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Reagan In His Own Voice
features Ronald Reagan's radio addresses from the late 1970s. Edited by Kiron K. Skinner, Annelise Anderson, and Martin Anderson, they are introduced by George Shultz and feature additional introductions by Nancy Reagan, Richard V. Allen, Judge William Clark, Michael Deaver, Peter Hannaford, Edwin Meese III and Harry O'Connor.
From 1975 to 1979 Ronald Reagan gave more than 1,000 daily radio broadcasts, the great majority of which he wrote himself. This program represents the opening of a major archive of pre-presidential material from the Reagan Library and the Hoover Institution Archives. These addresses transform our image of Ronald Reagan, and enhance and revise our understanding of the late 1970s -- a time when Reagan held no political office, but was nonetheless mapping out a strategy to transform the economy, end the cold war, and create a vision of America that would propel him to the presidency.
These radio programs demonstrate that Reagan had carefully considered nearly every issue he would face as president. Reagan's radio broadcasts will change his reputation even among his closest allies and friends. Here, in his own voice, Reagan the thinker is finally fully revealed.
From 1975 to 1979 Ronald Reagan gave more than 1,000 daily radio broadcasts, the great majority of which he wrote himself. This program represents the opening of a major archive of pre-presidential material from the Reagan Library and the Hoover Institution Archives. These addresses transform our image of Ronald Reagan, and enhance and revise our understanding of the late 1970s -- a time when Reagan held no political office, but was nonetheless mapping out a strategy to transform the economy, end the cold war, and create a vision of America that would propel him to the presidency.
These radio programs demonstrate that Reagan had carefully considered nearly every issue he would face as president. Reagan's radio broadcasts will change his reputation even among his closest allies and friends. Here, in his own voice, Reagan the thinker is finally fully revealed.
6 pages, Audio CD
First published November 1, 2001
110 people want to read
About the author
Ronald Reagan
305 books275 followersRonald Wilson Reagan was an American politician and actor who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. He was a member of the Republican Party and became an important figure in the American conservative movement. His presidency is known as the Reagan era.
Born in Illinois, Reagan graduated from Eureka College in 1932 and was hired the next year as a sports broadcaster in Iowa. In 1937, he moved to California where he became a well-known film actor. During his acting career, Reagan was president of the Screen Actors Guild twice, from 1947 to 1952 and from 1959 to 1960. In the 1950s, he hosted General Electric Theater and worked as a motivational speaker for General Electric. Reagan's "A Time for Choosing" speech during the 1964 presidential election launched his rise as a leading conservative figure. After being elected governor of California in 1966, he raised state taxes, turned the state budget deficit into a surplus and implemented harsh crackdowns on university protests. Following his loss to Gerald Ford in the 1976 Republican Party presidential primaries, Reagan won the Republican Party's nomination and then a landslide victory over President Jimmy Carter in the 1980 presidential election.
In his first term as president, Reagan began implementing "Reaganomics", which involved economic deregulation and cuts in both taxes and government spending during a period of stagflation. On the world stage, he escalated the arms race, increased military spending, transitioned Cold War policy away from the policies of détente with the Soviet Union, and ordered the 1983 invasion of Grenada. He also survived an assassination attempt, fought public-sector labor unions, expanded the war on drugs, and was slow to respond to the AIDS epidemic. In the 1984 presidential election, he defeated former vice president Walter Mondale in another landslide victory. Foreign affairs dominated Reagan's second term, including the 1986 bombing of Libya, the secret and illegal sale of arms to Iran to fund the Contras, and engaging in negotiations with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, which culminated in the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.
Reagan left the presidency in 1989 with the American economy having seen a significant reduction of inflation, the unemployment rate having fallen, and the U.S. having entered its then-longest peacetime expansion. At the same time, the national debt had nearly tripled since 1981 as a result of his cuts in taxes and increased military spending, despite cuts to domestic discretionary spending. Reagan's foreign policies also contributed to the end of the Cold War. Though he planned an active post-presidency, it was hindered, after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 1994, and his physical and mental capacities gradually deteriorated, leading to his death in 2004. His tenure constituted a realignment toward conservative policies in the United States, and he is often considered an icon of American conservatism. Historical rankings of U.S. presidents have typically placed Reagan in the upper tier, and his post-presidential approval ratings by the general public are usually high.
Born in Illinois, Reagan graduated from Eureka College in 1932 and was hired the next year as a sports broadcaster in Iowa. In 1937, he moved to California where he became a well-known film actor. During his acting career, Reagan was president of the Screen Actors Guild twice, from 1947 to 1952 and from 1959 to 1960. In the 1950s, he hosted General Electric Theater and worked as a motivational speaker for General Electric. Reagan's "A Time for Choosing" speech during the 1964 presidential election launched his rise as a leading conservative figure. After being elected governor of California in 1966, he raised state taxes, turned the state budget deficit into a surplus and implemented harsh crackdowns on university protests. Following his loss to Gerald Ford in the 1976 Republican Party presidential primaries, Reagan won the Republican Party's nomination and then a landslide victory over President Jimmy Carter in the 1980 presidential election.
