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The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism
Based on extraordinary research: a major reassessment of Ronald Reagan's lifelong crusade to dismantle the Soviet Empire–including shocking revelations about the liberal American politician who tried to collude with USSR to counter Reagan's efforts
Paul Kengor's God and Ronald Reagan made presidential historian Paul Kengor's name as one of the premier chroniclers of the life and career of the 40th president. Now, with The Crusader, Kengor returns with the one book about Reagan that has not been written: The story of his lifelong crusade against communism, and of his dogged–and ultimately triumphant–effort to overthrow the Soviet Union.
Drawing upon reams of newly declassified presidential papers, as well as untapped Soviet media archives and new interviews with key players, Kengor traces Reagan's efforts to target the Soviet Union from his days as governor of California to the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of what he famously dubbed the "Evil Empire." The result is a major revision and enhancement of what historians are only beginning to realize: That Reagan not only wished for the collapse of communism, but had a deep and specific understanding of what it would take––and effected dozens of policy shifts that brought the USSR to its heels within a decade of his presidency.
The Crusader makes use of key sources from behind the Iron Curtain, including one key memo that implicates a major American liberal politician–still in office today–in a scheme to enlist Soviet premier Yuri Andropov to help defeat Reagan's 1984 reelection bid. Such new finds make The Crusader not just a work of extraordinary history, but a work of explosive revelation that will be debated as hotly in 2006 as Reagan's policies were in the 1980s.
Paul Kengor's God and Ronald Reagan made presidential historian Paul Kengor's name as one of the premier chroniclers of the life and career of the 40th president. Now, with The Crusader, Kengor returns with the one book about Reagan that has not been written: The story of his lifelong crusade against communism, and of his dogged–and ultimately triumphant–effort to overthrow the Soviet Union.
Drawing upon reams of newly declassified presidential papers, as well as untapped Soviet media archives and new interviews with key players, Kengor traces Reagan's efforts to target the Soviet Union from his days as governor of California to the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of what he famously dubbed the "Evil Empire." The result is a major revision and enhancement of what historians are only beginning to realize: That Reagan not only wished for the collapse of communism, but had a deep and specific understanding of what it would take––and effected dozens of policy shifts that brought the USSR to its heels within a decade of his presidency.
The Crusader makes use of key sources from behind the Iron Curtain, including one key memo that implicates a major American liberal politician–still in office today–in a scheme to enlist Soviet premier Yuri Andropov to help defeat Reagan's 1984 reelection bid. Such new finds make The Crusader not just a work of extraordinary history, but a work of explosive revelation that will be debated as hotly in 2006 as Reagan's policies were in the 1980s.
432 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
About the author
Paul Kengor
43 books153 followersPaul G. Kengor is an author and professor of political science at Grove City College and the senior director of the Institute for Faith and Freedom, a Grove City College think tank. He is a visiting fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution on War, Revolution, and Peace. Kengor has focused much of his work on Ronald Reagan, faith and the presidency, conservative politics, the Cold War, Communism, and Catholicism.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
April 7, 2011
A few years back, I was having an argument with a (rather liberal) friend of mine about the collapse of European communism. We are both from Europe, but we grew up on different sides of the East-West divide. His was what I came to understand the conventional view of people on the left: the communism collapsed due to its internal contradictions, because it was not the "real" communism, and a string of similar sorts of nonsense. As with many other issues that we argued about, I could not have disagreed more. Indeed, communism had enough of the internal problems that its eventual demise was inevitable, however left to its own devices, the eventual collapse would surely taken many more years, or even decades if not longer to unravel, with incalculable cost in human misery that would have engendered. Those of us who have had the luck to avoid that misery are grateful for all the external pressures exercised on that political system that hastened its demise, in particular the pressure that United States has exercised during all those decades of the Cold War, culminating with the final strong push by president Ronald Reagan and his administration. This book is a valuable record of what motivated Reagan to see the communism for what it really was - an evil system bent on repressing its own citizens. The book documents Reagan's anti-communist stand from his earliest political days, all the way through his years in the office. It gives an invaluable event-by-event chronology of all the systematic and relentless effort that Reagan put into dismantling the communist influence everywhere in the world that culminated in the final collapse of the Soviet Union and its many Eastern European satellite-states.
If there is one criticism that I would have against this book, it would be that it sometimes portrays Reagan too one-dimensionally. The reader gets the impression that anti-communism was the only motivator behind this great American president. Nevertheless, this is a great andextremely well researched book and it is extremely valuable to anyone with interest in either Ronald Reagan or the Cold War.
If there is one criticism that I would have against this book, it would be that it sometimes portrays Reagan too one-dimensionally. The reader gets the impression that anti-communism was the only motivator behind this great American president. Nevertheless, this is a great andextremely well researched book and it is extremely valuable to anyone with interest in either Ronald Reagan or the Cold War.
