The challenges and threats we as a nation face today are eerily similar to the conditions in the world before the beginning of the Reagan era. In his famous 1976 speech at the Republican National Convention, Ronald Reagan helped define a way forward and strengthened the Republican Party. As we stand at a crossroad once again, we are fortunate to have a blueprint for restoring America's greatness. Reagan has given us the principles to succeed. This book is not merely a diagnosis of our nation's ills but a prescription to heal our nation, rooted in the words and principles of Ronald Reagan. In these pages, Michael Reagan shares the plan his father developed over years of study, observation, and reflection. It is the plan he announced to the nation, straight from his heart, one summer evening during America's two hundredth year. It is the plan he put into action during his eight years in office as one of the most effective presidents of the twentieth century, and it is the plan we can use today to help return America to its former greatness, soundness, and prosperity.
This book has a great message, but the delivery leaves a lot to be desired. As you might guess from the cover, THE NEW REAGAN REVOLUTION isn't too concerned with nuance or subtlety. Sure, it contains a lot of good information, but most of it feels like preaching to the choir. Even as a big fan of Reagan, I found myself sometimes annoyed by the heavy-handedness of it all, especially the way that author (and adopted son to the Gipper himself) Michael Reagan feels the need to use Ronald Reagan's full name in almost every sentence, until it takes on the aspect of a religious mantra. I wish the editor had thought to throw in a few pronouns. THE NEW REAGAN REVOLUTION is a very easy read, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for conservative non-fiction written at a YA-level. Personally though, I would've preferred something a bit more sophisticated--not just the literary equivalent of elevator music. For some reason, this book really attempts to hold the reader's hand: in one section, the author apologizes when things get a bit technical (as though worried we might go back to watching NASCAR at the first sign of a little brain strain), and each chapter ends with a "What We Learned" section--something I haven't seen since middle school. Although I learned many interesting tidbits, the majority of the book's material has already been covered in greater detail by other conservative pundits like Glenn Beck. More than any other book, though, THE NEW REAGAN REVOLUTION made me feel a deep sadness at the way America's greatness has been frittered away ever since Reagan left office after putting the country back on its feet. I wish I could share the author's optimism that it's not yet too late to change course.
I learned some good information and details I was not aware of from the Reagan era. It seemed, however, that Michael left out some important considerations on some events or initiatives. But this was a rational presentation of what has been called "Conservatism" and has been hijacked by some radical populist efforts and simplistic sloganeering.
Economics and Attitudes I am glad I found this book. Reagan explains some of the market mechanisms that make more sense of the common "conservative" proposals that make more sense than the cliché slogans and hateful rhetoric that have so discredited the term "Conservative" and put people off.
Reagan further expresses none of the common emotional attitudes that have become associated with conservatism in the last 20-30 years: mean, angry, hateful, disrespectful, derogatory comments, name-calling and personal slurs, even made-up, false charges and stories about opponents. You probably get these in email like I do.
Reagan admirably decries the name-calling and evil tactics that have become a characteristic of "conservative" attitudes in recent decades. Though the book introduces and recommend the Tea Party, this portrayal and program pleasantly lacked the hateful rancor and derogatory snarls that characterize the Tea Party materials and vocal outbursts I have seen and heard.
Helpful I learned some helpful background and details about some of the events and issues of Reagan's presidency. But from my personal knowledge of the period, and some recent research, I was disappointed that Michael Reagan left out some important considerations and facts that would balance the positive and romantic picture he presents here of his father.
Like, the size of the Federal Government under Reagan grew by almost 10%, rather than shrinking the government, as Reagan had proposed in his campaign. I remember major news items during that Presidency concerning record deficits. Reagan was the first President to reached over $1 trillion dollars in Federal deficits. Other details of the era also counter the fiscal picture "conservatives" like to present.
Growing and Shrinking I did some checking to be sure of the pattern of government growth. One thing Obama opponents never mention and supporters never seem to mention either is that the government under Obama was slimmed down and in 2012 had the lowest number of Federal employees since Ronald Reagan took office. Under Reagan, the number of government employees rose as mentioned.
Under the 8-year Clinton administration, the size of government was pared back again, and the budget deficit was cured and a positive cash flow was restored. Under George W Bush, the size of the Federal government grew by about 12%, while the federal deficit almost doubled. The first of the "Recovery" bailouts to save the banks occurred in the last year of the Bush administration.
The Soviets Michael Reagan also grants a whole lot more credit to the belligerent foreign policies of Reagan and his British colleague Thatcher than seems warranted by the facts of the matter.
Reagan touts the return of pride in America and the regaining of prestige of the US. Probably some Americans felt better about the power pose and macho posture of their country. But in fact there was a general and noticeable decline in trust and admiration for the US. As an American overseas during that era, it was not a pretty sight.