In his first term as president, Reagan began implementing "Reaganomics", which involved economic deregulation and cuts in both taxes and government spending during a period of stagflation. On the world stage, he escalated the arms race, increased military spending, transitioned Cold War policy away from the policies of détente with the Soviet Union, and ordered the 1983 invasion of Grenada. He also survived an assassination attempt, fought public-sector labor unions, expanded the war on drugs, and was slow to respond to the AIDS epidemic. In the 1984 presidential election, he defeated former vice president Walter Mondale in another landslide victory. Foreign affairs dominated Reagan's second term, including the 1986 bombing of Libya, the secret and illegal sale of arms to Iran to fund the Contras, and engaging in negotiations with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, which culminated in the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.
Reagan left the presidency in 1989 with the American economy having seen a significant reduction of inflation, the unemployment rate having fallen, and the U.S. having entered its then-longest peacetime expansion. At the same time, the national debt had nearly tripled since 1981 as a result of his cuts in taxes and increased military spending, despite cuts to domestic discretionary spending. Reagan's foreign policies also contributed to the end of the Cold War. Though he planned an active post-presidency, it was hindered, after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 1994, and his physical and mental capacities gradually deteriorated, leading to his death in 2004. His tenure constituted a realignment toward conservative policies in the United States, and he is often considered an icon of American conservatism. Historical rankings of U.S. presidents have typically placed Reagan in the upper tier, and his post-presidential approval ratings by the general public are usually high.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 4, 2012
I confess to having "read" this book in audio form. And that is by far the very best way to "read" it -- listening to Ronald Reagan in his own voice as he spoke to millions of listeners daily via his three minute radio messages. As the authors point out, Reagan also wrote all of these commentaries and they are brilliant -- thoughtful, funny and speaking to the all people. And never mean, nasty or personal (it is a rather startling difference when you compare to the ad homen rantings of to many of today's radio talkers). I really enjoyed this book -- it brought back many old memories of an extraordinary American who loved his country and was dedicated to her in ways that many of todays' politicians cannot comprehend.
June 22, 2015
This sample collection of his radio segments that he did from 75-79' were brilliantly done. His views and facts of how the government laws and decisions have been affecting the average person is remarkable. His views on how the nation has been in a down whirl spiral with issues in education, foreign policy, taxes and too much government involvement in peoples lives still hold true today. Or at least have come back to be even worse issues in the past 6 years.
I can not say enough positive things about this and listening to this it really showed how smart he really was and what an excellent president he was for the nation.
I can not say enough positive things about this and listening to this it really showed how smart he really was and what an excellent president he was for the nation.
May 17, 2014
This is a very pro-Reagan book, but very cool regardless of your politics. Anytime you can get history from "the horses mouth," it is worth your time.
my full review
my full review
October 6, 2020
Interesting
November 18, 2015
Wonderful collection of many of Ronald Reagan's three-minute radio addresses (just as they were originally heard, in his own words, all written by him) from 1975 to 1979, before he became president. Displayed not only his sense of the problems of everyday Americans but also previewed his actions as president. Excellent commentary accompanied the addresses, again dispelling the myth Reagan was an "amiable dunce," as once claimed by Clark Clifford.
January 27, 2010
It brought great pleasure to hear this selection of Reagan's 3-minute radio spots in his own voice. Whatever you think of his place in history, these little commentaries leave no doubt about his genuine warmth, depth of thought, and profound love for America. I, for one, hope we see just one more leader like him in my lifetime. It might be asking too much.
October 1, 2010
I have never heard recordings of Ronald Reagan before. I was impressed. His speaking style is very relaxed and commonsensical. It was eye opening and a joy to listen to. We need another Reagan.
September 5, 2023
Inspiring and uplifting. Reagan always had a way of communicating, hence the monitor the great communicator. Not many people realize that he was an idea's man and an economist, hence the moniker Reaganomics. Most people only know about his time as an actor and governor. I do not think many people know about his time as a radio broadcaster. This collection of audio addresses of his writings, his thoughts, and his communication to the public on different political ideas are a testament to his intellect, character, and contributions, that uplifted him to the presidency, and informed his office such that he is regarded as an all-time great, amongst a short list of all time grates, that have served as a United States President. Enjoy!
July 22, 2021
Looking back 40 years, it is remarkable to see the vision Reagan had and to get an inside view of his thinking before becoming president. He is as relevant today as he was back then. It was great to listen and hear his own voice on well thought out topics ranging from government's role to hyphenated last names.
July 27, 2024
Brought to us through postdoctoral research, these addresses offer valuable insights into Reagan’s thinking and vision for America. I’m astounded by their salience, poignancy, clarity, and continued relevance. It’s truly stunning. This book is a treasure. I make a point of listening to it every few years.
This is an audiobook.
This is an audiobook.
June 8, 2023
This is an incredible collection of President Reagan prior to his running for president but after he had been California governor and lost the Republican nomination to Ford in 1976.
They all come from 2 minute talks he gave daily on the radio. He was an incredible writer. This was an audio book.
They all come from 2 minute talks he gave daily on the radio. He was an incredible writer. This was an audio book.
July 26, 2023
Sure, it's a hagiographic exercise. But, Reagan's talent as a written and spoken communicator, as revealed in these radio commentaries, is undeniable.
May 24, 2014
This is a really good read for anyone wondering about what shapes Reagan's beliefs. Wither you like the man or not, this book is a great insight into his motives.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews