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Hand of Providence: The Strong and Quiet Faith of Ronald Reagan
According to recent opinion polls, Ronald Reagan is the most popular of modern presidents, and yet to most biographers the man is still an enigma. This is because, as Brown explains, no one has ever focused on this great man's faith. This book explores the life and personality of Ronald Reagan by focusing on his deep-felt Christian beliefs and showing how faith guided him along his distinguished career and led him to his unprecedented success. With the support of Ronald Reagan's own words and writings and first-hand interviews of Ronald Reagan's family, friends, and co-workers, Brown weaves a magnificent story of Reagan's strong devotion to God that will not only inspire Christians to enter public service and allow their faith to motivate all their actions but also help point others to the Cross of Jesus Christ-a cause that was near and dear to President Reagan's heart.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published January 31, 2004
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
April 24, 2021
Great book!
November 28, 2007
Just finished this one at dinner. Glad for this peek into the spiritual side of his life and his spiritual viewpoints on events during his childhood, film career, and political career.
March 24, 2019
Very good read. This work gives a lot of insight into Ronald Reagan's deep personal faith while also careful to not paint him as some perfect savior. It captures his mistakes, anguish, and frustrations just as well as it captures the peaks of his life. That is a great accomplishment.
December 23, 2019
Uplifting and insightful
An uplifting and insightful look into this amazing man's life and faith! I thoroughly enjoyed every page. I learned so much about the man Ronald Reagan not just the public figure.
An uplifting and insightful look into this amazing man's life and faith! I thoroughly enjoyed every page. I learned so much about the man Ronald Reagan not just the public figure.
September 11, 2021
Inspiring, encouraging and thought provoking. Ronald Regan believed “in the golden rule and in the power of prayer. He believed that America was not just a place in the world, but the hope of the world.”
July 18, 2023
It was an interesting read. I wasn't aware of the deep faith that Reagan had.
But the book came off as preachy and it felt like the author was trying to convince the reader that God put Reagan in the presidency rather than let the facts speak for themselves.
But the book came off as preachy and it felt like the author was trying to convince the reader that God put Reagan in the presidency rather than let the facts speak for themselves.
March 6, 2019
A polemic that wants to get you to believe that god guided Reagan's life.
Impossible, since there is no god.
Impossible, since there is no god.
May 30, 2020
I learned a ton about Reagan’s life, and how his faith guided his life.
August 17, 2020
Extremely insightful and encouraging.
Very well written. Having read volumes about our 40th president, I was amazed and surprised at the new perspective imagined reading this.
Very well written. Having read volumes about our 40th president, I was amazed and surprised at the new perspective imagined reading this.
April 5, 2026
Good story but a slow read. Most of the book is based off of The American Life, Reagan’s autobiography.
February 22, 2013
I enjoyed learning about Reagan, since this was the first book I read about him specifically it was an interesting introduction to his life history viewed through his religious beliefs. It was an easy and short read, and I really liked aspects about his first marriage with Jane Wyman. She has always been interesting as a leading lady for Hitchcock and her many other movies as well as the strict aunt in Polyanna.
The quotes cited shared insight into his view of conservative values that I feel are often misrepresented, so I enjoyed reading more of a complete view rather than people taking what they want to use. His view of bipartisanship was especially good, in debating paths for policy development he refused to include any political issues, and focused on what was good for the people of the US. He rose above the issues and spoke on what was important to help the country and not the party. He avoided the negative attack ads (or at least that is what was conveyed in the book), and instead of having TV ads he bought a half an hour slot when he addressed the nation rather than hound them. It is a shame that current candidates could not take this approach.
His faith and concern also seemed genuine. It seemed a little naive at times, but that often comes when you deal with faith and believing in the unknown. I was not especially convinced with where he got his faith from other than his mother and instances when God "took care" of him when he needed guidance. I wish they would have had more information on that. In order to learn more about him, I hope to read a more definitive biography soon, and perhaps visit his ranch in California.
The quotes cited shared insight into his view of conservative values that I feel are often misrepresented, so I enjoyed reading more of a complete view rather than people taking what they want to use. His view of bipartisanship was especially good, in debating paths for policy development he refused to include any political issues, and focused on what was good for the people of the US. He rose above the issues and spoke on what was important to help the country and not the party. He avoided the negative attack ads (or at least that is what was conveyed in the book), and instead of having TV ads he bought a half an hour slot when he addressed the nation rather than hound them. It is a shame that current candidates could not take this approach.
His faith and concern also seemed genuine. It seemed a little naive at times, but that often comes when you deal with faith and believing in the unknown. I was not especially convinced with where he got his faith from other than his mother and instances when God "took care" of him when he needed guidance. I wish they would have had more information on that. In order to learn more about him, I hope to read a more definitive biography soon, and perhaps visit his ranch in California.
