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Reagan: An American Journey
From New York Times bestselling 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. It was famously said that FDR had a first-rate disposition and a second-rate intellect. Perhaps it is no accident that only FDR had as high a public approval rating leaving office as Reagan did, or that in the years since Reagan has been closing in on FDR on rankings of Presidential greatness. Written 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.
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. It was famously said that FDR had a first-rate disposition and a second-rate intellect. Perhaps it is no accident that only FDR had as high a public approval rating leaving office as Reagan did, or that in the years since Reagan has been closing in on FDR on rankings of Presidential greatness. Written 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.
863 pages, Hardcover
First published October 2, 2018
165 people are currently reading
2966 people want to read
About the author
Bob Spitz
16 books155 followersBob Spitz is the award-winning author of The Beatles, a New York Times best seller, as well as seven other nonfiction books and a screenplay. He has represented Bruce Springsteen and Elton John in several capacities. His articles appear regularly in magazines and newspapers, including The New York Times Magazine; The Washington Post; Rolling Stone; and O, The Oprah Magazine, among others.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
September 13, 2018
Spitz has provided us with really the definitive biography of Reagan, the man. The book is carefully researched, thorough, and painstakingly filled with detail. Especially of note are the chapters about Reagan’s early formative years in the small prairie towns, working as a lifeguard, struggling to pay his own way through college, reinventing himself as a sports commentator on the radio, and on to his years in Hollywood where he was thought to be the next great leading man, his storybook marriage to Jane Wyman which ended in divorce, his years in the Screen Actors Guild, etc. It’s always interesting to hear about an important figure’s formative years and what made them grow into who they eventually became. If there is any fault with this book, it’s that there is so much detail about everything, that it is not light easy reading.
Many thanks to the publisher for providing a copy for review.
Many thanks to the publisher for providing a copy for review.
May 29, 2019
It's difficult for me to be objective about Ronald Reagan the man, much less a good biography of him, which this certainly is. I've read several biographies of the Gipper, most memorably Edmund Morris's
Dutch: A Memoir of Ronald Reagan
, and I find it impossible to reconcile the man with the politician. Ronald Reagan was a decent, honorable person who had a gift for "retail politics," but was a barely competent public official. Comparisons of Reagan with Donald Trump are unavoidable (see below), and Reagan--for all his foul-ups (and there were many)--still compares favorably with the current occupant of the White House. As Spitz quotes George Shultz, Reagan "appealed to people's best hopes, not their fears, to their confidence, rather than their doubts" (p. 760). Point taken.
Reagan's life has been recalled many times, and Spitz' really doesn't offer any new, startling information about it. Spitz' coverage of Reagan's 1976 and 1980 presidential races is perhaps the best I've read on those runs, and offers many useful insights into political campaigns and the bureaucratic infighting that characterize them.
There were a few surprises along the way, including Reagan's lukewarm relationship with Israel. After the Israeli-condoned massacres at the Sabra and Shtila refugee camps in Lebanon in 1982 (thanks, Ariel Sharon), Reagan was "livid" and read the riot act to Prime Minister Menachem Begin, going so far as to threaten a halt to all American support to the Jewish State (pp. 533-4). Later, Reagan would attempt to blame Israel for the whole Iran-Contra fiasco as a way to deflect his own responsibility (p. 679).
The fact that Reagan's first and second terms in office were often disastrous has been largely forgotten in the nostalgic haze of history. This is perfectly understandable, as Republicans in particular had precious few presidential heroes in the 20th century. Theodore Roosevelt made it to Mount Rushmore, but he divided the GOP in 1912, allowing only the second Democrat to become president since the Civil War. Eisenhower was a nominal Republican at best, and even ignoring Richard Nixon's ignominious resignation, many conservatives consider Dick to be the last liberal president. Harding was a disgrace, Coolidge was a non-entity, and Herbert Hoover will forever be the foil for the Great Depression. That leaves George H.W. "Read My Lips" Bush as the only other Republican president, a one-termer. So, who else is there to celebrate on the Republican side? You got it: Ronald Reagan.
Spitz neatly summarizes the Reagan-as-saint perspective:
As far as I am concerned, Reagan can never be forgiven for trading weapons for hostages held by the same people who murdered 239 Americans at the Beirut Airport in 1983 and then lying about it to the American people. Reagan was fully informed about the illegal arms-for-hostage deal and approved of it (p. 607). George Bush, too, was "in the loop," his subsequent denials notwithstanding, prompting Bud McFarlane to retort, "The hell [Bush] wasn't. He was up to his eyebrows in it. He supported it all the way" (p. 669).
Still, Reagan compares favorably to the current president of the United States, who, as promised above, makes a brief appearance in Reagan's life. In an attempt to lure American investors to Russia, Premier Mikhail ("Gorby") Gorbachev met with a group of U.S. businessmen at the White House in 1987. According to Spitz:
Reagan's life has been recalled many times, and Spitz' really doesn't offer any new, startling information about it. Spitz' coverage of Reagan's 1976 and 1980 presidential races is perhaps the best I've read on those runs, and offers many useful insights into political campaigns and the bureaucratic infighting that characterize them.
There were a few surprises along the way, including Reagan's lukewarm relationship with Israel. After the Israeli-condoned massacres at the Sabra and Shtila refugee camps in Lebanon in 1982 (thanks, Ariel Sharon), Reagan was "livid" and read the riot act to Prime Minister Menachem Begin, going so far as to threaten a halt to all American support to the Jewish State (pp. 533-4). Later, Reagan would attempt to blame Israel for the whole Iran-Contra fiasco as a way to deflect his own responsibility (p. 679).
The fact that Reagan's first and second terms in office were often disastrous has been largely forgotten in the nostalgic haze of history. This is perfectly understandable, as Republicans in particular had precious few presidential heroes in the 20th century. Theodore Roosevelt made it to Mount Rushmore, but he divided the GOP in 1912, allowing only the second Democrat to become president since the Civil War. Eisenhower was a nominal Republican at best, and even ignoring Richard Nixon's ignominious resignation, many conservatives consider Dick to be the last liberal president. Harding was a disgrace, Coolidge was a non-entity, and Herbert Hoover will forever be the foil for the Great Depression. That leaves George H.W. "Read My Lips" Bush as the only other Republican president, a one-termer. So, who else is there to celebrate on the Republican side? You got it: Ronald Reagan.
Spitz neatly summarizes the Reagan-as-saint perspective:
"As the president he rebuilt the American military, beat back inflation, appointed the first woman to the Supreme Court, cut the top personal tax rate from 70 to 28 percent, encouraged free trade, oversaw the creation of 16 million new jobs, and eventually produced a nuclear arms agreement with the Soviet Union and effectively ended the Cold War" (p.759).Even if one generously grants Reagan credit for accomplishing all these things by himself, there still remain a few demerits on his record. Spitz adds:
"[Reagan's] lack of empathy for those in desperate financial straits and for AIDS victims, the supply-side Reaganomics, the punitive "war on drugs," the reckless spending on the military, stratospheric budget deficits, the implausibility of the Strategic Defense Initiative, Bitburg [Cemetery visit], even Iran-Contra faded from memory as admirers eulogized Reagan in the weeks immediately following his death" (ibid).To that one might add the largest tax increase in U.S. history (p. 535)
As far as I am concerned, Reagan can never be forgiven for trading weapons for hostages held by the same people who murdered 239 Americans at the Beirut Airport in 1983 and then lying about it to the American people. Reagan was fully informed about the illegal arms-for-hostage deal and approved of it (p. 607). George Bush, too, was "in the loop," his subsequent denials notwithstanding, prompting Bud McFarlane to retort, "The hell [Bush] wasn't. He was up to his eyebrows in it. He supported it all the way" (p. 669).
Still, Reagan compares favorably to the current president of the United States, who, as promised above, makes a brief appearance in Reagan's life. In an attempt to lure American investors to Russia, Premier Mikhail ("Gorby") Gorbachev met with a group of U.S. businessmen at the White House in 1987. According to Spitz:
"Most members of the business community at the White House joined the Gorby lovefest. Only one holdout claimed he was still suspicious of Gorbachev and hoped Americans were not overly eager to deal with him. 'In the art of deal making,' said real-estate developer Donald Trump, 'you should not want to make the deal too much.' It was only after the Russian told Trump that he loved Trump Tower and invited him to build a hotel in Moscow that the New York real-estate magnate changed his tune" (p. 714).Hmmmmm. Hmmmmmm, indeed.
December 12, 2018
https://bestpresidentialbios.com/2018...