December 1, 2009
To all who feel Ronald Reagan was a sweet talking, below average intelligent dolt whose only role in ending the Cold War was simply being in the right place at the right time, read this book! You are wrong! Through meticulous and broad research using dozens of recently declassified documents from both the Americans and Soviets as well as in- depth interviews with key players on both sides, this book proves that Ronald Reagan's hand in ending the Cold War was not only guided by his own intelligence and determination, but that the Cold War would simply not have ended when it did if it wasn't for Reagan. Again, I can't say enough about the solid research that bolster's Kengor's argument. He goes right to the source and gives you a front row seat in the White House and Kremlin themselves during the Cold War and allows you to witness first hand the very real war that was being waged between freedom and oppression. Kengor also discusses the critics of Reagan in several of the chapter's, going right to their main arguments and elaborating on either how they have come to their conclusions through misinterpretation of evidence or how their interpretations were formed simply with a lack of available evidence at the time (like I said, many of these documents have only been declassified within the last few years). Perhaps the greatest declassified document included is actually included in its entirety in the appendix, and it is a letter from then Senator Ted Kennedy to the Soviets in 1984 concerning his and the Democrats disgust with Reagan's "warmongering" and "crazy tactics" and their desire to get a more "moderate" candidate elected who is more effective at working with the Soviets. I couldn't believe it. The verdict of history has clearly established the winners and losers of the political debates of the 1980s. In short, Ronald Reagan defeated an enemy, Communism, that was responsible for more deaths than both World Wars combined without so much as a single military engagement.
RECOMMENDED FOR:
1. People who want to be inspired and motivated by a man's crusade to spread the fruits of freedom to the oppressed of the world.
2. OR anyone who believes Reagan's legacy is a myth and he was simply a charismatic dolt who was unintelligent and largely not responsible for the successful policies of his advisors.
RECOMMENDED FOR:
1. People who want to be inspired and motivated by a man's crusade to spread the fruits of freedom to the oppressed of the world.
2. OR anyone who believes Reagan's legacy is a myth and he was simply a charismatic dolt who was unintelligent and largely not responsible for the successful policies of his advisors.
September 19, 2024
This book is a cause exemplaire. Why do we keep allowing such nonsense to be published, and then to be repeated as fact?
The book’s “explosive revelation” is a KGB letter stating that Ted Kennedy had approached the Soviets to hinder Reagan’s reelection campaign in 1984. Kengor states in his Notes section that it was featured by The Times of London in 1992. What Kengor doesn’t mention is that same article in 1992 has the supposed intermediary John Tunney emphatically denying the letter’s authenticity. Tunney would, again, deny the letter’s authenticity in 2005. The Reagan Library would in turn search their own records and find nothing supporting anything supporting this document. Max Kampelman, a negotiator for Reagan with the Soviets also denied the letter’s authenticity. Damning is that Paul Kengor apparently had “hundreds” of interviews and even though Kampleman died nine years after this books completion he never sought out his advice even though it would be very pertinent. Kengor reports that “Richard Pipes says it’s real!” but then while it is a real memo the KGB have been notorious for producing false memos. Richard Pipes ought to have known that, although Richard Pipes is a dodgy analyst himself. Intelligence officer Richard Lehman would say that Pipes said “things which were full of nonsense but which sounded good.” in assessing the Soviet nuclear arsenal.
The reliability of this memo casts doubt over the rest of Kengor’s book and certainly Kengor’s ability as a historian.
We’ve been choked on hagiographic material regarding the Reagan presidency for far too long to the extent that it’s being treated as sober analysis when it’s not. The Reagan presidency needs to be subjected to a better historical reading than it has been.
The book’s “explosive revelation” is a KGB letter stating that Ted Kennedy had approached the Soviets to hinder Reagan’s reelection campaign in 1984. Kengor states in his Notes section that it was featured by The Times of London in 1992. What Kengor doesn’t mention is that same article in 1992 has the supposed intermediary John Tunney emphatically denying the letter’s authenticity. Tunney would, again, deny the letter’s authenticity in 2005. The Reagan Library would in turn search their own records and find nothing supporting anything supporting this document. Max Kampelman, a negotiator for Reagan with the Soviets also denied the letter’s authenticity. Damning is that Paul Kengor apparently had “hundreds” of interviews and even though Kampleman died nine years after this books completion he never sought out his advice even though it would be very pertinent. Kengor reports that “Richard Pipes says it’s real!” but then while it is a real memo the KGB have been notorious for producing false memos. Richard Pipes ought to have known that, although Richard Pipes is a dodgy analyst himself. Intelligence officer Richard Lehman would say that Pipes said “things which were full of nonsense but which sounded good.” in assessing the Soviet nuclear arsenal.
The reliability of this memo casts doubt over the rest of Kengor’s book and certainly Kengor’s ability as a historian.
We’ve been choked on hagiographic material regarding the Reagan presidency for far too long to the extent that it’s being treated as sober analysis when it’s not. The Reagan presidency needs to be subjected to a better historical reading than it has been.
September 18, 2013
Paul Kengor, a professor at Grove City College, has written a number of books, and I've enjoyed each one of them. He's excellent at writing biographic sketches of people, backed by good academic work, but doing an excellent job of discussing the actual person, as a person, and what made them tick. This is his best book yet, because his scholarship is just getting stronger and more thorough, and he's getting better and better at weaving it in to his personal biographic sketches.
