“When you can’t make them see the light, make them feel the heat.”
Having grown up in rural Illinois to an alcoholic father and fiercely religious mother, it’s clear to see why the life of Ronald Reagan has fascinated and inspired so many across the United States. A military man who took on the bright lights of Hollywood before becoming a prominent governor of California, Reagan’s wit and ability to project an infallible level of self-confidence catapulted him into the White House in the 1980 election.
Reagan’s two terms as President coincided with the US’ largest period of peace-time expansion and is still regarded as the golden age for American conservatism. Huge cuts to both taxes and government spending to combat the stagflation of the 1970s led to the term ‘Reaganomics’ being coined. In foreign affairs, Reagan’s increased military spending moved the Cold War away from detente policies and helped to contribute to the collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe and the USSR. Still regarded as one of the most interesting and enigmatic Presidents in US history, check out the best Ronald Reagan books at What We Reading!
Reagan: An American Journey – Bob Spitz
New York Times bestselling biographer Bob Spitz pulls together a rich biography of an epic American life, mapping out exactly what made Ronald Reagan so consequential and beloved to the nation. Having spent over five years in production, Reagan is an epic marriage of Spitz’s vivid storytelling, hundreds of interviews and utilisation of documents that had previously been unavailable.
The result is one of the best Ronald Reagan books that captures all the biggest events in his life, and how they forged his ideals and beliefs. From growing up in poverty, his marriage to Nancy to his political career as governor and finally President, it stands as one of the best US President biographies ever written.
The Reagan Diaries – Ronald Reagan, Douglas Brinkley (Editor)
During his two terms in the White House, Ronald Reagan kept a daily diary in which he recorded, in his own words, the extraordinary occurrences, innermost thoughts and observations during his Presidency.
Now, Douglas Brinkley gives readers access to all of these recordings in one volume in his book, The Reagan Diaries. Not only do The Reagan Diaries provide a striking character study into one of the most enigmatic and popular Presidents in US history, but they also provide an illuminating insight into the demands thrust upon an American leader.
Reagan: The Life – H.W. Brands
Bestselling biographer H.W. Brands captures the visionary prowess of Ronald Reagan and paints him as one of the two greatest US Presidents in Reagan: The Life. Through meticulous research and archival material, Brands masterfully captures Reagan’s ascent through US politics through pragmatic leadership and an unmatched level of ambition.
He demonstrates how these traits remained with the fortieth President of the United States during his two terms, helping to engineer a conservative revolution across the country, bringing down Communist Eastern Europe and ushering in the age of Reagan.
Reaganland: America’s Right Turn 1976-1980 – Rick Perlstein
Rick Perlstein, the bestselling author of Nixonland and Invisible Bridge, offers a complex picture of Ronald Reagan and the US shift to the right during his administration in Reaganland. Covering four years between 1976 and 1980, Perlstein breaks the book into four different divisions: the warring within the Democratic party against Jimmy Carter, an aggressive corporate sector rallying against environmentalism and unions, the movement of politically mobilized conservative Christians and, finally, the ascent of the charismatic and astute Reagan.
Reaganland is not only a striking assessment of Reagan’s rise but also an eye-opening portrait of late ‘70s America that offers insight into issues that remain relevant to this day.
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Dutch: A Memoir Of Ronald Reagan – Edmund Morris
When he moved into the White House in 1981, one of the first literary guests President Reagan hosted was Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer Edmund Morris. Acclaimed for his biography on the life and times of Theodore Roosevelt, Morris became so fascinated by the power and mystery of Reagan that he shelved his proposed follow-up to this work, instead choosing to focus his energies on unwrapping America’s fortieth President.
Having been granted access to his papers, including early autobiographical stories and a diary from inside the White House, Edmund Morris’ Dutch is a stellar celebration of the array of positions and achievements Reagan acquired during his life. From lifeguard, to film star to President, it’s all passed through here.
Three Days In Moscow: Ronald Reagan And The Fall Of The Soviet Empire – Bret Baier And Catherine Whitney
In Three Days in Moscow, bestselling author Bret Baier lifts the lid on the dramatic endgame of America’s struggle against the Soviet Union, and how Ronald Reagan’s actions helped the world we live in today. In it, he captures a speech made by the President in May 1988 on the steps of Moscow University. There, Reagan became the first US leader to address human rights on Russian soil.
The importance of the speech was largely overlooked at the time. But, through vivid storytelling and the benefit of retrospect, Baier examines how Reagan’s address demonstrates the critical and often overlooked role the President had in bringing about a successful and peaceful end to the Cold War. A classic book on Ronald Reagan, Baier succeeds at creating a compelling portrait of the fortieth President, as well as drawing comparisons between the issues he faced and those dominating the country today.
When Character Was King: A Story Of Ronald Reagan – Peggy Noonan
A New York Times bestseller, Peggy Noonan’s When Character Was King remains one of the best Ronald Reagan books for capturing the spirit that made America’s fortieth President. The biography features Noonan’s reflections on Reagan, as well as those from figures ranging from George Bush Sr and George Bush Jr, his wife Nancy and daughter Patti, to the Secret Service men and White House colleagues that followed him during his Presidency.
Renowned for blending striking writing prose with incisive wit, When Character Was King is a book that enlightens, moves and informs throughout. Capturing the man as well as the leader, it is the perfect final word on an individual whose naysayers even have to concede left a stunning imprint on history.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
