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The Reagan Diaries Selections
During his two terms as the 40th President of the United States, Ronald Reagan kept a daily diary in which he recorded, by hand, his innermost thoughts and observations on the extraordinary, the historic, and the routine day-to-day occurrences of his presidency. Now, nearly two decades after he left office, this remarkable record—the only daily Presidential diary in American history—is available for the first time.
Edited by historian Douglas Brinkley, The Reagan Diaries provides a striking insight into one of this nation's most important presidencies and sheds new light on the character of a true American leader. Whether he was in his White House residence study or aboard Air Force One, each night Reagan wrote about the events of his day, which often included his relationships with other world leaders and the unforgettable moments that defined the era.
Seldom before has the American public been given access to the unfiltered experiences and opinions of a President in his own words. To read these diaries—filled with Reagan's trademark wit, sharp intelligence, and humor—is to gain a unique understanding of one of the most beloved occupants of the Oval Office in our nation's history.
Edited by historian Douglas Brinkley, The Reagan Diaries provides a striking insight into one of this nation's most important presidencies and sheds new light on the character of a true American leader. Whether he was in his White House residence study or aboard Air Force One, each night Reagan wrote about the events of his day, which often included his relationships with other world leaders and the unforgettable moments that defined the era.
Seldom before has the American public been given access to the unfiltered experiences and opinions of a President in his own words. To read these diaries—filled with Reagan's trademark wit, sharp intelligence, and humor—is to gain a unique understanding of one of the most beloved occupants of the Oval Office in our nation's history.
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First published June 5, 2007
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About the author
Ronald Reagan
305 books275 followersRonald Wilson Reagan was an American politician and actor who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. He was a member of the Republican Party and became an important figure in the American conservative movement. His presidency is known as the Reagan era.
Born in Illinois, Reagan graduated from Eureka College in 1932 and was hired the next year as a sports broadcaster in Iowa. In 1937, he moved to California where he became a well-known film actor. During his acting career, Reagan was president of the Screen Actors Guild twice, from 1947 to 1952 and from 1959 to 1960. In the 1950s, he hosted General Electric Theater and worked as a motivational speaker for General Electric. Reagan's "A Time for Choosing" speech during the 1964 presidential election launched his rise as a leading conservative figure. After being elected governor of California in 1966, he raised state taxes, turned the state budget deficit into a surplus and implemented harsh crackdowns on university protests. Following his loss to Gerald Ford in the 1976 Republican Party presidential primaries, Reagan won the Republican Party's nomination and then a landslide victory over President Jimmy Carter in the 1980 presidential election.
In his first term as president, Reagan began implementing "Reaganomics", which involved economic deregulation and cuts in both taxes and government spending during a period of stagflation. On the world stage, he escalated the arms race, increased military spending, transitioned Cold War policy away from the policies of détente with the Soviet Union, and ordered the 1983 invasion of Grenada. He also survived an assassination attempt, fought public-sector labor unions, expanded the war on drugs, and was slow to respond to the AIDS epidemic. In the 1984 presidential election, he defeated former vice president Walter Mondale in another landslide victory. Foreign affairs dominated Reagan's second term, including the 1986 bombing of Libya, the secret and illegal sale of arms to Iran to fund the Contras, and engaging in negotiations with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, which culminated in the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.
Reagan left the presidency in 1989 with the American economy having seen a significant reduction of inflation, the unemployment rate having fallen, and the U.S. having entered its then-longest peacetime expansion. At the same time, the national debt had nearly tripled since 1981 as a result of his cuts in taxes and increased military spending, despite cuts to domestic discretionary spending. Reagan's foreign policies also contributed to the end of the Cold War. Though he planned an active post-presidency, it was hindered, after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 1994, and his physical and mental capacities gradually deteriorated, leading to his death in 2004. His tenure constituted a realignment toward conservative policies in the United States, and he is often considered an icon of American conservatism. Historical rankings of U.S. presidents have typically placed Reagan in the upper tier, and his post-presidential approval ratings by the general public are usually high.
Born in Illinois, Reagan graduated from Eureka College in 1932 and was hired the next year as a sports broadcaster in Iowa. In 1937, he moved to California where he became a well-known film actor. During his acting career, Reagan was president of the Screen Actors Guild twice, from 1947 to 1952 and from 1959 to 1960. In the 1950s, he hosted General Electric Theater and worked as a motivational speaker for General Electric. Reagan's "A Time for Choosing" speech during the 1964 presidential election launched his rise as a leading conservative figure. After being elected governor of California in 1966, he raised state taxes, turned the state budget deficit into a surplus and implemented harsh crackdowns on university protests. Following his loss to Gerald Ford in the 1976 Republican Party presidential primaries, Reagan won the Republican Party's nomination and then a landslide victory over President Jimmy Carter in the 1980 presidential election.