This one is heavy on the "what" and the "how" and then explaining "why" as part of the fabric of the story. He does the most thorough job of explaining what Reagan's foreign policy was, and how he went about doing it, that I've read up to this point, including in many books written by people that were closer to him at the time. Part of this is because there have been a lot of declassified documents, both in the US and in the USSR and it's client states, but part of it is just because Kengor is better at weaving these themes together in a seamless narrative.
Bottom line is this book is a real winner. Anyone interested in foreign policy of the Reagan Presidency, or any facet thereof, would benefit greatly from reading this book.
This one is heavy on the "what" and the "how" and then explaining "why" as part of the fabric of the story. He does the most thorough job of explaining what Reagan's foreign policy was, and how he went about doing it, that I've read up to this point, including in many books written by people that were closer to him at the time. Part of this is because there have been a lot of declassified documents, both in the US and in the USSR and it's client states, but part of it is just because Kengor is better at weaving these themes together in a seamless narrative.
Bottom line is this book is a real winner. Anyone interested in foreign policy of the Reagan Presidency, or any facet thereof, would benefit greatly from reading this book.
October 31, 2022
Well-researched and very informative.
November 6, 2023
Great read about a great man!!
October 7, 2024
I had no idea this one man was so instrumental in tearing down the Soviet Union. Having said that, this is not an easy book to read. It's closer to a university textbook than a biography. With hundreds of names, dates, and political and military acronyms (as well as 94 pages of reference notes), it's ideal for someone with a voracious appetite for political strategy. Not so much for the casual reader.
March 8, 2018
We all know that Reagan called on Gorbachev to tear down the wall but I had no idea how Reagan had purposely worked for the overthrow of the Soviet Union for decades. He first announced this goal in 1967. He did amazing things that I had never heard about before. For example, he knew that the Soviet economy was struggling so he kept expanding our defense spending. At one point the U.S. was spending twice Russia's GDP on our defense. The Russians finally realized that there was no way they could keep up. Meanwhile Reagan secretly worked a deal with Saudi Arabia for them to flood the oil market. They just sold more and Russia lost one of their most important exports. Also when Reagan had the first SDI missle lauched to prove it would work there was a beacon in the target that made our missle hit it. In other words, we duped the Russians into believing we had a SDI prototype. There are many remarkable stories here that I had previously missed.
(Note: I'm stingy with stars. For me 2 stars means a good book. 3 = Very good; 4 = Outstanding {only about 5% of the books I read merit this}; 5 = All time favorites {one of these may come along every 400-500 books})
(Note: I'm stingy with stars. For me 2 stars means a good book. 3 = Very good; 4 = Outstanding {only about 5% of the books I read merit this}; 5 = All time favorites {one of these may come along every 400-500 books})
July 15, 2022
As Ronald Reagan traveled to the Republican convention in July 1980, Stuart Spencer, a friend of Reagan's wife Nancy and a political advisor, asked, "Why are you doing this, Ron? Why do you want to be president?" At this time, Reagan was almost 70 years old. He had lived an extraordinary life, starring in Hollywood movies, serving two enormously successful terms as the 33rd Governor of California, and much more. Despite all he had accomplished, the mission of Reagan's life remained unfulfilled. Turning back to Spencer, Reagan did not have to search hard for his answer. He unhesitatingly replied that the reason he was running for president was, "To end the Cold War. There has to be a way, and it's time." It was indeed time. Through his exhaustive research in "The Crusader," Paul Kengor takes the reader along each step of Reagan's 40-year crusade against Soviet communism, revealing how President Reagan orchestrated the strategy that ultimately won the Cold War and fulfilled his life-long mission to save the world from an "Evil Empire." Reagan was one of the greatest heroes of the twentieth century, and Kengor tells the story of his victory over Soviet communism extremely well.
May 28, 2026
I saw the author's name listed in the 2024 movie Reagan, and I was keen to find this book one day and read it. I managed to find it in a library during Memorial Day weekend. Having seen a few documentaries and a few books on Ronald Reagan, I wanted to see how it would compare.
This book is, essentially, Ronald Reagan's greatest triumph in the Fall of Communism. Specifically, the fall of the Soviet Union and other failed communist countries in Eastern Europe and Latin America, and it's a magnificent read. There is a modicum of his life growing up, but this isn't a biography; we don't get to read about Dutch growing up in Illinois and his family, but we do learn that he was destined to save the day with his old job as the local lifeguard. It's that foundation that builds him as the hero the story takes him to be. Afterwards, it's his acting career where he associated with liberal actors with communist sympathies, to his job as the President of the Screen Actors Guild, which led him to weed out communists, but at the same time wanted to work against rabid Red Scare tactics. His career dwindled from films to hosting the GE Theater to his legendary "Time for Choosing" speech. His governorship and failed presidential candidacy in 1976, to his landslide success in 1980.
From there, the book shows how he did it via a brilliance in understanding that the Soviet system was doomed to fail because of its fears of nuclear warfare, which led to overspending in their military, as well as intelligence provided by a great spy that exposed the Soviet Union as weak in technological advancement, which led Reagan to create the Strategic Defense Initiative. From there came supporting the ascension of various anti-Communist movements from Solidarity in Poland, the military action in Grenada, supplying the Afghanistan resistance movement with Stinger missiles, to the controversial support of the Nicaraguan resistance. But not just forceful measures, economic sanctions, and, some would say, sabotage of the Soviet economy by working against a natural gas pipeline to obtain cheaper oil from the Saudis. The result, despite all the criticisms from the opposition in the United States and the world, led to the downfall of the Soviet Union with a leadership that was desperate to keep the system intact, but in the end came to an end. It may not have completely happened in Reagan's last term, but it happened in his successor's. A heroic triumph from the former lifeguard.
