by Bob Spitz
First published 2018
Ronald Reagan emerges from this biography as a figure shaped by contradictions and charm. Bob Spitz traces Reagan's journey from his impoverished childhood in small Midwest towns, raised by a devout mother and an alcoholic father, through his unlikely rise to become America's 40th president. The author draws on hundreds of interviews and previously unavailable documents to construct his portrait. Spitz examines Reagan's early years as a nearsighted boy who found refuge in books and gained confidence as a lifeguard. He follows Reagan's leap to college, his career as a radio sportscaster, and his fateful move to Hollywood. The biography covers Reagan's transition to politics, his challenging tenure as California governor, and his presidency marked by both turmoil and his historic peace negotiations with the Soviet Union. Spitz presents Reagan without partisan bias, acknowledging his limitations as a student and his tendency to delegate political maneuvering to others, including Nancy Reagan. Yet the author identifies Reagan's core appeal: an inherent gentleness and optimism that resonated with Americans across political divides.
Genres: biography, 20th-century, political-science, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: political-intrigue, rise-to-power
Setting: Midwest, Hollywood, California
Period: 1980s
Audio CD · Penguin Audio