"Reagan: What Was He Really Like” Book Review
By T. CHRISTOPHER
When I first received a copy of this book, I expected to find another – Reagan – as told by people who have made a living “knowing” and “remembering” Ronald Reagan compilation. You know the usual suspects. Upon exploring the Table of Contents, I was pleasantly surprised to find out that I’d never even heard of most the people offering accounts of the “Real Ronald Reagan” therein. This book is – Reagan – as remembered by the everyday people that he interacted with – the chicken farmer / pilot who helped then candidate Reagan get over his reservations about flying and puddle-jump the future President from town to town across California, the receptionist that manned the CA Governor’s front desk, and the scheduler who balanced the precious time of a man that would one day lead this great nation. The book, and the respective accounts, offer a never-before-seen to this Reagan enthusiast look into the world of Reagan – before he reached iconic status. The end result is a book unlike any I have read on the Republican great and one I’d wholeheartedly recommend to anyone interested in learning more about the Gipper.
My favorite anecdote from the book comes from a California Highway Patrol Officer turned member of Reagan’s Security Detail – Dale Rowlee.
“While I was still in uniform, in the first days of the administration, I would go pick up the governor in the morning and we had the old Cadillac limousine that had been Governor Brown’s car. It was an older, well-used Cadillac, (old, tired and poorly maintained being the operative words) and driving into the office, we came down Capitol Avenue, right towards the Capitol Buidling – and the car died at 16th and Capitol Avenue! In the intersection – I mean it just DIED!
Now- the Cad limo had quit and I’m sitting in the middle of the intersection – just me and the popular new Governor of California – I got out of the car and started to push it out of the intersection – and the governor got out on the other side – and we’re both pushing it. We pushed the car out of the intersection, over to the curb, and locked it up and The Man and I walked down Capitol Avenue – right down through the park – up the steps and into the Governor’s Office! I mean this was the security I was embarrassed and worried. It was laughable, now!”
How many of today’s politicians could you picture pushing a limo through an intersection? Short list, no doubt. Stories like this one are what this book’s all about. If you’re looking for backroom secrets and deal-making sessions on the big decisions of the Cold War, this is not your book. But if you’re looking for a book to shed some light on the man that was the “Real Ronald Reagan”, this book has to move to the top of the list of your must-reads. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am certain you will as well.
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QUOTES FROM RONALD REAGAN
Out of hundreds of famous quotes from Ronald Reagan, the following are even more important, appropriate and critical today than when he first said them:
“If we ever forget that we are
One Nation Under God, then
we will be a nation gone under.”
-Ronald Reagan |
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WHAT STAFF, FRIENDS
AND PROFESSIONALS
SAID ABOUT REAGAN
“Reagan thrived on
being underestimated.”
Edwin Meese III, Chief of Staff Governor Ronald Reagan. White House Counsellor to President Reagan. Attorney General of the United States |
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WHAT HAVE PEOPLE SAID ABOUT THE BOOK - REAGAN: WHAT
WAS HE REALLY LIKE?
“An insider’s ‘Take’on Ronald Reagan. I love this book! It is a masterpiece; a true work of art, created by a man who knew Reagan intimately. A MUST read for everyone who seeks the truth!”
Tom Ellick, Special Assistant to Governor Reagan’s Cabinet
Liaison to State Legislature for Governor Reagan |
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