Published in late 2018, Bob Spitz’s “Reagan: An American Journey” is the most recently-published biography of Ronald Reagan. Spitz is a journalist and author whose previous best-selling books include “Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Child” and
“The Beatles: The Biography.” Spitz was previously a manager for Bruce Springsteen and Elton John.
At first glance, Spitz seems an unlikely presidential biographer. He is neither a journalist who spent decades closely covering his subject nor is he a historian with a predilection for writing. And yet Spitz has authored the most substantial – and possibly the most commendable – comprehensive, single-volume biography of Reagan I’ve read.
This 761-page tome is built upon a foundation of hundreds of interviews with Reagan’s family, friends and associates, access to his personal papers (granted by Nancy prior to her death in 2016) and insights provided by earlier biographers. Anyone curious about the scope of effort involved in undertaking a biography should consult Spitz’s “Acknowledgements.”
Spitz’s skills as a biographer are quickly clear. He is an extremely competent writer adept at holding a reader’s attention. Rarely satisfied just divulging facts, he often places the reader in a scene with vivid descriptions of the setting, the players and the drama. Though not quite as gifted as Caro or McCullough in this respect, Spitz clearly revels in creating a rich literary tapestry.
Reagan’s pre-presidency (nearly seven decades of his life) absorbs about 60 percent of the book and is the most valuable portion of the biography. Spitz provides one of the most detailed and interesting explorations of Reagan’s ancestry I’ve read anywhere, and Reagan’s childhood is no less revealing.
Jane Wyman and Nancy Davis receive marvelous multi-page introductions while several other supporting characters receive comparatively concise, but still enlightening, introductory attention. And Spitz describes Reagan’s involvement with the Screen Actors Guild in as colorful and comprehensible a way as I’ve seen.
Reagan’s public and personal lives each receive appropriate focus throughout the book. And even readers familiar with Reagan are likely to learn something new about his early years (though new details about young Dutch’s sex life seem gratuitous). Finally, Spitz approaches his subject with a remarkable sense of balance; there is no impression of political preference or prejudice…just the sense of a detached observer in pursuit of a compelling story.
The author’s instinct for analyzing and conveying Reagan’s youth and acting career is often excellent; the reader gains an excellent understanding for what happened (and often why) as well as the residual impact on Reagan’s later personality and character. But Spitz’s dexterity as a political analyst is less extraordinary, and his coverage of Reagan’s gubernatorial and presidential careers lacks the same degree of insight or wisdom.
Spitz does not provide the thorough examination of Reagan’s evolving political philosophy informed readers may expect. And while his review of Reagan’s governorship is competent, a notable billion-dollar tax hike is dispatched with a single sentence and Reagan’s 1970 opponent (“Big Daddy”) is never mentioned. Coverage of Reagan’s 1976 presidential campaign is too pithy and his remarkable (and impromptu) convention speech almost goes entirely unobserved.
Coverage of Reagan’s two-term presidency is satisfactory but unexceptional. Spitz is at his best when describing discrete events – such as the attempt on Reagan’s life – rather than legislative priorities or policy details. Finally, notable figures such as Margaret Thatcher and Mikhail Gorbachev receive disappointingly curt introductions…and the book contains an occasional careless error (such as substituting “million” for “billion”).
Overall, however, Bob Spitz’s “Reagan: An American Journey” proves to be a well-written and delightfully engaging biography of the 40th president. It is somewhat uneven in emphasis and anyone seeking special insight into Reagan’s political career may wish to supplement this book. But for readers in search of a captivating and comprehensive cradle-to-grave biography of Ronald Reagan, there may be no better place to turn.
Overall rating: 4¼ stars
Published in late 2018, Bob Spitz’s “Reagan: An American Journey” is the most recently-published biography of Ronald Reagan. Spitz is a journalist and author whose previous best-selling books include “Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Child” and
“The Beatles: The Biography.” Spitz was previously a manager for Bruce Springsteen and Elton John.
At first glance, Spitz seems an unlikely presidential biographer. He is neither a journalist who spent decades closely covering his subject nor is he a historian with a predilection for writing. And yet Spitz has authored the most substantial – and possibly the most commendable – comprehensive, single-volume biography of Reagan I’ve read.
This 761-page tome is built upon a foundation of hundreds of interviews with Reagan’s family, friends and associates, access to his personal papers (granted by Nancy prior to her death in 2016) and insights provided by earlier biographers. Anyone curious about the scope of effort involved in undertaking a biography should consult Spitz’s “Acknowledgements.”
Spitz’s skills as a biographer are quickly clear. He is an extremely competent writer adept at holding a reader’s attention. Rarely satisfied just divulging facts, he often places the reader in a scene with vivid descriptions of the setting, the players and the drama. Though not quite as gifted as Caro or McCullough in this respect, Spitz clearly revels in creating a rich literary tapestry.
Reagan’s pre-presidency (nearly seven decades of his life) absorbs about 60 percent of the book and is the most valuable portion of the biography. Spitz provides one of the most detailed and interesting explorations of Reagan’s ancestry I’ve read anywhere, and Reagan’s childhood is no less revealing.
Jane Wyman and Nancy Davis receive marvelous multi-page introductions while several other supporting characters receive comparatively concise, but still enlightening, introductory attention. And Spitz describes Reagan’s involvement with the Screen Actors Guild in as colorful and comprehensible a way as I’ve seen.
Reagan’s public and personal lives each receive appropriate focus throughout the book. And even readers familiar with Reagan are likely to learn something new about his early years (though new details about young Dutch’s sex life seem gratuitous). Finally, Spitz approaches his subject with a remarkable sense of balance; there is no impression of political preference or prejudice…just the sense of a detached observer in pursuit of a compelling story.
The author’s instinct for analyzing and conveying Reagan’s youth and acting career is often excellent; the reader gains an excellent understanding for what happened (and often why) as well as the residual impact on Reagan’s later personality and character. But Spitz’s dexterity as a political analyst is less extraordinary, and his coverage of Reagan’s gubernatorial and presidential careers lacks the same degree of insight or wisdom.
Spitz does not provide the thorough examination of Reagan’s evolving political philosophy informed readers may expect. And while his review of Reagan’s governorship is competent, a notable billion-dollar tax hike is dispatched with a single sentence and Reagan’s 1970 opponent (“Big Daddy”) is never mentioned. Coverage of Reagan’s 1976 presidential campaign is too pithy and his remarkable (and impromptu) convention speech almost goes entirely unobserved.
Coverage of Reagan’s two-term presidency is satisfactory but unexceptional. Spitz is at his best when describing discrete events – such as the attempt on Reagan’s life – rather than legislative priorities or policy details. Finally, notable figures such as Margaret Thatcher and Mikhail Gorbachev receive disappointingly curt introductions…and the book contains an occasional careless error (such as substituting “million” for “billion”).
Overall, however, Bob Spitz’s “Reagan: An American Journey” proves to be a well-written and delightfully engaging biography of the 40th president. It is somewhat uneven in emphasis and anyone seeking special insight into Reagan’s political career may wish to supplement this book. But for readers in search of a captivating and comprehensive cradle-to-grave biography of Ronald Reagan, there may be no better place to turn.
Overall rating: 4¼ stars
May 2, 2019
I am a military brat who grew up during the Reagan era in West Germany. I grew up with a certain level of respect for Reagan.
While I am a history buff, I tend to avoid modern history (anything within the past 50 years) as it can be too political. It is very hard to separate oneself from one’s subject when you (or your parents) experienced it.
That being said, I have been looking for a solid history on Reagan for a while.
This book does a good job at illuminating who Ronald Reagan was---from his humble upbringing, to his working as a lifeguard, to his “earning” athletic scholarships for college. While I knew he had been married before Nancy, I did not really know Jane Wyman. Nor did I know why that marriage failed. Now I do.
While I knew that he was a successful actor, I did not know how successful (or mediocre) he was. Now I do. While I knew that he was the president of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), I did not know how he achieved that or what it meant for his future. Now I do.
Spitz does a good job at explaining who Reagan was what motivated him. His strengths and weaknesses. His involvement with the House Un-American Committee (HUAC). His testimony before the House---where the phrase “selective amnesia” was first used in conjunction with Reagan.
Nor did I understand his conversion from Democrat to Republican. While I was familiar with it, and knew about his role with Nixon, I did not know about his support of Barry Goldwater.
These are all aspects of his life that Spitz covers.
The last third of the book deals with his presidency. A large portion of that focuses on the Iran-Contra Affair and his dealings with Russian Premier Gorbachev. This is the area where the book is a little more controversial.