This was a great read. Not as thorough as I expected from the movie I watched, but very good. I even enjoyed that the title was taken from a nickname thrown by the Soviets' description of Reagan, only it wasn't meant as a compliment, for a system that acknowledged atheism, it was meant as an insult. Ronald Reagan, the Crusader, may it ever be as complimentary as the bearers of the Cross hold it over their hearts and souls of the Savior who bore it for humanity.
This book is, essentially, Ronald Reagan's greatest triumph in the Fall of Communism. Specifically, the fall of the Soviet Union and other failed communist countries in Eastern Europe and Latin America, and it's a magnificent read. There is a modicum of his life growing up, but this isn't a biography; we don't get to read about Dutch growing up in Illinois and his family, but we do learn that he was destined to save the day with his old job as the local lifeguard. It's that foundation that builds him as the hero the story takes him to be. Afterwards, it's his acting career where he associated with liberal actors with communist sympathies, to his job as the President of the Screen Actors Guild, which led him to weed out communists, but at the same time wanted to work against rabid Red Scare tactics. His career dwindled from films to hosting the GE Theater to his legendary "Time for Choosing" speech. His governorship and failed presidential candidacy in 1976, to his landslide success in 1980.
From there, the book shows how he did it via a brilliance in understanding that the Soviet system was doomed to fail because of its fears of nuclear warfare, which led to overspending in their military, as well as intelligence provided by a great spy that exposed the Soviet Union as weak in technological advancement, which led Reagan to create the Strategic Defense Initiative. From there came supporting the ascension of various anti-Communist movements from Solidarity in Poland, the military action in Grenada, supplying the Afghanistan resistance movement with Stinger missiles, to the controversial support of the Nicaraguan resistance. But not just forceful measures, economic sanctions, and, some would say, sabotage of the Soviet economy by working against a natural gas pipeline to obtain cheaper oil from the Saudis. The result, despite all the criticisms from the opposition in the United States and the world, led to the downfall of the Soviet Union with a leadership that was desperate to keep the system intact, but in the end came to an end. It may not have completely happened in Reagan's last term, but it happened in his successor's. A heroic triumph from the former lifeguard.
This was a great read. Not as thorough as I expected from the movie I watched, but very good. I even enjoyed that the title was taken from a nickname thrown by the Soviets' description of Reagan, only it wasn't meant as a compliment, for a system that acknowledged atheism, it was meant as an insult. Ronald Reagan, the Crusader, may it ever be as complimentary as the bearers of the Cross hold it over their hearts and souls of the Savior who bore it for humanity.
March 9, 2025
This book reviews Ronald Reagan and his role in bringing down the Soviet Union.
It begins by going through his life up until his presidency, including Reagan's early encounters with Communism in Hollywood and his subsequent political journey up until his presidency. The overarching theme is Reagan's consistent anti-Communist convictions and his deeply embedded wish to see them gone.
The bulk of the book chronicles his presidency and the monumental and stubborn efforts he undertook to push the USSR into oblivion. Reagan discarded the longstanding US policy of containment (preventing Communism from expanding beyond the spheres it already controlled) and reoriented America's foreign policy outlook to actively help reverse Communist control and ultimately bring about its destruction.
The book discusses the actions Reagan took - from the arms race to economic warfare to subversive assistance to resistance fighters. Basically, Reagan utilized every course of action he could find - short of risking war - to push the 'evil empire' over the edge and into collapse.
The book also details a lot of Reagan's magnificent rhetoric on his anti-Communist crusade; revealing an inspirational visionary with remarkable prescience, a strong sense of right and wrong ('simplistic ideas' would be the preferred academic label), devout faith, and a deep love of freedom. Reagan's unrelenting optimism shines from these pages.
Overall, this is an excellent look at the man who set out to destroy the Soviet Union and, with help, did just that.
I'd recommend this to anyone looking to learn more about the role America had in bringing the USSR to its knees, as well as to Reagan admirers (and historians) looking to get a more complete picture of this important aspect of a beloved president's life and legacy.
It begins by going through his life up until his presidency, including Reagan's early encounters with Communism in Hollywood and his subsequent political journey up until his presidency. The overarching theme is Reagan's consistent anti-Communist convictions and his deeply embedded wish to see them gone.
The bulk of the book chronicles his presidency and the monumental and stubborn efforts he undertook to push the USSR into oblivion. Reagan discarded the longstanding US policy of containment (preventing Communism from expanding beyond the spheres it already controlled) and reoriented America's foreign policy outlook to actively help reverse Communist control and ultimately bring about its destruction.
The book discusses the actions Reagan took - from the arms race to economic warfare to subversive assistance to resistance fighters. Basically, Reagan utilized every course of action he could find - short of risking war - to push the 'evil empire' over the edge and into collapse.
