most prominent Democrats got behind socialized medicine, I started speaking out against it. If we didn't head it off, I said, one of these days you and I are going to spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it once was like when men were free."

"Spending for government "entitlement" programs accounts for 48% of federal spending. To many members of Congress, this money is off-limits forever: Once a program gets started, it's virtually impossible to reduce or stop it. Every one of these programs develops a powerful constituency in Congress, and a bureaucracy that is dedicated to preserving it. The tendency of government and its programs to grow are about the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth."

And finally.... he outlines 3 things he feels most strongly about for our government to be successful. 1) "We need more discipline on spending in Congress. 2) We need a constitutional amendment REQUIRING Congress to balance the budget. And 3) we need to give our presidents a line-item veto in order to cut unnecessary spending. He also said that Congressional redistricting (which is done to basically secure the re-election of a particular Congressman/woman) "has becomes a national disgrace and needs to be cleaned up."

Anyway, I learned a ton and would highly recommend this book. Wish we had a President like him today....