Like any good biography, it is neither pure praise nor criticism. Spitz did not present Reagan as a the brightest president ever, but did talk about how he surrounded himself with capable men who helped him along the way. Reagan, “the Great Communicator”, succeeded because he knew how to relate to Americans.
This is a solid 4, perhaps a weak 5.
While I am a history buff, I tend to avoid modern history (anything within the past 50 years) as it can be too political. It is very hard to separate oneself from one’s subject when you (or your parents) experienced it.
That being said, I have been looking for a solid history on Reagan for a while.
This book does a good job at illuminating who Ronald Reagan was---from his humble upbringing, to his working as a lifeguard, to his “earning” athletic scholarships for college. While I knew he had been married before Nancy, I did not really know Jane Wyman. Nor did I know why that marriage failed. Now I do.
While I knew that he was a successful actor, I did not know how successful (or mediocre) he was. Now I do. While I knew that he was the president of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), I did not know how he achieved that or what it meant for his future. Now I do.
Spitz does a good job at explaining who Reagan was what motivated him. His strengths and weaknesses. His involvement with the House Un-American Committee (HUAC). His testimony before the House---where the phrase “selective amnesia” was first used in conjunction with Reagan.
Nor did I understand his conversion from Democrat to Republican. While I was familiar with it, and knew about his role with Nixon, I did not know about his support of Barry Goldwater.
These are all aspects of his life that Spitz covers.
The last third of the book deals with his presidency. A large portion of that focuses on the Iran-Contra Affair and his dealings with Russian Premier Gorbachev. This is the area where the book is a little more controversial.
Like any good biography, it is neither pure praise nor criticism. Spitz did not present Reagan as a the brightest president ever, but did talk about how he surrounded himself with capable men who helped him along the way. Reagan, “the Great Communicator”, succeeded because he knew how to relate to Americans.
This is a solid 4, perhaps a weak 5.
October 22, 2021
Author Bob Spitz is a celebrity biographer, not a political historian. Yet his approach to Reagan’s life works well. Reagan was a celebrity first and a politician second, and Spitz captures the drama of Reagan and his bigger-than-life image in this well-paced narrative. Spitz shines when covering Reagan’s early years and Hollywood career. Spitz’s lack of political chops does become apparent in his treatment of Reagan’s political years, though. While Reagan, the man, comes through clearly on every page, his policies and philosophy are dealt with more unevenly and with less substance. Still, this is an excellent biography overall, and provides great insight into the life of one of America’s most popular presidents.
January 19, 2019
A couple of things about this biography of Ronald Reagan. First, Mr Spitz is fairly thorough in covering the span of President Reagan life. Second, it is obvious that he is not a fan of one of our most popular presidents. His narration of the problems in the eight years of President Reagan’s time in office take chapters, while the good he did in his time is finished in paragraphs. “Voodoo Economics” was a failure, but, as the author admits, unemployment and inflation were reduced significantly. At the end of the book the author tries to explain the impact President Reagan had on our country and its people, but again falls short of the mark.
January 25, 2021
A good biography of an historical figure, especially a long biography, should answer the following questions.
Why is the subject worthy of a biography?
What contributions did the subject make to history?
Why did the author spend years of his life researching and writing the biography?
Why should the reader spend hours of time reading the biography, especially since there are so many other good biographies -- and good books -- to read?
What insights can the author provide that have never before been provided about the subject?
In sum, a good biographer has a thesis, is insightful, writes with a sense of drama, and not only knows much about the subject but, most importantly, UNDERSTANDS the subject!
This is not a good biography. Spitz clearly did his research and conveys many facts, but he provides no insight into how and why Reagan became the man that he did. Although Spitz writes clearly and well, there is no drama in this book.
I read the first 100 pages, and then just read what I wanted.
If you really want to understand Ronald Reagan, then read “When Character was King” by Peggy Noonan!
Why is the subject worthy of a biography?
What contributions did the subject make to history?
Why did the author spend years of his life researching and writing the biography?
Why should the reader spend hours of time reading the biography, especially since there are so many other good biographies -- and good books -- to read?
What insights can the author provide that have never before been provided about the subject?
In sum, a good biographer has a thesis, is insightful, writes with a sense of drama, and not only knows much about the subject but, most importantly, UNDERSTANDS the subject!
This is not a good biography. Spitz clearly did his research and conveys many facts, but he provides no insight into how and why Reagan became the man that he did. Although Spitz writes clearly and well, there is no drama in this book.
I read the first 100 pages, and then just read what I wanted.
If you really want to understand Ronald Reagan, then read “When Character was King” by Peggy Noonan!
December 10, 2023
After the first 10 hours of the audiobook, I more or less enjoyed it. My beef is that it was too long for how much it only skimmed over and had too much storytelling flair for my taste.
This'll be my last Presidential biography I read in my "starting with FDR and going forward" crawl - I think it's getting too close to present day to be unbiased and I figure it'll only get worse. Plus some of those mfs are still alive 😳
Circling back to John Adams next!
This'll be my last Presidential biography I read in my "starting with FDR and going forward" crawl - I think it's getting too close to present day to be unbiased and I figure it'll only get worse. Plus some of those mfs are still alive 😳
Circling back to John Adams next!
July 28, 2019
Comprehensive. There was probably more of the young Dutch than I needed but once we got into Hollywood and the politics the level of detail was a huge plus. The account is very balanced. He calls out Reagan's failures and states his critics both past and present cases. He also gives credit where credit is due. Then other times just presents the case and lets the reader decide.
July 26, 2024
Wowzers! What a biography. While I'm not a fan of Reagan myself I will say I understand why people like to look up to him despite the mess he made. He was a people person. He knew how to play an audience, and he just had this presence that seemed to put people at ease. In tumultuous times like this, the smile of Ronald Reagan and his idealistic way of speak, is a great balm to the populous. Now, that being said, I can't say he was a good politician because I don't think he was. I also don't see him as a good family man. He is, however, a part of our history, and I think it's best to understand him in context and not through myths and nostalgia. This was a good book for that.
December 31, 2018
Kevin Williamson at National Review thought this book was unreadable. I think he panned it in a review somewhere. I won’t go that far. It’s certainly not the best of the Reagan biographies, but it’s thorough and I found quite fair, though the author is obviously of the left, and leaves out the economic miracle of the 1980s. He takes you chronologically through Reagan’s life, his mid-western Illinois upbringing, Eureka College, then to Des Moines on the radio, to Hollywood and the movies, president of the Screen Actor’s Guild, GE theater on TV, Governor of California, the presidency, and finally into the sunset of retirement.
One story he recounts, that I don’t believe I’ve read before, is Regan’s college sweetheart, Margaret Cleaver, disappearing for a semester from Eureka College, supposedly enrolled at the University of Illinois. Only there’s no record of it. The author quotes a college official who speculated “she could have gone away to have a child—or an abortion.” Hmmm….I’m sure this would have come out before now, but I’m not sure. It’s a long read, but if you enjoy presidential history, it’s worthwhile. It’s certainly not where I’d start with Reagan biographies, but if you have read others, it’s a great tour through an amazing life, with an incredibly sad ending—that he wouldn’t be able to recall all the memories from it.
One story he recounts, that I don’t believe I’ve read before, is Regan’s college sweetheart, Margaret Cleaver, disappearing for a semester from Eureka College, supposedly enrolled at the University of Illinois. Only there’s no record of it. The author quotes a college official who speculated “she could have gone away to have a child—or an abortion.” Hmmm….I’m sure this would have come out before now, but I’m not sure. It’s a long read, but if you enjoy presidential history, it’s worthwhile. It’s certainly not where I’d start with Reagan biographies, but if you have read others, it’s a great tour through an amazing life, with an incredibly sad ending—that he wouldn’t be able to recall all the memories from it.
May 15, 2019
There is a some good information in this book, but the author's political biases are overwhelming and taint the biography. Much of the bias shows in the choice of what was included and what was not included, as well as which topics were given emphasis. The book is filled with opinion, factual errors, and inaccurate representations.
It felt as if the author was trying to destroy Reagan's image. In places, if it served the purpose of portraying Reagan as Evil, he is characterized as an absolute genius. In contrast, most of the book portrayed Reagan as a doddering fool who never read anything but Reader's digest, and could not think for himself. He was a lousy actor, but well liked because he was a great actor.
In this book, Ronald Reagan's follies and foibles are exaggerated while his skills and accomplishments are minimized.
It felt as if the author was trying to destroy Reagan's image. In places, if it served the purpose of portraying Reagan as Evil, he is characterized as an absolute genius. In contrast, most of the book portrayed Reagan as a doddering fool who never read anything but Reader's digest, and could not think for himself. He was a lousy actor, but well liked because he was a great actor.