The book also details a lot of Reagan's magnificent rhetoric on his anti-Communist crusade; revealing an inspirational visionary with remarkable prescience, a strong sense of right and wrong ('simplistic ideas' would be the preferred academic label), devout faith, and a deep love of freedom. Reagan's unrelenting optimism shines from these pages.
Overall, this is an excellent look at the man who set out to destroy the Soviet Union and, with help, did just that.
I'd recommend this to anyone looking to learn more about the role America had in bringing the USSR to its knees, as well as to Reagan admirers (and historians) looking to get a more complete picture of this important aspect of a beloved president's life and legacy.
September 2, 2025
Kengor mentions that the title of this book..."The Crusader" might be oddly named. However, after reading the book, I find it to be perfectly named. It is very obvious that the research for this book was meticulous and intentional. This work is a beautiful study on the crusade of President Reagan on the totalitarian state of the former Soviet Union
Kengor draws on a multitude of sources, diving deep into Soviet archives, pulling news clips, newspapers, and journals from both American and Soviet archives in order to paint the picture of Reagan's attack on the Soviets from both sides involved. Kengor gives personality to many influential individuals who assisted Reagan, including Margaret Thatcher and Pope John Paul II. Further, Kengor also draws upon KGB documents in order to highlight the steps the Soviet state took to silence those who opposed them. He dives remarkably deep into each major point of discussion during the 1980's, making sure to highlight the importance of Reagan's NSDD acts, the arms race as an economic weapon, US support of Mujahedin rebels in Afghanistan, Poland and the Solidarity movement, and SDI; all aimed solely as weapons to be used to dismantle the Soviet regime.
While I tend to be a fan of Reagan, it is still important in historical works to remain as unbiased as possible, but Kengor is clearly very fond of Reagan; however, he again backs up each point he makes with evidence sourced from both Soviet and American sourced. Overall, this book is an absolute essential for anybody even remotely interested in Cold War politics, as Kengor masterfully highlights both American, Soviet, and other influential players' like Thatcher, and Pope John Paul II's bilateral efforts to dismantle the totalitarian regime of the Soviet Union.
Kengor draws on a multitude of sources, diving deep into Soviet archives, pulling news clips, newspapers, and journals from both American and Soviet archives in order to paint the picture of Reagan's attack on the Soviets from both sides involved. Kengor gives personality to many influential individuals who assisted Reagan, including Margaret Thatcher and Pope John Paul II. Further, Kengor also draws upon KGB documents in order to highlight the steps the Soviet state took to silence those who opposed them. He dives remarkably deep into each major point of discussion during the 1980's, making sure to highlight the importance of Reagan's NSDD acts, the arms race as an economic weapon, US support of Mujahedin rebels in Afghanistan, Poland and the Solidarity movement, and SDI; all aimed solely as weapons to be used to dismantle the Soviet regime.
While I tend to be a fan of Reagan, it is still important in historical works to remain as unbiased as possible, but Kengor is clearly very fond of Reagan; however, he again backs up each point he makes with evidence sourced from both Soviet and American sourced. Overall, this book is an absolute essential for anybody even remotely interested in Cold War politics, as Kengor masterfully highlights both American, Soviet, and other influential players' like Thatcher, and Pope John Paul II's bilateral efforts to dismantle the totalitarian regime of the Soviet Union.
December 31, 2025
It really didn’t take me almost six months to read this book. I enjoyed it so much, even only part way through, that I didn’t want to finish it, so I put it aside for a while. As I got new books for Christmas, I felt that I should wrap this up so that I could move on.
This book focused solely on President Reagan’s passion for stopping and reversing the spread of communism. While things like Reaganomics, the Iran-Contra Affair, and other talking points about his presidency were touched on, they were referred to only in how they related to his plan to stop communism in its tracks. To that end, this book was phenomenal. President Reagan was an anti-Communist well before his time in the Oval Office, and this book goes all the way back to Reagan’s time in Hollywood to start the story. He truly felt that socialism and communism deprived people of God-given freedom, and he felt a real responsibility to assist oppressed people whenever and wherever he could. I was already a fan of Ronald Reagan before reading this book, and while no presidency is perfect, I have to say that my appreciation for this man is even greater after having finished this work. The author included perspectives from not only liberal critics of President Reagan, but also the perspective from behind the Iron Curtain. In my opinion, it was a very fair, balanced look at Reagan’s crusade, and even some of his biggest critics are forced to admit that Reagan wasn’t the doddering fool he was sometimes portrayed to be. I highly recommend it for a detailed look at the lengths to which President Reagan went to dismantle communism and its biggest source, the Soviet Union.
This book focused solely on President Reagan’s passion for stopping and reversing the spread of communism. While things like Reaganomics, the Iran-Contra Affair, and other talking points about his presidency were touched on, they were referred to only in how they related to his plan to stop communism in its tracks. To that end, this book was phenomenal. President Reagan was an anti-Communist well before his time in the Oval Office, and this book goes all the way back to Reagan’s time in Hollywood to start the story. He truly felt that socialism and communism deprived people of God-given freedom, and he felt a real responsibility to assist oppressed people whenever and wherever he could. I was already a fan of Ronald Reagan before reading this book, and while no presidency is perfect, I have to say that my appreciation for this man is even greater after having finished this work. The author included perspectives from not only liberal critics of President Reagan, but also the perspective from behind the Iron Curtain. In my opinion, it was a very fair, balanced look at Reagan’s crusade, and even some of his biggest critics are forced to admit that Reagan wasn’t the doddering fool he was sometimes portrayed to be. I highly recommend it for a detailed look at the lengths to which President Reagan went to dismantle communism and its biggest source, the Soviet Union.