In his first term as president, Reagan began implementing "Reaganomics", which involved economic deregulation and cuts in both taxes and government spending during a period of stagflation. On the world stage, he escalated the arms race, increased military spending, transitioned Cold War policy away from the policies of détente with the Soviet Union, and ordered the 1983 invasion of Grenada. He also survived an assassination attempt, fought public-sector labor unions, expanded the war on drugs, and was slow to respond to the AIDS epidemic. In the 1984 presidential election, he defeated former vice president Walter Mondale in another landslide victory. Foreign affairs dominated Reagan's second term, including the 1986 bombing of Libya, the secret and illegal sale of arms to Iran to fund the Contras, and engaging in negotiations with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, which culminated in the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty.
Reagan left the presidency in 1989 with the American economy having seen a significant reduction of inflation, the unemployment rate having fallen, and the U.S. having entered its then-longest peacetime expansion. At the same time, the national debt had nearly tripled since 1981 as a result of his cuts in taxes and increased military spending, despite cuts to domestic discretionary spending. Reagan's foreign policies also contributed to the end of the Cold War. Though he planned an active post-presidency, it was hindered, after he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 1994, and his physical and mental capacities gradually deteriorated, leading to his death in 2004. His tenure constituted a realignment toward conservative policies in the United States, and he is often considered an icon of American conservatism. Historical rankings of U.S. presidents have typically placed Reagan in the upper tier, and his post-presidential approval ratings by the general public are usually high.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
June 25, 2017
TITLE: The Reagan Diaries (Extended Selections)
WHY I CHOSE THIS TITLE: I want to read at least one book about every US President
REVIEW: Before the start of this review I must admit to an anti-Reagan bias. I think he allowed dangerous elements into the Republican party and into the political discourse. His economic policies in the long run erroded the middle class and exalted businees/free enterprise over everything. My feelings have not changed after listening to his diaries.
When I worked in bookstores I had a customer who would only read autobiographies because they fealt you could only get the true story straight from the horses mouth. Certainly someone else cannot know 100% what is in your head and heart, and sometimes there are actions that happen outside the veiw of others. However, many are self-deluded or liars so getting the story directly from them does little to illuminate the truth.
Even though this is an extended version this is not an unabridged version. Many entries even from the written published form of the diaries were left out. It would be interesting to know and try to analyze what was left out and why. The extended part were a handful of Reagan's speeches.
There were several themes that emerged. Often he would talk about giving a speech and the great response he got. Over and over were mentions of the polls and how well he was doing. Or he would say that something he did, a reception or honor he got, was the first or the most in history. Does this sound like anyone we see in the news now?
Another theme was that anyone who did not agree with him or he with them, was ignorant at best or purposefully doing harm. He would talk about trying to convince someone of his opinion and when he could not he accused them of choosing not to listen to him. He is absolutely sure in his beliefs and understanding of things.
Here are some quotes that particularly struck me and my thoughts on them. They show his callowness and lack of understanding.
"I am all for opening the door to refugees from totalitarianism. But this is more complicated. There are just people who believe they can have a better life here. They are in fact illegal aliens." God forbid that a person who lives in poverty and violence wants to get out of that as quickly as possible. That they do not have the luxury of time to jump through all the hoops for "legal entry". That just because a person doesn't come from a country that we find politically reprehensible (i.e. communist and religious based by those religions we do not like).
"We are the only major country that dispenses aid on the basis of need instead of using it to reward friends." I do not believe this is accurate. We have always given out aid on a quid pro quo basis. We give money to those who harm and cheat their citizens as long as they give us something.
"The women's groups backing the ERA are only trying again as a fundraising Democratic gimmick. They will also use it to embarrass Republican candidates in 1984." Typical of him to ascribe lesser motives to anyone he did not agree with and who stood up for principles he did not agree with. Yea, women's groups do not care about equality they just want to stick it to the GOP.
"American owned firms in South Africa treat their employees as they would in America. This has been a tremendous improvement for South Africa blacks." Let's take this statement as truth. I still do not take it as the positive thing he did. First, American firms do not treat American workers especially people of color and women well. Second, while there may have been some improvement it does not mean it was enough and more couldn't be achieved if Reagan had taken a more affirmative stand.
WHY I CHOSE THIS TITLE: I want to read at least one book about every US President
REVIEW: Before the start of this review I must admit to an anti-Reagan bias. I think he allowed dangerous elements into the Republican party and into the political discourse. His economic policies in the long run erroded the middle class and exalted businees/free enterprise over everything. My feelings have not changed after listening to his diaries.
When I worked in bookstores I had a customer who would only read autobiographies because they fealt you could only get the true story straight from the horses mouth. Certainly someone else cannot know 100% what is in your head and heart, and sometimes there are actions that happen outside the veiw of others. However, many are self-deluded or liars so getting the story directly from them does little to illuminate the truth.