Especially damaging was the demotion of one of the most respected news and educational services of the world, the Voice of America, into a doctrinaire propaganda organ for the State Department. The Voice of America has never yet recovered from that change of personality.
The author claims the fall of the Soviet system for his father's policies. I do think he may be right that the simple, clear and consistent cowboy diplomacy made the Soviets realize they could not play games with him. But the Soviet system fell under its own weight.
From my view of it as I watched it happen, and as I look back over it, it might be argued the belligerence of the US under Reagan actually helped bolster the Soviet bloc for a little extra time by raising their fear anew of the American ring of force that surrounded the Soviet Union's borders on all sides. This seemed to give them a renewed, if short-term, resolve.
Recommended Read this book. You will learn a lot and find a missing perspective on recent American culture and politics. You may find you disagree with some of Michael Reagan's analysis or proposals, but his articulate presentation will enable you to disagree rationally rather than emotionally.
I learned some good information and details I was not aware of from the Reagan era. It seemed, however, that Michael left out some important considerations on some events or initiatives. But this was a rational presentation of what has been called "Conservatism" and has been hijacked by some radical populist efforts and simplistic sloganeering.
Economics and Attitudes I am glad I found this book. Reagan explains some of the market mechanisms that make more sense of the common "conservative" simplistic cliché slogans and hateful rhetoric that have so discredited the term "Conservative" and put people off. Reagan has a clear and understandable style.
Reagan further expresses none of the common emotional attitudes that have become associated with conservatism in the last 20-30 years: mean, angry, hateful, disrespectful, derogatory comments, name-calling and personal slurs, even made-up, false charges and stories about opponents. You probably get these in email like I do.
Reagan admirably decries the name-calling and evil tactics that have become a characteristic of "conservative" attitudes in recent decades. Though the book introduces and recommends the Tea Party, this portrayal and program pleasantly lacked the hateful rancor and derogatory snarls that characterize the Tea Party materials and vocal outbursts I have seen and heard in person.
Helpful I learned some helpful background and details about some of the events and issues of Reagan's presidency. But from my personal knowledge of the period, and some recent research, I was disappointed that Michael Reagan left out some important considerations and facts that would balance the positive and romantic picture he presents here of his father.
Like, the size of the Federal Government under Reagan grew by almost 10%, rather than shrinking the government, as Reagan had proposed in his campaign. I remember major news items during that Presidency concerning record deficits. Reagan was the first President to reach over $1 trillion dollars in Federal deficits. Other details of the era also counter the fiscal picture "conservatives" like to present.
Growing and Shrinking I did some checking to be sure of the pattern of government growth. One thing Obama opponents never mention and supporters never seem to mention either is that the government under Obama was slimmed down and in 2012 had the lowest number of Federal employees since Ronald Reagan took office. Under Reagan, the number of government employees rose as mentioned.
Under the 8-year Clinton administration, the size of government was pared back again, and the budget deficit was cured and a positive cash flow was restored. Under George W Bush, the size of the Federal government grew by about 12%, while the federal deficit almost doubled. The first of the "Recovery" bailouts to save the banks occurred in the last year of the Bush administration.
The Soviets Michael Reagan also gives a whole lot more credit to the belligerent foreign policies of Reagan and his British colleague Thatcher than seems warranted by the facts of the matter.
Reagan touts the return of pride in America and the regaining of prestige of the US. Probably some Americans felt better about the power pose and macho posture of their country. But in fact there was a general and noticeable decline in trust and admiration for the US around the world. To me as an American overseas during that era, it was not a pretty sight.
Especially damaging was the demotion of one of the most respected news and educational services of the world, the Voice of America, into a doctrinaire propaganda organ for the State Department. The Voice of America has never yet recovered from that change of personality.
The author claims the fall of the Soviet system for his father's policies. I do think he may be right that the simple, clear and consistent cowboy diplomacy made the Soviets realize they could not play games with him. But the Soviet system fell under its own weight.
From my view of it as I watched it happen, and as I look back over it, it might be argued the belligerence of the US under Reagan actually helped bolster the Soviet bloc for a little extra time by raising their fear anew of the American ring of force that surrounded the Soviet Union's borders on all sides. This seemed to give them a renewed, if short-term, resolve.
Recommended Read this book. You will learn a lot and find a missing perspective on recent American culture and politics. You may find you disagree with some of Michael Reagan's analysis or proposals, but his articulate presentation will enable you to disagree rationally rather than emotionally.
Once I picked up this book, I could not put it down. I liked it so much that I even got a copy to give to a friend as a birthday present. The book is about one of the greatest leaders, Presidents, of our lifetime. Reagan had a vision and love for America. The book is to re-energize and continue the work that Reagan has begun and fought for. This is a book that everyone, who enjoys politics, history and believes in America, should have. I highly recommend this one.