March 27, 2025
I love Paul Kengor and his other writings on Reagan, but this may be his best. Sometimes he can get very bogged down in source material, but this is a focused read on how Reagan was always focused on tearing down communism. From his early days in Hollywood. His call to tear down the wall wasn't a spur of the moment capitalization on political realities, he called for it in the 1960's in a debate with RFK. It really is amazing to consider the shift from containment to his call to end the Soviet Union. Kengor covers most of the usual Reagan ground, but 3 interesting connections I came away with.
1. He ties his desire to save the world from communism to his start as a life guard during his teenage summers. His life saving started then and winning the Cold war was the natural extension of that.
2. He was so popular leading into the 1984 election that Ted Kennedy was exploring a propaganda tour with Andropov to share the Soviet side of the war. This revelation was fascinating to me and includes good source material.
3. Heavy focus on his efforts in Poland and Afghanistan to undermine the Soviets. Major Reagan biographies don't even mention Lech Walesa or the mujahedeen, but both were critical to the fall of the next half century. For maybe $50M the US was able to use Poland as the wedge that broke East Europe free. Afghanistan was critical to the fall, but some of the ungrateful mujahadeen would eventually turn their guns on the US for not more openly taking their side. Very interesting read and well written.
1. He ties his desire to save the world from communism to his start as a life guard during his teenage summers. His life saving started then and winning the Cold war was the natural extension of that.
2. He was so popular leading into the 1984 election that Ted Kennedy was exploring a propaganda tour with Andropov to share the Soviet side of the war. This revelation was fascinating to me and includes good source material.
3. Heavy focus on his efforts in Poland and Afghanistan to undermine the Soviets. Major Reagan biographies don't even mention Lech Walesa or the mujahedeen, but both were critical to the fall of the next half century. For maybe $50M the US was able to use Poland as the wedge that broke East Europe free. Afghanistan was critical to the fall, but some of the ungrateful mujahadeen would eventually turn their guns on the US for not more openly taking their side. Very interesting read and well written.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2022
The title At first when I came across this book, made me question the Author's motive,seeing there is so much respect for this Great Man, and so much disrespect for him from Unreasonable and delusional apologetics.This Book Is a wonderful Tome, And Re-Confirmed the Belief That Yes he was A BIG Reason if not the only I would dare Say That By God's Grace, Evil Tyranny(Communism) Fell. And that he completed his Mission. Who Doesn't Like Reagan? A Former Classical Liberal Democrat and Union Man then Republican(The Liberals sold out to the Extreme Left in the 60s),He fought Communism all his life and with Good reason. My Personal Bias obviously shows in my review, However, Classical liberals(OldSchool) and Conservatives, Patriots and Most who respect This Man Can agree that He did so Much For this Country that was left in Shambles by an On the Job 1term Inexperienced Liberal(History Repeats Itself).I am Proud To be a Conservative Republican, Proud of Reagan and My Country.This Book Is an Excellent Starting Point for any Reagan Fan or Political Science Student.
October 10, 2024
This is the Cold War through Reagan's eyes. Like many of the early Kennedy books (A Thousand Days and To Move a Nation) it is not a balanced portrait nor is it a history of the Cold War. But it is an important source of insight into Reagan's thinking and leadership ability. The book is especially good at capturing the power of Reagan as a communicator of ideas and values and at chronicling Moscow's view of Reagan the man. It was a remarkable presidency, one that in retrospect looks better every year. The critics of his administration have their points, but still have to face the fact that 1980-1988 saw a revival of the American spirit, an economic turnaround, and the liberation of Eastern Europe soon after--all attributable to Reagan's vision and policies. The Last Best Hope is a collection of Reagan's speeches from 1964 to his farewell letter to the nation ion 1994. An actor to be sure but also a man with a message and the ability to deliver it. Truly the Great Communicator.
July 24, 2024
I listened to the audiobook. This isn't a full political biography, but focused mainly on Reagan's crusade against communism. Reagan first mentioned that the Berlin wall should come down in 1967, long before he was president of the USA. It was a long time goal which came to fruition. Without Reagan the Soviet Union may still be dominant, and communism more prominent throughout the world. We need more Reagan's!
February 11, 2025
A very interesting and informative book. Not an easy, light book to read. It goes into great detail, contains lots and lots of facts and data, requiring me to go back and re-read many paragraphs & sections.
Reagan was a brilliant leader and not one to give in to his bright advisors, whom could often question him & disagree with him.
He researched issues and gave great thought to decisions, before he executed his orders.
I learned so much from reading this book!
Reagan was a brilliant leader and not one to give in to his bright advisors, whom could often question him & disagree with him.
He researched issues and gave great thought to decisions, before he executed his orders.