In this book, Ronald Reagan's follies and foibles are exaggerated while his skills and accomplishments are minimized.
November 27, 2018
A three-star treatment of a five-star President. I enjoyed the book while finding it uneven in quality. For example, Spitz covers the CA gubernatorial race and the assassination attempt superbly, but his grasp of economics is weak, and it shows. A worthwhile read, but I’ll also dig into Lou Cannon’s works to seek a better read on my favorite President.
September 19, 2020
Bob Spitz's Reagan: An American Journey is a thoroughly interesting and paced view of his life, beginning with his humble birth in the Midwest through to Hollywood and into politics. If you are looking for an in-depth understanding of his presidential years or his Reaganomics, this might not be the book for you. But if you are looking to gain insight into who Reagan was and the choices he made, in his career and in his presidency, and how he charmed America, read on.
He began life the second son of a gregarious alcoholic father and a highly religious do-gooder mother, who both enjoyed amateur acting. Reagan appeared first on the stage as a toddler who played a dying baby in his mother's arms. It was while in college (a TKE frat bro, for those interested) that he had his real taste of the adulation of the stage, when he brought the house down in the deliverance of a motion in a strike of the students against the college president, his first blend of acting and politics.
Radio was developing as an medium, and Dutch (as he was called) became popular as a baseball announcer, describing and often embellishing the play-by-play action that was pure entertainment. From there he stepped up to Hollywood, usually playing himself as a fresh-faced handsome supporting actor in B movies. He was certain he had A movie status in him, but it never happened, being type-cast as he was. About the closest he came was as George Gipp, the paralyzed football player that motivated Knute Rockne's team against a bigger, stronger opponent. I can honestly say that I have never seen him in a movie, though, as Spitz writes, he was friends with all of the big names in Hollywood. He marries Jane Wyman, another B movie actress (at the time), and their marriage was scripted by their producers to highlight the studio and their movies. Perhaps great for the movies, perhaps not so great for their marriage.
On screen, Ron was learning the medium of acting, how the turn of the head or the turn of a phrase, could woo an audience. Off screen, he was talking...and talking so more, on any subject to anyone who would listen. He loved politics, was a New Dealer democrat like his father, and would debate anyone who was willing to take up the challenge.
World War II intervenes, and due to his eye sight, his participation was limited, until they relocated him to the movies. He participated in training and propaganda war films. He wore his uniform everywhere and became Hollywood's very visible American soldier.
After the war, he continued to reach for star status. While not wowing movie fans, his fellow actors recognize his political abilities and elect him as President of the Screen Guild Association, a role he thoroughly embraced. It was a tricky time in America. The Cold War was on, and there were communists behind every tree, and nowhere more so than in Hollywood. Reagan proudly named names, and appeared before the investigating committee in Washington.
His new role in the SGA took him away from home, adding stress to his marriage. Then Jane Wyman hit the A list with The Lost Weekend (an interesting film by Billy Wilder) and eventually a lead role in The Yearling. Ron and Jane continue to drift apart and eventually divorce. So here is Ron, charming, handsome, playing the field with women, and stagnant in Hollywood.
Enter Nancy Davis, stage right, a so-so actress that never makes the big time, but adores Ronnie. Movie roles are beginning to dry up, and Ron realizes he needs to supplement his income. Television is now in competition with the movies, and Ron makes the leap that many movie actors snubbed, a charming face introducing a weekly show called the General Electric Theater. He was seen each week in as many homes as had a TV, giving him wide visibility. Being the face of the show was only part of his job for GE. He became their spokesman, traveling throughout the country, visiting GE plants and talking with everyday people about their problems, spinning an optimistic, white picket fence vision of how great America is (and promoting GE at the same time). His acting ability to connect with people to make them feel that he really understands them became the spring board for him into politics.
California elects him as their governor, though he is absolutely ignorant of the machinations of government. Ron speaks in broad terms of strong moral ideals, developed from years of reading Readers' Digest, ideals that the average guy embraces. He talks in platitudes, and embellished tales of hard-working families who struggle because of Big Government, muscling in on their hard-earned income. You see, he is now a Republican. The shift parallels his increasing salary in his Hollywood years and its resultant increase in taxes. He is no longer a New Dealer promoting government to come to the rescue, but rather the Big Hand of government impinging on your rights. Ron does all the talking, and leaves much of the work of government to his underlings, a method he carriers right into the White House.
President of the United States (the oldest man elected as president...up til now??!?), Ronald Reagan has finally make it into the A movies!. His presidency reads like a wild movie script, replete with highs (the stagflation of the previous 20 years is overcome, arms reduction and détente with Russia - Mr. Gorbachov, tear down this wall!), lows (the Iran-Contra arms for hostages fiasco that reads like chapter two of Watergate, the AIDS epidemic, ERA), villians (Spitz paints Nancy Reagan with her astrologer Quigley as a controlling demanding wicked witch), an assassination attempt (Hinckley attempts to shoot Reagan to win the love of Jodie Foster) and even science fiction with the Star Wars defense that will place a space bubble over the US to prevent any attacks.
Sadly, the hero of the script fades into the sunset, quite literally for Reagan as he succumbs to Alzheimer's, inherited from his family, the effects of which were beginning to surface in his second term with intermittent confusion and generalized fogginess in speech and behavior.
In retrospect, Ronald Reagan was not a brilliant man, was not adept at crafting policy or managing government, but he played his consummate role as an optimist leader that made every American believe in himself and in America. Win this one for the Gipper!
He began life the second son of a gregarious alcoholic father and a highly religious do-gooder mother, who both enjoyed amateur acting. Reagan appeared first on the stage as a toddler who played a dying baby in his mother's arms. It was while in college (a TKE frat bro, for those interested) that he had his real taste of the adulation of the stage, when he brought the house down in the deliverance of a motion in a strike of the students against the college president, his first blend of acting and politics.
Radio was developing as an medium, and Dutch (as he was called) became popular as a baseball announcer, describing and often embellishing the play-by-play action that was pure entertainment. From there he stepped up to Hollywood, usually playing himself as a fresh-faced handsome supporting actor in B movies. He was certain he had A movie status in him, but it never happened, being type-cast as he was. About the closest he came was as George Gipp, the paralyzed football player that motivated Knute Rockne's team against a bigger, stronger opponent. I can honestly say that I have never seen him in a movie, though, as Spitz writes, he was friends with all of the big names in Hollywood. He marries Jane Wyman, another B movie actress (at the time), and their marriage was scripted by their producers to highlight the studio and their movies. Perhaps great for the movies, perhaps not so great for their marriage.
On screen, Ron was learning the medium of acting, how the turn of the head or the turn of a phrase, could woo an audience. Off screen, he was talking...and talking so more, on any subject to anyone who would listen. He loved politics, was a New Dealer democrat like his father, and would debate anyone who was willing to take up the challenge.
World War II intervenes, and due to his eye sight, his participation was limited, until they relocated him to the movies. He participated in training and propaganda war films. He wore his uniform everywhere and became Hollywood's very visible American soldier.
After the war, he continued to reach for star status. While not wowing movie fans, his fellow actors recognize his political abilities and elect him as President of the Screen Guild Association, a role he thoroughly embraced. It was a tricky time in America. The Cold War was on, and there were communists behind every tree, and nowhere more so than in Hollywood. Reagan proudly named names, and appeared before the investigating committee in Washington.
His new role in the SGA took him away from home, adding stress to his marriage. Then Jane Wyman hit the A list with The Lost Weekend (an interesting film by Billy Wilder) and eventually a lead role in The Yearling. Ron and Jane continue to drift apart and eventually divorce. So here is Ron, charming, handsome, playing the field with women, and stagnant in Hollywood.
Enter Nancy Davis, stage right, a so-so actress that never makes the big time, but adores Ronnie. Movie roles are beginning to dry up, and Ron realizes he needs to supplement his income. Television is now in competition with the movies, and Ron makes the leap that many movie actors snubbed, a charming face introducing a weekly show called the General Electric Theater. He was seen each week in as many homes as had a TV, giving him wide visibility. Being the face of the show was only part of his job for GE. He became their spokesman, traveling throughout the country, visiting GE plants and talking with everyday people about their problems, spinning an optimistic, white picket fence vision of how great America is (and promoting GE at the same time). His acting ability to connect with people to make them feel that he really understands them became the spring board for him into politics.
