What Would Reagan Do? Life Lessons from the Last Great President

by Chris Christie

With the nation badly divided and the two major parties on a bitter collision course, what can we learn from America’s last great president?

A lot, says New York Times bestselling author and former New Jersey governor Chris Christie. In What Would Reagan Do?, Christie takes a fresh look at President Ronald Reagan’s character-driven political instincts and deeply impactful relationships across party lines—finding plenty of compelling insights for our current national dysfunction.

In each chapter, Christie spells out a lesson from a different point in Reagan’s journey, then ties all those lessons to the national challenges of today.

When Reagan turned from Hollywood to politics, America was at another breaking point. The economy was battered. Trust in government was at an all-time low. US foreign policy was an embarrassment, and Western ideals were facing enormous challenges in the world, especially from the Russians and the Chinese.

Sound familiar? Enter a fading actor who would become the 40th president of the United States.

Countless books have been written about President Reagan’s strong conservative leadership. But Christie says few people fully appreciate the clarity of vision and subtle human relations skills that Reagan brought to the negotiating table and into the political realm. Reagan had a remarkable ability to find common ground across party lines—as Christie puts it, to “compromise without being compromised.” Building on lessons from his own hardscrabble upbringing, Reagan transformed the Republican Party and the political landscape forever.

Two decades after Reagan’s death, Christie shows how the life lessons of the beloved president are more alive than ever—and can restore American leadership again.

288 pages, Hardcover

First published February 6, 2024

About the author

55th Governor of New Jersey. He has been governor since January 2010 and was re-elected for a second term in the 2013 election. George W. Bush appointed him as United States Attorney for New Jersey, a position he held from 2002 to 2008.

Reviews

[Barry Martin Vass · Rating 5 out of 5]

This makes for interesting reading in the politically divisive times we live in. Born on February 6, 1911, Ronald Reagan came of age during the Great Depression and cast his first vote for president during the 1932 election. And who did the man who would come to be known as the Father of Republican Conservatism vote for? He voted for Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the Democrat, over Republican Herbert Hoover, because he thought Roosevelt had more character and that the wide array of social programs and jobs creation would benefit the country. And they did. As the years went on, though, he gradually turned away from such bureaucracy-bloating job creation and social engineering, turned sharply to the right, and began looking to smaller government and less taxation and regulation as the correct way forward. Here's from the book: "As a product of the American upper class, Weisberg notes, Roosevelt considered unregulated capitalism a dire threat to the people, and government regulation their best protector. By contrast, Reagan, coming from the American lower middle class, now saw those roles reversed: taxation and regulation were the villains, corporations and markets his heroes." Years before Lyndon Johnson's Great Society and the Civil Rights Act, Reagan was already calling the continued expansion of federal authority not just wasteful, but the primary threat to individual liberty. For Reagan, the path was set." What Would Reagan Do? will definitely make you think.

[Kenny Schwarz · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just ok. A very “wave-top” bio of Republican’s other hero, Ronald Reagan with the ultimate message that Reagan’s example and not Trumps should be the model for conservatives to follow.

While I agree with Christie’s point, the reader often has to wonder if this book was largely intended as a cudgel against Trump (who the author seemingly backed for four years while the heavily criticized behavior was occurring) and whether the author’s Trump bashing was genuine, politically expedient (given the author’s own presidential campaign) or borne out of a personal grudge.

Since this book is not a deep biography and the message is complicated by the aforementioned factors, a three star rating is appropriate.

[Joe Mama · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic read! I now live my life by the principles espoused by this book. Right after I closed the final page, I went outside and ignored the AIDS crisis, funneled crack into inner cities using the CIA, sold weapons to Iran, and destabilized South America in the name of stopping drugs and Communism! Now every time I have to make a decision I ask myself…what would Reagan do!

[Patrice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Christie is clearly a big fan of Reagan (as I am of Christie), and I remember the former President fondly. The lessons described in the book are good ones - and that is the point of the book. I'm just wondering if there should have been a few more of the mistakes made, as a balance.

That said, I'm still a big fan of both men. Christie for President!

[Susan Sherwin · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I learned more about Reagan, most of this book didn't enlighten me. Chris Christie's argues that not all Republicans are Trump followers, and the author makes clear that the party needs to revert to the conservative principles of Reagan.

[diane cooney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book om Ronald Reagan, yet not so great for Donald Trump, who the book try's to destroy.

[Anna Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read with lots of fun memories! It also gave me more positive insights into the mind/thoughts of Chris Christy!

[Rafael Suleiman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book on POTUS Ronald Reagan.

[Evan Whitlock · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

[Riggins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good high level history of Reagan but no real comment on “Whar Reagan Would Do” in today’s political mess. More anti-trump material.

[Kris · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good story, not great writing

[Ruth Ann Maynard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can I give this book double five stars? It is exactly what every Republican needs to read—no matter if you are a strong conservative or middle of the road. Read it before you vote this November.

[Karen Calmeyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book. interesting.. I hope to Chris Christie in politics again. He always answers questions with honest answers and you get the rationale behind it.