I learned so much from reading this book!
January 1, 2025
Detailed and well-written but I preferred Three Days in Moscow a bit more as The Crusader moved at a slower pace and the amount of details led to getting bogged down in places. Kengor has certainly researched this well and for someone looking for insight on Ronald Reagan and his role in ending the Cold War this would certainly be an interesting and good place to start.
May 3, 2025
We saw the movie last fall and were the youngest people in the audience. A really in depth and informative read. Learned some stuff I never knew and would recommend this book. I still remember as a kid clear as day Reagan’s funeral being on TV and the coverage that lasted during that time. Hopefully I can visit his library in California someday. 🇺🇸
August 16, 2020
Great book! I learned a lot.
January 15, 2023
Ronald Reagan was the last real politician. This kind of men are no longer in charge of things.
September 24, 2024
Excellent book showing the focus of Ronald Reagan in fighting communism.
October 12, 2024
Very different from the movie that was based on the book. But in a good and way more complex way.
August 3, 2024
Superb biography focusing on Ronald Reagan's life long battle against Communism and the Soviet Union, form his days as an actor to president of the United States. Kengor superbly chronicles Reagan's life long battle against Communism, highlighting some forgotten aspects of his battle, such as his testimony to the HUAC committee in 1948, where he didn't name names and even defended the right of the Communist party to exist in the United States. A superb read from beginning to end.
July 14, 2024
AN UNAPOLOGETICALLY LAUDATORY EXAMINATION OF REAGAN'S ROLE
Paul Kengor is a professor of political science at Grove City College. He wrote in the Preface to this 2006 book, "To Moscow, Reagan's crusade was synonymous with his effort to undermine the Communist empire. The Kremlin understood his intentions completely. The objective of this book is to reveal Reagan's intent to undermine and, in the process, illuminate his personal role in this historic effort."
He suggests that Reagan "wanted to strangle the Soviets economically and martial law (in Poland) offered a perfect excuse to heighten the stakes of economic warfare." (Pg. 107) He adds that "Reagan had long viewed economics as a means to facilitate political change in the Soviet Union." (Pg. 118)
Reagan escalated the level of rhetoric, as well. "Just when it seemed that the Soviets could not be more apoplectic over what they had been hearing from the Oval Office... the president told the National Association of Evangelicals ... (that the USSR) was 'the focus of evil in the modern world'; it was an 'evil empire.'" (Pg. 173) It was in the same month (March 1983) that he launched the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), which became known as "Star Wars." (Pg. 175)
He notes that a variety of individuals (including former Soviet officials) suggested that Reagan helped to "create" Mikhail Gorbachev, "by generating policies that led to a decisive need for change in Moscow's inner circle." (Pg. 219) Most dramatically came Reagan's stirring challenge on June 12, 1987 (while standing next to the Berlin Wall), "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" (Pg. 263) Kengor admits, however, that during the Iran-Contra scandal of 1987, Reagan was "forced to spend less time focusing on his plans to fight Communism and more time centered on how to reduce public anger over the situation." (Pg. 270)
This book is a fascinating study of this crucial time in world history.
Paul Kengor is a professor of political science at Grove City College. He wrote in the Preface to this 2006 book, "To Moscow, Reagan's crusade was synonymous with his effort to undermine the Communist empire. The Kremlin understood his intentions completely. The objective of this book is to reveal Reagan's intent to undermine and, in the process, illuminate his personal role in this historic effort."
He suggests that Reagan "wanted to strangle the Soviets economically and martial law (in Poland) offered a perfect excuse to heighten the stakes of economic warfare." (Pg. 107) He adds that "Reagan had long viewed economics as a means to facilitate political change in the Soviet Union." (Pg. 118)
Reagan escalated the level of rhetoric, as well. "Just when it seemed that the Soviets could not be more apoplectic over what they had been hearing from the Oval Office... the president told the National Association of Evangelicals ... (that the USSR) was 'the focus of evil in the modern world'; it was an 'evil empire.'" (Pg. 173) It was in the same month (March 1983) that he launched the Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI), which became known as "Star Wars." (Pg. 175)
He notes that a variety of individuals (including former Soviet officials) suggested that Reagan helped to "create" Mikhail Gorbachev, "by generating policies that led to a decisive need for change in Moscow's inner circle." (Pg. 219) Most dramatically came Reagan's stirring challenge on June 12, 1987 (while standing next to the Berlin Wall), "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" (Pg. 263) Kengor admits, however, that during the Iran-Contra scandal of 1987, Reagan was "forced to spend less time focusing on his plans to fight Communism and more time centered on how to reduce public anger over the situation." (Pg. 270)
This book is a fascinating study of this crucial time in world history.
December 26, 2008
This is an enjoyable read and makes a strong case that Reagan was one of the greatest American presidents. However, it focuses primarily on Reagan's foreign policy exploits; so don't expect to find much detail about his economic policies.