July 20, 2015
Why I Choose this Book
My mom recommended this book so highly that she gave it to each family member for Christmas last year. How could I not want to read it?
What I Thought
I love history and I found this book to be brimming with a story that was so engaging that it sucked me in and left me wanting to share bits and pieces of the adventure with everyone else. In fact, I read most of it while on a longish car ride and brought my car-mates to laughter many times when I would randomly blurt out stuff like
"Did you know Ronald Reagan oldest son was adopted?" or
"Did you know Ronald Reagan had a fan write to him when he was an actor and they were pen-pals for the next 51 years and he wrote her 275 letters?" (then of course we had to average out how often he wrote to her) or
"Did you know that during his presidency Ronald Reagan stopped going to church after someone tried to assassinate him because he didn't want to put people at church in danger?" or
"Did you know that communists tried to take over Hollywood?" And my list went on and on.
Hand of Providence was not only interesting and engaging, but it was also inspiring. It was encouraging to see how wholly one of the former leaders of our country relied on God and was not remiss in giving Him the glory and honor that is due Him.
Conclusion
Of course Mr. Reagan's life wasn't perfect and the book doesn't portray it as such, but it did make me want to reach for higher levels and strive to become more.
There are a few scenes that might be traumatic to youngish children.
Rating
I'm giving Hand of Providence five stars and I would recommend this book to anyone.
My mom recommended this book so highly that she gave it to each family member for Christmas last year. How could I not want to read it?
What I Thought
I love history and I found this book to be brimming with a story that was so engaging that it sucked me in and left me wanting to share bits and pieces of the adventure with everyone else. In fact, I read most of it while on a longish car ride and brought my car-mates to laughter many times when I would randomly blurt out stuff like
"Did you know Ronald Reagan oldest son was adopted?" or
"Did you know Ronald Reagan had a fan write to him when he was an actor and they were pen-pals for the next 51 years and he wrote her 275 letters?" (then of course we had to average out how often he wrote to her) or
"Did you know that during his presidency Ronald Reagan stopped going to church after someone tried to assassinate him because he didn't want to put people at church in danger?" or
"Did you know that communists tried to take over Hollywood?" And my list went on and on.
Hand of Providence was not only interesting and engaging, but it was also inspiring. It was encouraging to see how wholly one of the former leaders of our country relied on God and was not remiss in giving Him the glory and honor that is due Him.
Conclusion
Of course Mr. Reagan's life wasn't perfect and the book doesn't portray it as such, but it did make me want to reach for higher levels and strive to become more.
There are a few scenes that might be traumatic to youngish children.
Rating
I'm giving Hand of Providence five stars and I would recommend this book to anyone.
December 13, 2011
The is the best book I have read on Reagan. Mary Beth Brown does a wonderful job giving the reader a glimpse of the Christian man Reagan. She also has a Scripture verse to begin each chapter to help set the theme for that section. Many familiar evangelical Christian leaders are quoted in this book including C.S. Lewis, James Dobson, Charles Stanley, Tim LaHay, Eric Liddell, Adrian Rogers as well as many others. If you are a Reagan fan I highly recommend this book!
March 9, 2013
Enough interesting pieces to make it worth a read, and it's a quick one anyway, but the author does a poor job bringing much life to the stories she uncovers. The writing is bland and the research is lacking. The focus on Reagan's committed spiritual life was nice though.
A interesting idea that was poorly executed in my mind. Still, you get a glimpse at how big a part faith played in the life of one of our better presidents.
A interesting idea that was poorly executed in my mind. Still, you get a glimpse at how big a part faith played in the life of one of our better presidents.
November 9, 2007
I loved this book. He is an example the principles of what America was founded on. He came from nothing. His mother instilled faith and loyalty into him. A great leader doesn't look to be followed, he just does what he thinks is right, and people follow reguardless.
Read
August 24, 2012The author's Christian perspective is instrumental in uncovering the "gyroscope" that brought purposefulness, steadiness, humility, and wisdom to the life of one of America's greatest presidents; namely, Reagan's deep and vibrant faith in God.
March 17, 2009
I borrowed this book from my grandma and was entrigued by the life and faith of Ronald Reagan.
Currently Reading
September 7, 2010Lot's of great information on Regan, his family and faith in God. Still reading, but I'm enjoying this and feel a little better informed about the President of my youth.
July 23, 2012
He was a man for his time. It is reassuring that someone can be a politician and still live the principles of the gospel.
April 17, 2013
Loved seeing this Christian side of his life told by close family memebers who knew him best.
November 4, 2013
Awesome book describing the faith of Ronald Reagan. Would recommend to any Reagan fans!
June 9, 2014
Good read and an enlighting look a what made Reagan have such an optimistic outlook on life.
September 21, 2014
One of the best books that I have read in a long time.
August 9, 2016
nice tie spent getting to know this great President - RIP.
February 23, 2009
Insight into the faith of Ronaldus Magnus
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews