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steelcitygator's review against another edition
2.0
Certainly interesting, I cannot deny that. It's a pretty unique look at the day to day schedule of a modern US President. That said, it's a diary that focuses on a lifestyle which involves a lot of meetings and reading. It is interesting to see the development of Reagan's mental state and how he handles the tasks of the Presidency but this is certainly only someone already well versed in Reagan or a keen understanding should read and, ultimately, that is part of what gives it such a low score. Otherwise, just go get a biography of the man if you have only a little interest in him or his presidency. I'm sure they will have used this and more resources in a much more readable format that clearly portrays his opinions and policies (probably even more clearly in a lot of it).
utbw42's review against another edition
4.0
A fantastic collection of the thoughts of arguably our greatest president in modern times. I was amazed at the difference, in every aspect, of what this man stood for and how he approached his job and what we currently have going on in Washington, D.C. It took me a while to read this because the diary entries were fairly chopped up and abbreviated in places, but it was definitely worth the read. I recommend this for anyone who appreciates what we once had in this country.
earsore's review
Had checked this out from the library to see if there was any kind of insight on Reagan to gain. Turns out no, he was just really fucking boring.
canada_matt's review against another edition
4.0
Ronald Reagan was surely one of the great politicians of the latter 20th century. Love him or hate him, he defined the United States in the 1980s, sandwiched between the Carter and Bush single-administrations. While historians depict the 40th President differently, his daily diary offers a personal and in-depth picture of his thoughts throughout the eight years he occupied the White House. With the help of Brinkley’s editing, the reader is treated to a detailed narrative about the political landscape from one of its key actors. Numerous themes emerge throughout, depicting the raw emotion and personal sentiment Reagan invested into the job. A must-read for any political junkie, especially one whose reliance on Reagan is strictly media-based.
For any interested reader, a small warning that might serve as a useful preface to the book. The diary reads less as a fleshed-out political memoir and more a collection of sentences (sometimes in shorthand) relating to personal thoughts and feelings. The prose is choppy and the flow can be quite difficult to digest for the reader used formal writing. It can be hard to invest the true reading experience in this book, but patience and the ability to sift through the proffered information makes the diary one of great political and personal interest.
Reagan argues, through his entries, that there is much more to the job than meets the eye. While much of the presidency is seen to be meetings with foreign heads of state, signing bills, and addresses to the nation, Reagan admits that his days were full of meetings and sometimes kept him on his feet from morning to night. The image of a president at work pales in comparison to the real goings-on within the White House and outside of its shelter. The diary is chalk-full of events and meetings that required Reagan’s attention, as well as plans for legislation, dealing with international incidents, and personal matters. While some of the major issues are well known to the public (warming of relations with USSR, battle against Communism in Central America, push for more transparency of government), the diary also illustrates some of the more painful and frustrating moments (dealing with Iran-Contra Affair, issues with members of staff/Cabinet, security issues that required covert attention by the US). The publically known tip of the iceberg is just that and the diary tries to shed light on it.
Reagan also addresses his ongoing misinformation campaign waged against media sources. His relationship with the press was tepid at best. While his popularity was unusually high throughout most of his presidency, the press chose to vilify him and his actions. Reagan does not fret about this strain, choosing instead to toss his own set of insults directed at those who scorned him most. His somewhat arrogant comments, calling the press ‘communist sympathisers’, mirrors the banality found years later in the 43rd POTUS. That said, the reader’s eyes are surely opened a little more about what did go on behind closed doors. A true ideological clash between Reagan and media outlets existed and could not be mended with a simple acceptance of one by the other.
Reagan was not free of fault and his diary does not skirt away from his foibles. His relationships with others were neither pristine or always long-lasting. Cabinet choices that eventually soured and befriending legislators who tried to pull the carpet out from under Reagan are not spared in the diary’s entries. There is significant discussion of the 1987 attempt to name a new Supreme Court justice saw Reagan’s choice in Robert Bork go down to resounding defeat. He did all he could, from the entries in the diary to push the nominee through the Senate, but it proved fruitless. Reagan’s other great political disaster ended up being the Iran Contra Affair, though Reagan denies any involvement at any point. Brinkley’s edit work and the redactions done by the National Security Council leave the reader to question whether these omitted parts could have included highly important information regarding his knowledge. Reagan’s image was besmirched over this, by media outlets, but his raw denial knowing anything about Oliver North’s testimony leave the reader to wonder who is ultimately telling the truth.