Regardless, the foreign policy anecdotes are excellent. For example, in 1981 the French brought what was called the "Farewell Dossier" to the attention of U.S. intelligence agencies and Reagan's National Security Staff. A Soviet defector by the name of Colonel Vladimir Vetrov, who was the author of the dossier, wrote that approximately 100 spies throughout the West had infiltrated various government agencies and privates corporations and were stealing key defense technology for the Soviets. In response, Reagan authorized U.S. intelligence agencies to leak faulty technology to the Soviets. In one particularly successful instance, the Soviets were leaked faulty computer software, which they in turn used to run their new Siberian gas pipeline. Unbeknownst to them, the software was programmed to initially pass Soviet quality-control tests, until a hidden program within the software eventually instructed the pumps and valves to produce pressure beyond capacity, which in turn caused the pipeline to explode. According to the book, it was "the most monumental non-nuclear explosion and fire ever seen from space."
Needless to say, I hate the Soviets, so this story put a smile on my face.
Regardless, the foreign policy anecdotes are excellent. For example, in 1981 the French brought what was called the "Farewell Dossier" to the attention of U.S. intelligence agencies and Reagan's National Security Staff. A Soviet defector by the name of Colonel Vladimir Vetrov, who was the author of the dossier, wrote that approximately 100 spies throughout the West had infiltrated various government agencies and privates corporations and were stealing key defense technology for the Soviets. In response, Reagan authorized U.S. intelligence agencies to leak faulty technology to the Soviets. In one particularly successful instance, the Soviets were leaked faulty computer software, which they in turn used to run their new Siberian gas pipeline. Unbeknownst to them, the software was programmed to initially pass Soviet quality-control tests, until a hidden program within the software eventually instructed the pumps and valves to produce pressure beyond capacity, which in turn caused the pipeline to explode. According to the book, it was "the most monumental non-nuclear explosion and fire ever seen from space."
Needless to say, I hate the Soviets, so this story put a smile on my face.
November 19, 2011
Paul Kengor's book is an interesting look at the Reagan legacy with regards to foreign policy. While a Reagan booster and fan of the president I think this book goes to far in asserting what Reagan knew about the downfall of the Soviet Union. Underscored in the Kengor's points is one key difference the Reagan often does not get enough credit for which is that Reagan was the first president who believed the Soviet Union could be defeated. To say however that he came in with a plan to destroy the evil empire is a little far fetched. Overall though Kengor's points are well illustrated and he ties together a thematic view of Ronald Reagan upon the lens of foreign policy. I think the reviewer who puts this between David McCullough and Sean Hannity has it in the exact right place for where it falls in the historical spectrum. While they are more detailed books on Reagan (see Richard Reeves) the are also ones that are unabashed praise which is a bad thing regardless of your political persuasion (see D'souza). For those who want to get a quick overview of Reagan's efforts in foreign policy this is a great place to start.
May 30, 2013
This is the first historical book that I've read on Ronald Reagan. I bought it about five years ago, and never got around to it. I finally decided to give it a go, and I was both concerned and surprised.
Although Paul Kengor presents a very partial view of the overall Reagan Administration, I can not argue with the historical evidence he used in trying to prove his thesis that Ronald Reagan ended the Cold War. There were very compelling points he made throughout the book, especially Reagan's use of economic warfare (SDI) that placed massive pressure on a failing Soviet economy.
I know that this book was entirely devoted to the Cold War, but I thought it was a poor decision by Kengor to only skim over the Iran/Contra Affair. Nevertheless, I must give him props for admitting that it was a massive stain on Reagan's legacy.
Overall, this book was better than I thought. It was thoroughly researched, and Kengor did a good job of proving his point. I definitely recommend this book to Reagan fans.
Although Paul Kengor presents a very partial view of the overall Reagan Administration, I can not argue with the historical evidence he used in trying to prove his thesis that Ronald Reagan ended the Cold War. There were very compelling points he made throughout the book, especially Reagan's use of economic warfare (SDI) that placed massive pressure on a failing Soviet economy.
I know that this book was entirely devoted to the Cold War, but I thought it was a poor decision by Kengor to only skim over the Iran/Contra Affair. Nevertheless, I must give him props for admitting that it was a massive stain on Reagan's legacy.
Overall, this book was better than I thought. It was thoroughly researched, and Kengor did a good job of proving his point. I definitely recommend this book to Reagan fans.
March 21, 2010
I just finished this one. It was so amazing. I only thought Reagan was my hero before. He is firmly my favorite president in the history of our nation. Only Washington and Lincoln equal him in true greatness, But for me Reagan eclipses them. He was MY president. I wish I had been old enough to vote for him.
Well, about the book...
Kengor creates a cohesive and meticulously documented portrait of a perceptive and purposeful Cold Warrior who never had any foreign policy goal other that the destruction of communist totalitarianism and the expansion of freedom around the world. Krengor clearly shows a philosophical consistency from Reagan days as president of SAG to his last years of lucidity (pre-Alzheimer's.
Anyone that really wants to understand how America won the Cold War should read this fantastic book.
Well, about the book...
Kengor creates a cohesive and meticulously documented portrait of a perceptive and purposeful Cold Warrior who never had any foreign policy goal other that the destruction of communist totalitarianism and the expansion of freedom around the world. Krengor clearly shows a philosophical consistency from Reagan days as president of SAG to his last years of lucidity (pre-Alzheimer's.
Anyone that really wants to understand how America won the Cold War should read this fantastic book.
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