California elects him as their governor, though he is absolutely ignorant of the machinations of government. Ron speaks in broad terms of strong moral ideals, developed from years of reading Readers' Digest, ideals that the average guy embraces. He talks in platitudes, and embellished tales of hard-working families who struggle because of Big Government, muscling in on their hard-earned income. You see, he is now a Republican. The shift parallels his increasing salary in his Hollywood years and its resultant increase in taxes. He is no longer a New Dealer promoting government to come to the rescue, but rather the Big Hand of government impinging on your rights. Ron does all the talking, and leaves much of the work of government to his underlings, a method he carriers right into the White House.
President of the United States (the oldest man elected as president...up til now??!?), Ronald Reagan has finally make it into the A movies!. His presidency reads like a wild movie script, replete with highs (the stagflation of the previous 20 years is overcome, arms reduction and détente with Russia - Mr. Gorbachov, tear down this wall!), lows (the Iran-Contra arms for hostages fiasco that reads like chapter two of Watergate, the AIDS epidemic, ERA), villians (Spitz paints Nancy Reagan with her astrologer Quigley as a controlling demanding wicked witch), an assassination attempt (Hinckley attempts to shoot Reagan to win the love of Jodie Foster) and even science fiction with the Star Wars defense that will place a space bubble over the US to prevent any attacks.
Sadly, the hero of the script fades into the sunset, quite literally for Reagan as he succumbs to Alzheimer's, inherited from his family, the effects of which were beginning to surface in his second term with intermittent confusion and generalized fogginess in speech and behavior.
In retrospect, Ronald Reagan was not a brilliant man, was not adept at crafting policy or managing government, but he played his consummate role as an optimist leader that made every American believe in himself and in America. Win this one for the Gipper!
September 25, 2018
The accomplished and talented author of the best-selling Julia Child biography “Dearie,” turns his attention to detail and story-telling skills to the subject of Ronald “Dutch” Reagan. Conducting exhaustive interviews over a five-year period and with access to previous unavailable documents, Spitz paints a detailed picture of one of America’s most iconic presidents with a writing style that feels more like novel than non-fiction. He deftly moves us through time with detailed descriptions, taking us from "Dutch's" hardscrabble early days with a drunken and often unemployed father to his beginnings as a local radio announcer. Vivid scenes and dialogue move us through Hollywood and his first marriage, to meeting Nancy, Reagan's growing interest in politics and then the ultimate prize-- president of the most powerful nation in the world. Spitz writes movingly about Reagan's courageous announcement of his Alzheimer's diagnosis at the end of his life. At a time in politics where the world feels cleaved into extremes, this poignant and well-written book is a reminder that great statesman can often transcend bi-partisan ship and lead.
August 8, 2019
One reviewer below calls this biography, "A three-star treatment of a five-star President," but I'm going to call it a five-star treatment of a one-star President. Spitz has written as unbiased a look at Reagan as I think is possible, revealing a very likable man who should never have been President. Reagan's shortcomings, mistakes, and ineptitude live on through most of what is wrong with the country today - his real legacy.
July 19, 2022
Reagan's probably the least fascinating American president I've read in the last few months.
October 24, 2025
3.75 Stars
After the first 250 pages I was disappointed with (imo) the excessive time spent on the discussion of Reagan & wife Nancy’s ancestry as well as a ‘gossipy’ review of his movie career & first wife Jane Wyman’s whining. (one exception was an interesting look at the movie industry’s ‘studio system’ where actors were essentially indentured servants)
But then this bio blossomed into a cautiously balanced look at Reagan’s political career. The author is never too fawning or too critical. Highlights:
(1) In his early thirties, Reagan is elected president of the Screen Actors Guild and learns valuable experience in the art of politics. Originally a New Deal Democrat, he avidly supports the concept of unions.
(2) Upon waking up in recovery following his assassination attempt, Reagan demonstrates his appealing sense of humor w/these quotes: “Send me to LA where I can see the air I’m breathing”…”I’d like to do this scene over again, starting at the hotel”..” If I had this much attention in Hollywood, I would have stayed there”
(3) Great discussion of the Iran/Contra affair, Reagan’s one big black mark on his presidency. The author describes the complicated actions in detail yet allows the reader to gain a grasp of the big picture. Motivated by a desire to free hostages in Lebanon, Reagan authorized illegal sale of arms to Iran through Israel acting as intermediary. What he didn’t realize was that several of his ‘people’ (Oliver North & John Poindexter mainly) conducted a secret op to funnel money from those arms sales to the Contras, a rebel group fighting communism in Nicaragua. Reagan’s ‘hands off’ approach to his administration (similar to Grant’s administration) led to the ensuing uproar which nearly got him impeached.
(4) Reagan’s major accomplishments were: rebuilding military, reducing inflation, appointing 1st female justice of Supreme Court (O’Conner), cut top personal tax rate from 70% to 28%, promoted free trade, produced nuclear arms treaty w/Soviet Union, effectively ended Cold War, & created many new jobs
(5) Major failures/weaknesses: ignored AIDS epidemic until his post presidency, Iran Contra affair, intra administration chaos among advisors from his hands off approach, which undoubtedly restricted his achievements, lack of empathy for poor due to his philosophy of pulling oneself up by their bootstraps (as he personally did), tremendous budget deficits driven by tax cuts/military spending
Great quotes from various people:
Author quote on Reagan running for governor: “His glossy surface camouflaged gift for plain speech that stirred deep emotions”
Author on RR’s popularity (1984 landslide re-election)-“People of both parties identified w/him, inspired by his optimism & felt he was honest, despite any specific missteps.
Tip O’Neil: “RR was the best public speaker he’d ever seen” (but refused to credit him w/anything more than magnetic stage presence) “ He lacked most of management skill that a president needs, but let me give his due: he would have made a hell of a king.”
Time magazine-“He had a moral clarity that framed political choices in terms of core beliefs “
George Schultz: “He appealed to people’s best hopes, not their fear, to their confidence rather than their doubts”
There’s a lot more depth in this bio than this review covers ( like Nancy’s strong influence and protectiveness of Reagan and her clashes with his advisors) but the one resounding theme about Reagan is: “He was simply a good man”. The country could sorely use another ‘good man’ right about now.
After the first 250 pages I was disappointed with (imo) the excessive time spent on the discussion of Reagan & wife Nancy’s ancestry as well as a ‘gossipy’ review of his movie career & first wife Jane Wyman’s whining. (one exception was an interesting look at the movie industry’s ‘studio system’ where actors were essentially indentured servants)
But then this bio blossomed into a cautiously balanced look at Reagan’s political career. The author is never too fawning or too critical. Highlights:
(1) In his early thirties, Reagan is elected president of the Screen Actors Guild and learns valuable experience in the art of politics. Originally a New Deal Democrat, he avidly supports the concept of unions.
(2) Upon waking up in recovery following his assassination attempt, Reagan demonstrates his appealing sense of humor w/these quotes: “Send me to LA where I can see the air I’m breathing”…”I’d like to do this scene over again, starting at the hotel”..” If I had this much attention in Hollywood, I would have stayed there”
(3) Great discussion of the Iran/Contra affair, Reagan’s one big black mark on his presidency. The author describes the complicated actions in detail yet allows the reader to gain a grasp of the big picture. Motivated by a desire to free hostages in Lebanon, Reagan authorized illegal sale of arms to Iran through Israel acting as intermediary. What he didn’t realize was that several of his ‘people’ (Oliver North & John Poindexter mainly) conducted a secret op to funnel money from those arms sales to the Contras, a rebel group fighting communism in Nicaragua. Reagan’s ‘hands off’ approach to his administration (similar to Grant’s administration) led to the ensuing uproar which nearly got him impeached.
(4) Reagan’s major accomplishments were: rebuilding military, reducing inflation, appointing 1st female justice of Supreme Court (O’Conner), cut top personal tax rate from 70% to 28%, promoted free trade, produced nuclear arms treaty w/Soviet Union, effectively ended Cold War, & created many new jobs
(5) Major failures/weaknesses: ignored AIDS epidemic until his post presidency, Iran Contra affair, intra administration chaos among advisors from his hands off approach, which undoubtedly restricted his achievements, lack of empathy for poor due to his philosophy of pulling oneself up by their bootstraps (as he personally did), tremendous budget deficits driven by tax cuts/military spending
Great quotes from various people:
Author quote on Reagan running for governor: “His glossy surface camouflaged gift for plain speech that stirred deep emotions”
Author on RR’s popularity (1984 landslide re-election)-“People of both parties identified w/him, inspired by his optimism & felt he was honest, despite any specific missteps.
