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Published in 1990, this autobiography was a catastrophe. Simon and Shuster had paid this former ham $7 million in advance for the manuscript including a collection of his stale speeches. Of the 500,000 copies produced, nearly 300,000 were returned to the publisher, forcing them to revise their advance payment policy.
When you read Reagan's letters, you can see that he is articulate and clear in his views of government. President Reagan was a man of substance, who believed in America, capitalism, and the capability of the individual, and this will continue to be an enduring legacy of his. I am a huge fan of President Ronald Reagan, and became an even stronger fan as a result of reading his letters. This book is even more important today. He distrusted government, and he knew, just like our Founders, that a government that was not constrained would attack the freedoms and liberties of the people. That is precisely why this book is so important. I suggest reading it. Even those who consider themselves Democrats have a lot to learn -- especially since Reagan voted Democrat most of his life (including for FDR).
Although distinctively American in all things, he is curiously reminiscent of an English gentleman of the old school, especially in his consideration for others. For those who admire the late President Reagan, this book will be confirmation of his greatness - but it is particularly recommended to any fair-minded readers of the opposite persuasion who are open to having their prejudices challenged.A man's true character will always come out in his personal correspondence. At times, he seems quaintly old fashioned in his manners. There he cannot hide behind speech-writers and image-makers. So those whose only ideas about the man come from the mainstream media - dominated by people who opposed his policies - may be surprised by this encounter with the real Ronald Reagan.The man revealed in these letters is thoughtful, witty, genuinely interested in other people, and firm in his Christian faith and his political beliefs. Many of the later letters are obviously the work of a very busy man, but, when he had the opportunity, he clearly enjoyed taking the time and trouble to compose a letter properly - a lost art today.This was given to me as a birthday present, and I value it as one of the best gifts I have ever had. I often dip into it, just to read a letter or two, especially when I am depressed by what I see around me or in public life at all levels, because it reminds me that decency is still possible in both, even in this modern world.
One of Reagan's responsibilities was to give accounts of the Chicago Cubs baseball games over the telegraph. Ronald Reagan did not abandon this skill even when he was rightfully declaring the Soviet Union to be an evil empire. These letters begin during Reagan's childhood and continue to his life as a Hollywood actor, then as Governor of the largest State in the Union, next as President, and finally as a private citizen.In our age of the Internet, the old-fashioned personal correspondence seems something outdated and quaint; it has become a relic of the past. Then I had him foul one that only missed being a homerun by a foot.
They were taught the importance of the written word and its proper use. The book takes the form of the correspondence of Reagan over a period of seven decades. During one game between the Chicago Cubs and their arch rivals the Saint Louis Cardinals that was tied 0-0 in the 9th inning, the telegraph went dead:"There were several other stations broadcasting that game and I knew I'd lose my audience if I told them we'd lost our telegraph connections so I took a chance. When he passed me the paper I started to giggle - it said: "'Jurges popped out on the first ball pitched.'"At over 900 pages, one of the most pleasant things about this book is that it does not have to be read in a sequential manner to be enjoyed, and it does not need be read in one sitting. Even as the President, Reagan corresponded with world leaders and with young schoolchildren alike.
I had (Billy) Jurges hit another foul. Many of these letters are as enjoyable the tenth time as the first. It is clear that men and women of Reagan's generation learned the importance of the English language. I had him foul one back in the stands and took up some time describing the two lads that got in a fight over the ball."I kept on having him foul balls until I was setting a record for a ballplayer hitting successive foul balls and I was getting more than a little scared. He would often apologize for responding late to an individual whether he or she was an intimate of decades or a complete stranger.Some of his letters in the White House give journalists an insight into his life before Hollywood and politics.
Before he became an actor, Ronald Reagan was a radio sportscaster near Des Moines, Iowa. Just then my operator started typing. We miss you, Gipper.
"Reagan, A Life In Letters," is the first book that I have read on President Ronald Reagan and it has nearly confounded me of how little I knew of our 40th U.S. He was an intelligent, compassionate patriot who really loved the United States of America. President. He was so much different and such a better person than he was portrayed by the news media. I was so impressed by the book that I purchased three additional copies and gave them away as gifts. I also purchased three different books about President and Mrs Reagan that I am looking forward to starting.
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