Reagan was a man like any other, which flows through his sentimental entries throughout the diary. Reagan`s longing for Mommie (Nancy) when she is away personifies that he loved his wife and his family to the core, even when playing the role of the Leader of the Free World. His advanced age when entering the White House lends itself to some ailments other may not have to face and the diary makes mention of numerous medical procedures and operations for health scares. Reagan did not shy away from these, even the most personal. He does, however, remind the reader that his doctors found him as fit as someone twenty years his junior.
Anyone with an interest in politics should take the time and read through this diary. It will take some getting used to, but once the reader adapts to the jilted flow, it becomes quite interesting to see just how things came to fruition. With some sobering tales about his life in the White House and scathing comments for his enemies (particularly Qaddafi, who became his Enemy #1 early on), the diary is priceless and highly entertaining.
Well done Mister President and Mr. Brinkley. You captured a political era quite well for one who lived through it but was too young to remember the specifics. A great alternate perspective to eight years in Office, in a world where much of the mainstream media chose to paint you with such a negative brush. But I gotta ask, why the need for haircuts every 10 days or so?!
For any interested reader, a small warning that might serve as a useful preface to the book. The diary reads less as a fleshed-out political memoir and more a collection of sentences (sometimes in shorthand) relating to personal thoughts and feelings. The prose is choppy and the flow can be quite difficult to digest for the reader used formal writing. It can be hard to invest the true reading experience in this book, but patience and the ability to sift through the proffered information makes the diary one of great political and personal interest.
Reagan argues, through his entries, that there is much more to the job than meets the eye. While much of the presidency is seen to be meetings with foreign heads of state, signing bills, and addresses to the nation, Reagan admits that his days were full of meetings and sometimes kept him on his feet from morning to night. The image of a president at work pales in comparison to the real goings-on within the White House and outside of its shelter. The diary is chalk-full of events and meetings that required Reagan’s attention, as well as plans for legislation, dealing with international incidents, and personal matters. While some of the major issues are well known to the public (warming of relations with USSR, battle against Communism in Central America, push for more transparency of government), the diary also illustrates some of the more painful and frustrating moments (dealing with Iran-Contra Affair, issues with members of staff/Cabinet, security issues that required covert attention by the US). The publically known tip of the iceberg is just that and the diary tries to shed light on it.
Reagan also addresses his ongoing misinformation campaign waged against media sources. His relationship with the press was tepid at best. While his popularity was unusually high throughout most of his presidency, the press chose to vilify him and his actions. Reagan does not fret about this strain, choosing instead to toss his own set of insults directed at those who scorned him most. His somewhat arrogant comments, calling the press ‘communist sympathisers’, mirrors the banality found years later in the 43rd POTUS. That said, the reader’s eyes are surely opened a little more about what did go on behind closed doors. A true ideological clash between Reagan and media outlets existed and could not be mended with a simple acceptance of one by the other.
Reagan was not free of fault and his diary does not skirt away from his foibles. His relationships with others were neither pristine or always long-lasting. Cabinet choices that eventually soured and befriending legislators who tried to pull the carpet out from under Reagan are not spared in the diary’s entries. There is significant discussion of the 1987 attempt to name a new Supreme Court justice saw Reagan’s choice in Robert Bork go down to resounding defeat. He did all he could, from the entries in the diary to push the nominee through the Senate, but it proved fruitless. Reagan’s other great political disaster ended up being the Iran Contra Affair, though Reagan denies any involvement at any point. Brinkley’s edit work and the redactions done by the National Security Council leave the reader to question whether these omitted parts could have included highly important information regarding his knowledge. Reagan’s image was besmirched over this, by media outlets, but his raw denial knowing anything about Oliver North’s testimony leave the reader to wonder who is ultimately telling the truth.
Reagan was a man like any other, which flows through his sentimental entries throughout the diary. Reagan`s longing for Mommie (Nancy) when she is away personifies that he loved his wife and his family to the core, even when playing the role of the Leader of the Free World. His advanced age when entering the White House lends itself to some ailments other may not have to face and the diary makes mention of numerous medical procedures and operations for health scares. Reagan did not shy away from these, even the most personal. He does, however, remind the reader that his doctors found him as fit as someone twenty years his junior.
Anyone with an interest in politics should take the time and read through this diary. It will take some getting used to, but once the reader adapts to the jilted flow, it becomes quite interesting to see just how things came to fruition. With some sobering tales about his life in the White House and scathing comments for his enemies (particularly Qaddafi, who became his Enemy #1 early on), the diary is priceless and highly entertaining.
Well done Mister President and Mr. Brinkley. You captured a political era quite well for one who lived through it but was too young to remember the specifics. A great alternate perspective to eight years in Office, in a world where much of the mainstream media chose to paint you with such a negative brush. But I gotta ask, why the need for haircuts every 10 days or so?!
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