Tip O’Neil: “RR was the best public speaker he’d ever seen” (but refused to credit him w/anything more than magnetic stage presence) “ He lacked most of management skill that a president needs, but let me give his due: he would have made a hell of a king.”
Time magazine-“He had a moral clarity that framed political choices in terms of core beliefs “
George Schultz: “He appealed to people’s best hopes, not their fear, to their confidence rather than their doubts”
There’s a lot more depth in this bio than this review covers ( like Nancy’s strong influence and protectiveness of Reagan and her clashes with his advisors) but the one resounding theme about Reagan is: “He was simply a good man”. The country could sorely use another ‘good man’ right about now.
September 11, 2022
I love biographies as much for being histories as being stories about individuals. Reagan is a poignant example, retelling a period of U.S. history when I was beginning to care about the nation and world around me.
Spitz's work isn't an in-depth examination of the Reagan presidency or of his years as California governor. He generally doesn't provide insights into the back-and-forth negotiations behind key legislation or policy decisions, and that makes sense because that's not where Reagan made his mark. His hand wasn't on the wheel, he let others do the actual driving. More than once in the book, he is quoted saying, "make X happen, whatever it takes."
Unfortunately, Reagan surrounded himself with people who had no moral compass, no idea of right and wrong, people like Oliver North. But he also was aided by people who did know what was right and wrong, and chose wrong anyway, people like Bud McFarlane.
But behind it all was still Ronald Reagan, who simply put, should have been impeached for the crimes of the Iran-Contra scandal. He approved it, he lied about it, he obstructed the investigation of it.
We have this rosy image of Reagan, the warm old grandfather who was optimistic and believed in the American way, blah-blah-blah, but his problem was that he lacked empathy for people not like himself. He demonized people on welfare —repeatedly raising the specter of welfare queens — despite the fact they were rare and far between, if they existed at all. He undermined federal health officials' efforts to address the AIDS crisis, dooming thousands of people to horrible deaths, and didn't come around to the cause until after he was out of office and he learned that the disease could also affect heterosexual people through blood transfusions and babies through breastmilk.
I'm proud that I grew up in a household that never fell for the Reagan bullshit, especially as we're seeing the longterm effects of Reagan policies on the environment, widening income gaps, and political discourse.
P.S. And I had no idea all that crazy shit about Nancy Reagan was true: she adjusted the president's calendar — even summit events with the Soviets! — based on what her astrologist dictated. She harried cabinet secretaries, chiefs of staff, and aides to get people fired, get people hired, and change policies she didn't like.
Spitz's work isn't an in-depth examination of the Reagan presidency or of his years as California governor. He generally doesn't provide insights into the back-and-forth negotiations behind key legislation or policy decisions, and that makes sense because that's not where Reagan made his mark. His hand wasn't on the wheel, he let others do the actual driving. More than once in the book, he is quoted saying, "make X happen, whatever it takes."
Unfortunately, Reagan surrounded himself with people who had no moral compass, no idea of right and wrong, people like Oliver North. But he also was aided by people who did know what was right and wrong, and chose wrong anyway, people like Bud McFarlane.
But behind it all was still Ronald Reagan, who simply put, should have been impeached for the crimes of the Iran-Contra scandal. He approved it, he lied about it, he obstructed the investigation of it.
We have this rosy image of Reagan, the warm old grandfather who was optimistic and believed in the American way, blah-blah-blah, but his problem was that he lacked empathy for people not like himself. He demonized people on welfare —repeatedly raising the specter of welfare queens — despite the fact they were rare and far between, if they existed at all. He undermined federal health officials' efforts to address the AIDS crisis, dooming thousands of people to horrible deaths, and didn't come around to the cause until after he was out of office and he learned that the disease could also affect heterosexual people through blood transfusions and babies through breastmilk.
I'm proud that I grew up in a household that never fell for the Reagan bullshit, especially as we're seeing the longterm effects of Reagan policies on the environment, widening income gaps, and political discourse.
P.S. And I had no idea all that crazy shit about Nancy Reagan was true: she adjusted the president's calendar — even summit events with the Soviets! — based on what her astrologist dictated. She harried cabinet secretaries, chiefs of staff, and aides to get people fired, get people hired, and change policies she didn't like.
January 25, 2023
Thank you Penguin Random House Audio for the free audiobook.
This is an excellent biography of Ronald Reagan's public life, but somewhat at the expense of his private life. There's very little consideration of the emotional impact of his parents' troubled marriage, and by the same token very little discussion of Reagan's relationships with his own children. Nancy Reagan comes into the story as a public figure, but Spitz doesn't fully track the transition from the Reagans' efficient early relationship and the extraordinarily intimate bond they finally achieved. (Read The Triumph of Nancy Reagan to fill in the gaps.)
Spitz is fairly defensive regarding Reagan's racial attitudes, and also on his attitudes towards the AIDS crisis. While far from a hagiography, this is still a fairly glowing portrait of a man who, we are to believe, ultimately meant well. Don't we all.
Where the author is strongest is in the way he paints a picture of the world through which Reagan moves, deftly describing the Midwest cities where he grew up, explaining the radio world where Reagan found his voice, and contextualizing the import (or, sometimes, lack thereof) of his choices as commander-in-chief. The specter of communism also emerges as the crucial cultural pivot point that saw Reagan turn to the staunch conservatism the former liberal — and many of his later acolytes — proved very ready to embrace.
Huge props to audiobook narrator Paul Michael, who despite the herculean length of this manuscript makes clear that he's given careful consideration to the intonation of every last sentence, phrase, and word. It's a bravura performance.
This is an excellent biography of Ronald Reagan's public life, but somewhat at the expense of his private life. There's very little consideration of the emotional impact of his parents' troubled marriage, and by the same token very little discussion of Reagan's relationships with his own children. Nancy Reagan comes into the story as a public figure, but Spitz doesn't fully track the transition from the Reagans' efficient early relationship and the extraordinarily intimate bond they finally achieved. (Read The Triumph of Nancy Reagan to fill in the gaps.)
Spitz is fairly defensive regarding Reagan's racial attitudes, and also on his attitudes towards the AIDS crisis. While far from a hagiography, this is still a fairly glowing portrait of a man who, we are to believe, ultimately meant well. Don't we all.
Where the author is strongest is in the way he paints a picture of the world through which Reagan moves, deftly describing the Midwest cities where he grew up, explaining the radio world where Reagan found his voice, and contextualizing the import (or, sometimes, lack thereof) of his choices as commander-in-chief. The specter of communism also emerges as the crucial cultural pivot point that saw Reagan turn to the staunch conservatism the former liberal — and many of his later acolytes — proved very ready to embrace.
Huge props to audiobook narrator Paul Michael, who despite the herculean length of this manuscript makes clear that he's given careful consideration to the intonation of every last sentence, phrase, and word. It's a bravura performance.
August 12, 2021
I'm working on elevating my trivia skills so I have committed to learning more about American presidents. I figured a good place to start would be with the guy running the show in the legendary year of 1987.
It is worth noting, in these times of heightened political absurdity, that Bob Spitz is a professional biographer.....but he's not a major political analyst or historian. His other works are on the Beatles, Julia Child, Woodstock etc. This is a book about Reagan's life, the STORY of Reagan. I'm sure 800 page books exist breaking down Reaganomics or Iran/Contra...….this is not that book.
That said - what a story this is! The life of Reagan is actually a story that is full of smaller, super interesting stories of America. You get the American midwest in the 20's and depression, you get Hollywood during the studio era and red scare, you get the Cold War, governorship and presidency. There is a lot of American history packed into the background of this man's life.
I found this to be a very entertaining read. Spitz really walks you through how Reagan became the Reagan he was in the White House, for better or for worse depending on your own personal political views. You really see how his personal experiences shaped his worldview. I thought that Spitz did a good job of just presenting Reagan without personal bias. He was clearly a strongly gifted communicator and it is easy to understand how he became the hero of the conservative faction of the Republican party. It is likewise easy to see his mistakes and left leaning readers will certainly not be cheering on many of his points of view.
It is worth noting, in these times of heightened political absurdity, that Bob Spitz is a professional biographer.....but he's not a major political analyst or historian. His other works are on the Beatles, Julia Child, Woodstock etc. This is a book about Reagan's life, the STORY of Reagan. I'm sure 800 page books exist breaking down Reaganomics or Iran/Contra...….this is not that book.
That said - what a story this is! The life of Reagan is actually a story that is full of smaller, super interesting stories of America. You get the American midwest in the 20's and depression, you get Hollywood during the studio era and red scare, you get the Cold War, governorship and presidency. There is a lot of American history packed into the background of this man's life.
