RONALD REAGAN

BOOK: When Character Was King: A Story of Ronald Reagan

AUTHOR: Peggy Noonan
WRITTEN: 2001
PAGES: 338

As a matter of full disclosure, I need to tell everyone that I voted for Ronald Reagan, twice. The first time as a high school senior at Herculaneum High School. I contacted Eleanor Rehm's office, the county clerk, and told her that was going to be 18 the week before the election and asked if I could register early even though I was only 17. She assured me that I could and so I proudly cast my vote for Ronald Reagan, much to the chagrin of my staunchly Democratic father.

The second time was in 1984, as an Airmen First Class in Ft Worth, Texas. Admittedly not as excited to vote this time mainly because Fritz Mondale was such a sorry candidate, good person, but was a sacrifical lamb in the election. Plus, President Reagan was building up the military at that time.

This prject is so much easier when I have the opportunity to read a book from an author that knows the President and has great affection for him. Noonan's emotions clearly come out in the text and it just makes it a more enjoyable read or maybe the Carter book was so full of vitrol that it left a bad taste in my mouth.

Now this book is far from non-partisan. Noonan speaks glowingly of Rush Limbaugh and devotes an entire chapter to the newly elected George W Bush but that is understandable to some degree.

Ronald Reagan was born poor to an alcoholic father and religious mother. He could hardly see until age 12, when by sheer happenstance he found out he needed glasses. He went to Eureka College because his girlfriend went there and he loved the campus. Reagan was not born into priviledge, his family was not a pillar of the comunity. The Reagan family struggled. Since he was an Ovy Leaguer, I am sure that was part of the anti-Reagan rancor fromthe Washington establishment.

Reagan's rise to politics was unorthodox to say the least. He started in radio in the Midwest and moved to California where he landed in the motion picture industry. What makes this part of the story so interesting is that he became President of the Screen Actors Guild, (the Actors Union) at a time when the studios where still ran by the Samuel Goldyns and Louis Mayers still ran the show. Their negotiating style influenced Reagan throughout his life in politics. Give a little, never back anyone in a corner, and stay true to your convictions.

It was also during this time that Hollywood was indeed infiltrated with a Socialist Movement. Althought the House on Un-American Activity Committee went totally overboard, this was a true threat in the industry. Reagan stood up against that and become a conservative voice in a liberal area.

As Reagan's motion picture career waned, he host a television program sponsored by General Electric. Part of the deal was that he had to tour GE plants throughout the country. It was there that he honed his political message and the crowds were very receptive.

Reagan ran for governor in Californina and was elected for two terms. He stayed true to his economic message and converative themes. This lead to a launching of his failed bid for President in 1976 against Gerald Ford, the incumbent.

The latter part of the book focuses on Reagan's Presidency and his relationship with Nancy Reagan his second wife. He had children but they were not part of his life in an intimate way. He cared for them, loved them, but his relationship with his wife was paramount.

Reagan was a visionary that hired good people to carry out that vision. FDR was very similiar in that respect. It seems that great Presidents come in with a vision and allow others to carry out that vision. Mistakes are made but sucesses are realized as well.

Reagan never lost his touch with the average American and this revealed time and again in the book. His love of his ranch, his relationship with the Almighty, and how events affected him personally are all demonstrated throughout.

My favorite parts of the book were about the assassination attempt and how Peggy Noonan frames it. It was really fascinating. I still remember where I was when it happen. I came home from school and my Mom met me at the door and told me that President had been shot. We sat together and watched and waited, hoping that the first President I ever voted for was still alive. The first President my Mother had voted for, had been shot as well, but John Kennedy did not make it.

His relationship with the fall of the Soviet Union made for great reading. One interesting footnote is that Reagan dealt with four different Soviet premier's while in office. People younger than me have no idea what the threat of nuclear war with the East was and how if effected everything we did, we learned, we read. Under Reagan's watch it is now just a footnote in history.

RECOMMENDATION: I think this may have been my favorite book so far. I could have written twice as much as I did, the anecdotes were that good and the man so interesting. I would not call him an intellect but I would call him a great visionary. Whether you are a Republican or Democrat, it is a quick and enjoyable read.

SOURCE: Half Price Book Store, Dallas, TX courtesy of Trula Skaggs

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