The Reagans: Portrait of a Marriage

by Anne Edwards

The Reagans is a penetrating portrayal of one of the most powerful couples of the twentieth century. Distinguished biographer Anne Edwards paints the first in-depth, intimate portrait of the man who became our fortieth president and the woman without whom he might never have reached such heights.
It was a dramatic love story from the Nancy was always first in Reagan's thoughts and he was paramount in Nancy's actions. But this obsessional love had a darker side for the four Reagan children. Anne Edwards brings the Reagans' dysfunctional family life into sharp focus, along with a fascinating array of supporting players such as Reagan's evangelistic mother, Nelle, Frank Sinatra, and Gerald Ford.
Few first ladies had as much power as Nancy Reagan, and few were so widely disliked. Anne Edwards shows a side of her never before revealed---from Nancy's ardent defense of Reagan's interests with both opponents and supporters, to the most difficult battle yet, the struggle to maintain her husband's dignity through his descent into Alzheimer's disease.
The Reagans is an original and mesmerizing look at one of America's most important presidential marriages.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

448 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2004

Reviews

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very well written and researched history of Ronald and Nancy Reagan primarily during his presidency. I was not very aware of the issues during that time, but this conveyed them in an easy to understand manner. The focus of the book was not the politics but the whole milieu and the close relationship of Noncy and Ronald.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

very interesting book. they really looked out for each other at the expece of leaving everyone else out including their kids.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this dual biography to be a quick read that managed to hold my interest throughout. Whatever one's feelings about Reagan's politics, it was plain to see that Nancy and Ronald Reagan felt deeply about each other, and their relationship was the most significant one in their lives (to the detriment of their children).
As a side note, when finding an incorrect fact, I wonder how reliable other facts might be. Granted, this one doesn't apply to the Reagans, but pertains to Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. At the top of page 352 (hardcover edition), author Anne Edwards mentioned that all living presidents and first ladies attended the dedication of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library on November 4, 1991. All except Jackie, who..."under treatment for cancer, did not attend." Yet, I don't believe this can be the reason she did not attend as she didn't find out she had cancer until January 1994.
3.5

[Laurie Hoppe · Rating 3 out of 5]

A breezy book. A good primer for someone (like me) familiar with the Reagans as public figures but not as human beings. I remain opposed to Ronald Reagan's policies, but admit I now have a greater understanding of and fondness for the man. He was gracious, optimistic about America, humble and genuinely guided by faith. Without litigating America between 2016-2020, let's just say that grace, optimism, humility and faith would be nice attributes for the GOP to embrace again someday soon.

Which is not to say Ronald Reagan didn't enjoy and pursue power. It's just that it's also clear that, whether he was a lifeguard in Dixon or president of the Screen Actors Guild or governor or President, he believed he was acting in service to others. While I still oppose his views, I have new respect for his motivations.

His big blind spot was Nancy. Through much of the book she is a thoroughly unlikable woman, and that is simply not what Ronald Reagan saw when he looked at her. She was not a good stepmother to his children by Jane Wyman, and Michael Reagan especially suffered because of it. Her relationship with her daughter Patti seems to be little more than decades of clashes and pain. Yet when his children came to him with their problems, he would dismiss them with, "Why do you lie about her? She loves you so."

This is not a hatchet job on Nancy. Edwards explains many of Nancy's interpersonal issues by delving into her insecure childhood. Whatever else you may think of Nancy, there is no doubt that she loved her husband sincerely and enduringly, and while she is still not a woman I wish I'd known, her tender dedication to him at the end of his life was nothing less than awesome.

For those who have read other Reagan biographies, this book may contain little new. But for me, a newbie to the story of their personal lives, it was a nice introduction.

[Rachel Mayes Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I haven't studied the Reagans' lives in much detail, although I'm familiar with many basic details. This book did fill in some of the gaps, even surprising me at times, but it was not a super engaging book because the writing was not great. The writing in the first half was oddly disjointed, although it did improve in the second half. I wouldn't say this should be the go-to Reagan book, but it was informative, so not a waste.

[Ashley Templeton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books is a 10 out of 10. Anne Edwards wrote this book in such a way that you feel you are there. She also does a great job showing the different sides of Ronnie and Nancy Reagan and how they were perfect for one another. No matter your political leaning, you will thoroughly enjoy this one!

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Certainly not my favorite Anne Edwards bio, as it seemed like a recycle of her other work on Reagan, but a fair enough treatment of the couple and of the tight marriage as the title implies. I was left wondering what the attraction was for him, as she comes off as a social ogre, but I guess you never know what's in a marriage unless you're in it! The section covering the assassination attempt and recovery was riveting and detailed. It was a much more serious event than we were led to believe at the time. Ronnie comes off as, well--a heck of a nice guy.

[Mom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be very interesting, fair-minded... giving a broad and well-rounded portrait of the Reagans and their marriage along with their family life . The political details that were necessary for understanding their lives were not overpowering, which I often find in reading other detailed biographies. An excellent book for trying to understand Reagan, the man; his life and the times in which he lived.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was a quick and easy read! Everyone knows what the Reagans are like, but she did get into some new information. I will say this, you can say what you want about The Reagans, but their love is real, deep and the type that says we are in this for the long haul. It truly is nice to see a couple say we are in this til death us do part, which sadly it did.

[Dawn Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Took much longer to read compared to history's I have read. Many personal stories that I found fascinating. I always adored him as president and this book revealed how much of a respectable man President Reagan was. Ms. Reagan a very supportive wife till the end of his life. Some sections boring and not as interesting as other parts. I think that's where I would want to skip but read on anyway.

[Nina · Rating 3 out of 5]

STILL DO NOT LIKE NANCY.