I found this to be a very entertaining read. Spitz really walks you through how Reagan became the Reagan he was in the White House, for better or for worse depending on your own personal political views. You really see how his personal experiences shaped his worldview. I thought that Spitz did a good job of just presenting Reagan without personal bias. He was clearly a strongly gifted communicator and it is easy to understand how he became the hero of the conservative faction of the Republican party. It is likewise easy to see his mistakes and left leaning readers will certainly not be cheering on many of his points of view.
January 2, 2025
I spend a lot of time being angry at Ronald Reagan, and I realized that a lot of that anger was informed by things I've learned via social media or from descriptions of his specific failures.
Having read this, I have a more specific idea of why I dislike him. I also have a much better understanding of why so many people love him. As much as I abhor his policies - and there is much to be critical of - it's clear to me that Reagan did generally have good intentions.
This is important to me in 2025, because there are many parallels between Reagan and Trump. They're both celebrity presidential candidates who ran on dramatic oversimplifications of major issues. They are both ideologues, driven by an idea, and not necessarily the realities of a situation.
But... I think Reagan really did want to help the American people, and was generally a decent person who had lousy beliefs. That's an important distinction to draw, especially in politics. I'm glad I read this, and feel much better informed for it.
Having read this, I have a more specific idea of why I dislike him. I also have a much better understanding of why so many people love him. As much as I abhor his policies - and there is much to be critical of - it's clear to me that Reagan did generally have good intentions.
This is important to me in 2025, because there are many parallels between Reagan and Trump. They're both celebrity presidential candidates who ran on dramatic oversimplifications of major issues. They are both ideologues, driven by an idea, and not necessarily the realities of a situation.
But... I think Reagan really did want to help the American people, and was generally a decent person who had lousy beliefs. That's an important distinction to draw, especially in politics. I'm glad I read this, and feel much better informed for it.
February 9, 2025
Bob Spitz usually writes biographies of music legends: Bob Dylan, The Beatles, and Led Zeppelin. But Spitz turned his talents to writing about perhaps the most famous celebrity from the world of arts to achieve political power. Ronald Reagan is Spitz’s subject and this is a very good biography, perhaps the best one-volume work on the Gipper to date. Although there are a few minor errors, the problem of citing scandalmonger Kitty Kelley occasionally, and Spitz not discussing Able Archer 83 and the 1986 tax reform, Spitz gives us excellent insight to Reagan the man and how he interacted with his family, friends, and advisors. The chapters on Reagan’s early life and Hollywood years are excellent, and Spitz does a good job covering Reagan’s time as governor and presidential contender. Contrary to the criticism of some reviewers, Spitz does a good job covering the Reagan presidency, even if he makes it all too clear he’s not always fond of Reagan’s social policies. Still, this is the best place to start if someone is looking for just one biography of Ronald Reagan. Rating: 4.5/5
August 25, 2025
I picked out this book in anticipation of visiting the Reagan Presidential Library soon. I had known very little about President Reagan before reading this. I was inspired by the story and cried at the end (I’ve never cried during a book before lol). I was surprised to see President Biden and President Trump briefly mentioned in the book. Bob Spitz did an amazing job writing this and I’m sure the information learned from the book will be very helpful for my future trip to California.
November 12, 2018
Good, thorough book, well written. Only critique was skipping over the positive economic triumphs in the 80s.
March 10, 2022
Even handed realistic look at a mythological figure and the swirling cast in his orbit. Heavy on political maneuvering, intimate moments, and foreign policy. Not as much depth on his domestic policies as I would have liked.
December 24, 2018
This book is almost five-star at the front half, but three-star at the back half.
I was leaning 3.5 stars, but, of course, we still can't do half-star reviews, so I bumped down to 3.
Why not split the difference at 4, per my first paragraph?
Because that split starts in 1980, in Reagan's successful presidential campaign, and we wouldn't have tome-sized bios about a B-movie Hollywood actor, or close. We would only have a semi-tome had Reagan been elected governor of California, but no more. So, the back half of the book gets "weighted" more.
I had never read one of Spitz's books before, nor even heard of him. Based on the first half of the book, I was expecting a "neutral" bio; neither a cheap teardown nor anything close to hagiography. Unfortunately, the second half is painted in semi-hagiographic pastels.
OK, here's what I gleaned from the book.
In the first half? I learned several things. (I'm not saying that any of this is Spitz exclusives on stuff that is new information to me, just that I learned it here.)
Reagan possibly got his sweetheart from HS / early college pregnant while they were both at Eureka. Spitz notes she did NOT go to Univ. of Illinois; she simply dropped out of Eureka for a year, then returned, but lived in new housing. A pregnancy is likely; Spitz wonders if there was also an abortion.
His general personality is pretty well described.
How much of a skirt-chaser he was between marriages — I didn't know that. The future St. Ronald of Reagan not only "dated" a lot during this time, much of that dating was one-night stands. The only difference between him and Errol Flynn is that Ronnie, while drinking plenty during this period, wasn't at alcoholic levels.
Him introducing Nancy to astrology, not other way around, when they were dating. That's a biggie. Yes, later, like during the presidency, she "booked" him based on Joan Quigley. But, he introduced her to astrology, including a monthly "reading" party he attended.
He had officially engaged another woman when he found out Nancy was preggers.
The second half? Didn't learn anything about Reagan. This is just notes about where Spitz goes off the rails.
Despite good evidence to the contrary, he dismisses October surprise in half a page.
He doesn’t even consider claim by Gary Sick of theft of Carter debate briefing book.
Totally botches SCOTUS on school prayer when discussing the O'Conner nomination. It has NEVER ruled VOLUNTARY prayer unconstitutional. I knew at this point, the book was going down a full star for sure, and the back half more than that.
He claims ChristaMcAuliffe would have been first civilian in space. Wrong. That was (among astronauts) Jack Schmitt on Apollo 17. And, LONG before THAT it was Valentina Tereshkova among cosmonauts. (She had a "courtesy" Red Air Force commission after tabbed to be a cosmonaut, but is widely considered the first civilian, as well as first woman, in space.) This is simply poor research re Schmitt, and American-centric rose-colored glasses re Tereshkova.
Spitz shoves EPA scandals, HUD scandal and other problems of Reagan’s first two years to one paragraph about his last months in office. He puts start of S&L collapse there, too. On EPA, he doesn’t describe how Reagan’s push for dereg plus “New Federalism” was part of problem. On S&Ls, doesn’t describe how Reagan-pushed legislation was a key part of cause.
I assumed at least some of the first-half info I provided was available elsewhere, and that his "exclusive?" peak at Nancy's letters will get better insight from someone else.
I was leaning 3.5 stars, but, of course, we still can't do half-star reviews, so I bumped down to 3.
Why not split the difference at 4, per my first paragraph?
Because that split starts in 1980, in Reagan's successful presidential campaign, and we wouldn't have tome-sized bios about a B-movie Hollywood actor, or close. We would only have a semi-tome had Reagan been elected governor of California, but no more. So, the back half of the book gets "weighted" more.
I had never read one of Spitz's books before, nor even heard of him. Based on the first half of the book, I was expecting a "neutral" bio; neither a cheap teardown nor anything close to hagiography. Unfortunately, the second half is painted in semi-hagiographic pastels.
OK, here's what I gleaned from the book.
In the first half? I learned several things. (I'm not saying that any of this is Spitz exclusives on stuff that is new information to me, just that I learned it here.)
Reagan possibly got his sweetheart from HS / early college pregnant while they were both at Eureka. Spitz notes she did NOT go to Univ. of Illinois; she simply dropped out of Eureka for a year, then returned, but lived in new housing. A pregnancy is likely; Spitz wonders if there was also an abortion.
His general personality is pretty well described.
How much of a skirt-chaser he was between marriages — I didn't know that. The future St. Ronald of Reagan not only "dated" a lot during this time, much of that dating was one-night stands. The only difference between him and Errol Flynn is that Ronnie, while drinking plenty during this period, wasn't at alcoholic levels.
Him introducing Nancy to astrology, not other way around, when they were dating. That's a biggie. Yes, later, like during the presidency, she "booked" him based on Joan Quigley. But, he introduced her to astrology, including a monthly "reading" party he attended.
He had officially engaged another woman when he found out Nancy was preggers.
The second half? Didn't learn anything about Reagan. This is just notes about where Spitz goes off the rails.
Despite good evidence to the contrary, he dismisses October surprise in half a page.
He doesn’t even consider claim by Gary Sick of theft of Carter debate briefing book.
Totally botches SCOTUS on school prayer when discussing the O'Conner nomination. It has NEVER ruled VOLUNTARY prayer unconstitutional. I knew at this point, the book was going down a full star for sure, and the back half more than that.
He claims ChristaMcAuliffe would have been first civilian in space. Wrong. That was (among astronauts) Jack Schmitt on Apollo 17. And, LONG before THAT it was Valentina Tereshkova among cosmonauts. (She had a "courtesy" Red Air Force commission after tabbed to be a cosmonaut, but is widely considered the first civilian, as well as first woman, in space.) This is simply poor research re Schmitt, and American-centric rose-colored glasses re Tereshkova.
Spitz shoves EPA scandals, HUD scandal and other problems of Reagan’s first two years to one paragraph about his last months in office. He puts start of S&L collapse there, too. On EPA, he doesn’t describe how Reagan’s push for dereg plus “New Federalism” was part of problem. On S&Ls, doesn’t describe how Reagan-pushed legislation was a key part of cause.
I assumed at least some of the first-half info I provided was available elsewhere, and that his "exclusive?" peak at Nancy's letters will get better insight from someone else.
November 18, 2021
Spitz’s biography on Reagan is a good read. Unlike the last two biographies I read, Spitz is a writer first and foremost and not actually attached to the Reagan administration. Reagan is still an incredibly popular president even with more than a decade following his death and many decades since his presidency ended. Spitz does a good job at showing why this is the case. He does a wonderful job at showing Regan’s strength in his ability to communicate and his real belief in a black and white world that made his foreign policy so strong. However, he does a good job at pointing out Reagan’s one great weakness: his delegation method of leadership that left him completely oblivious to what people were doing in his administration. This obliviousness led to stuff like the Iran-Contra affair happening, and other not as significant gaffes.
While he does spend half the book talking about Reagan as politician the first half is all about his childhood and his Hollywood career which I found very fascinating. He’s one of the few presidents that avoided the traditional track of law school to politics that most politicians follow. So his time before transitioning to politics was very colorful and I enjoyed learning about that part of his life. Some readers might not be as interested in that aspect, but honestly it’s important because it set him up to be the “Great Communicator” that he later became.
His foreign policy was just fantastic, especially when he was actually in control and leading from the front. I really wish America could recapture that clear realpolitik that defined Regan’s foreign policy. His domestic stuff was less impressive, but still noteworthy. The Supreme Court stuff and abortion were the most interesting parts of it to me. His policies as governor of California were more interesting, especially his environmentalist streak.
Reagan basically lived and died by who he surrounded himself with. Most times he made very good decisions, but other times his lack of direct oversight screwed him. But this rotating door of advisors led to the book having really colorful characters, or at least Spitz made them colorful which speaks to his strength as an author.
Overall, good book. Spitz never loses his focus here and his dispels some common myths about Reagan, while treating him fairly. It wasn’t as well written as other biographies which is why I’m giving it a four, but it’s a great single volume biography of the man. Would recommend if anyone is interested.
Also his wife, Nancy, was a complete nut. Nice lady but all that astrology stuff was just crazy.
While he does spend half the book talking about Reagan as politician the first half is all about his childhood and his Hollywood career which I found very fascinating. He’s one of the few presidents that avoided the traditional track of law school to politics that most politicians follow. So his time before transitioning to politics was very colorful and I enjoyed learning about that part of his life. Some readers might not be as interested in that aspect, but honestly it’s important because it set him up to be the “Great Communicator” that he later became.
His foreign policy was just fantastic, especially when he was actually in control and leading from the front. I really wish America could recapture that clear realpolitik that defined Regan’s foreign policy. His domestic stuff was less impressive, but still noteworthy. The Supreme Court stuff and abortion were the most interesting parts of it to me. His policies as governor of California were more interesting, especially his environmentalist streak.
Reagan basically lived and died by who he surrounded himself with. Most times he made very good decisions, but other times his lack of direct oversight screwed him. But this rotating door of advisors led to the book having really colorful characters, or at least Spitz made them colorful which speaks to his strength as an author.
Overall, good book. Spitz never loses his focus here and his dispels some common myths about Reagan, while treating him fairly. It wasn’t as well written as other biographies which is why I’m giving it a four, but it’s a great single volume biography of the man. Would recommend if anyone is interested.
Also his wife, Nancy, was a complete nut. Nice lady but all that astrology stuff was just crazy.
February 2, 2023
“Reagan: An American Journey” by Bob Spitz can be split into two unique sections: Reagan’s rise to the presidency, and his actual administration and later years.
The first part — which covers his unique rise from impoverished youth in Tampico, Illinois to college student and leader to professional baseball broadcaster to Hollywood superstar and president of the Screen Actors Guild to Governor of California and candidate for President — is a thrill ride.
Who knew that Ronald Reagan was once a highly-rated baseball radio broadcaster, ranked by newspapers ahead of the legendary Red Barber for his work? He was a natural. Once, the gung-ho and flexible Reagan even ad-libbed an entire seven minutes of a Cubs game he was calling because the transmission to his studio died. He had fun broadcasting, fans loved him and it parlayed him into the successful Hollywood acting career that put his name on the map.
The transition from Reagan the Hollywood star to Reagan the politician really began with two events. First, as president of the Screen Actors Guild during the Eugene McCarthy-led Red Scare, Reagan’s strict anti-communism stance put him in the limelight as a hard-liner. Then, General Motors offered him a spokesperson position, in which he advocated for labor-related political causes while touring the country on behalf of GM. That’s when Reagan’s Republican ideology took form, and with it his public speaking panache.
After friends and colleagues pressured him into his successful bid for Governor of California, Reagan’s life changed forever. And in Spitz’s narrative, the energy takes a turn. Reagan, as Governor and as President, was notoriously hands-off. He delegated in the style of a British Monarch, writes Spitz. This makes the telling of his Presidency — one that includes dealings with Mikhail Gorbachev (tear down this wall!), the Iran-Contra Scandal, hostage crises, Reaganomics and more — a bit dry. The most thrilling are his dealings with Gorbachev, in which Reagan successfully brings the Cold War to an unceremonious close by working the Soviet leader masterfully.
Reagan’s mythos in American culture is, in large part, because he was the last of his kind, says Spitz. He represents family values that many feel have been lost, and that’s why, since his death in 2004, “Reagan” has become synonymous with a better time. Shades of this are true, and shades are overblown.
Spitz’s telling of Regan’s life is exhilarating at times, flat at others, but in all, complete and incredibly informative.
October 26, 2018
Love him or hate him, Reagan left an indelible mark on America and his legacy continues to reverberate nearly 40 years after he won the US Presidency. Spitz digs deep for this biography, and does an exceptional job of describing Reagan the boy, Reagan the actor, Reagan the husband, Reagan the politician, and Reagan the declining octogenarian. Above all, Reagan was a great communicator, and Spitz describes how that skill served him throughout his life.
The book is neither a hit piece nor a fawning work of fanboy fiction. Instead, Spitz seeks to show Reagan as he really was -- a man gifted with a magnetic personality but not with particularly keen intellect or organizational skills. Reagan was a big-picture person who loved people and relished the spotlight, but he sometimes stumbled because he couldn't (or wouldn't) grasp the details. This weakness is what was often behind his largest failures -- his failed marriage to Jane Wyman (he couldn't understand that he talked too much), his scandal-plagued Cabinet (he was loyal to a fault, and overlooked misconduct), his failure to treat AIDS as a serious disease (he didn't even try to understand the disease until after his presidency ended), and his most memorable albatross: the Iran-Contra Affair.
Overall this is a well-researched and superbly-written biography of a fascinating man. Regardless of your political viewpoint, this book will help you better understand a leader who had a deep and lasting impact on the American political landscape and culture.
5 out of 5 stars.
The book is neither a hit piece nor a fawning work of fanboy fiction. Instead, Spitz seeks to show Reagan as he really was -- a man gifted with a magnetic personality but not with particularly keen intellect or organizational skills. Reagan was a big-picture person who loved people and relished the spotlight, but he sometimes stumbled because he couldn't (or wouldn't) grasp the details. This weakness is what was often behind his largest failures -- his failed marriage to Jane Wyman (he couldn't understand that he talked too much), his scandal-plagued Cabinet (he was loyal to a fault, and overlooked misconduct), his failure to treat AIDS as a serious disease (he didn't even try to understand the disease until after his presidency ended), and his most memorable albatross: the Iran-Contra Affair.
Overall this is a well-researched and superbly-written biography of a fascinating man. Regardless of your political viewpoint, this book will help you better understand a leader who had a deep and lasting impact on the American political landscape and culture.
5 out of 5 stars.
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