Even though this is an extended version this is not an unabridged version. Many entries even from the written published form of the diaries were left out. It would be interesting to know and try to analyze what was left out and why. The extended part were a handful of Reagan's speeches.
There were several themes that emerged. Often he would talk about giving a speech and the great response he got. Over and over were mentions of the polls and how well he was doing. Or he would say that something he did, a reception or honor he got, was the first or the most in history. Does this sound like anyone we see in the news now?
Another theme was that anyone who did not agree with him or he with them, was ignorant at best or purposefully doing harm. He would talk about trying to convince someone of his opinion and when he could not he accused them of choosing not to listen to him. He is absolutely sure in his beliefs and understanding of things.
Here are some quotes that particularly struck me and my thoughts on them. They show his callowness and lack of understanding.
"I am all for opening the door to refugees from totalitarianism. But this is more complicated. There are just people who believe they can have a better life here. They are in fact illegal aliens." God forbid that a person who lives in poverty and violence wants to get out of that as quickly as possible. That they do not have the luxury of time to jump through all the hoops for "legal entry". That just because a person doesn't come from a country that we find politically reprehensible (i.e. communist and religious based by those religions we do not like).
"We are the only major country that dispenses aid on the basis of need instead of using it to reward friends." I do not believe this is accurate. We have always given out aid on a quid pro quo basis. We give money to those who harm and cheat their citizens as long as they give us something.
"The women's groups backing the ERA are only trying again as a fundraising Democratic gimmick. They will also use it to embarrass Republican candidates in 1984." Typical of him to ascribe lesser motives to anyone he did not agree with and who stood up for principles he did not agree with. Yea, women's groups do not care about equality they just want to stick it to the GOP.
"American owned firms in South Africa treat their employees as they would in America. This has been a tremendous improvement for South Africa blacks." Let's take this statement as truth. I still do not take it as the positive thing he did. First, American firms do not treat American workers especially people of color and women well. Second, while there may have been some improvement it does not mean it was enough and more couldn't be achieved if Reagan had taken a more affirmative stand.
November 19, 2020
I don't totally understand why Reagan is the darling of the modern Republican, but here we are.
This is exactly what a diary should be. What a great timeline of Reagan's years in office. I can't help but think he knew someday it would be read and I wonder how that shaped his words, but the succinct day-to-day in the White House was fascinating. There were some moments where he comments on his memories and in hindsight those are sad entries.
I do wish the book wasn't so heavily edited and I didn't like the way the narrator pronounced "RE:" (ray). Is that the pronunciation? I have always heard it pronounced as initials. But even if it is short for regarding this pronunciation is off. Petty? Yup. And Reagan referring to the media as the "lynch mob" wasn't my favorite choice of words -- I get it, he believed they hated him and they were all liars all the time, but...my common sense says that isn't the full story.
The end of the audiobook contains some of his speeches. I was too young to remember many of these, but his response to the Challenger explosion is forever in my consciousness.
Give it a listen. Not to be partisan, but to be a citizen of the world.
This is exactly what a diary should be. What a great timeline of Reagan's years in office. I can't help but think he knew someday it would be read and I wonder how that shaped his words, but the succinct day-to-day in the White House was fascinating. There were some moments where he comments on his memories and in hindsight those are sad entries.
I do wish the book wasn't so heavily edited and I didn't like the way the narrator pronounced "RE:" (ray). Is that the pronunciation? I have always heard it pronounced as initials. But even if it is short for regarding this pronunciation is off. Petty? Yup. And Reagan referring to the media as the "lynch mob" wasn't my favorite choice of words -- I get it, he believed they hated him and they were all liars all the time, but...my common sense says that isn't the full story.
The end of the audiobook contains some of his speeches. I was too young to remember many of these, but his response to the Challenger explosion is forever in my consciousness.
Give it a listen. Not to be partisan, but to be a citizen of the world.
November 6, 2018
Worth everyone's time. Not because he is some sort of God or perfect human, but because there is a vast wealth of history in these pages.
October 16, 2021
An amazing insight into a great President.
June 6, 2016
I enjoyed this audiobook. It was greatly abridged, but included interesting high points from Reagan's eight years in office. I have to admit, the whole thing made me nostalgic for a Chief Executive with experience, wisdom, patience, and charm. How long has it been since we had a president who could ignore the press and communicate effectively with the people, who could laugh at criticism and turn enemies into friends, who could bring foreign powers to the table and negotiate effectively out of a position of strength--not only military strength or the strength of America's reputation, but his own personal integrity?
I agree with Douglas Brinkley, the editor, that Reagan never praises himself in these pages, nor does he use rhetorical flourishes to paint himself or his administration in a positive light. His writing, as usual, is spare and matter-of-fact, often saying little about personal feelings. The president did not write books the way he wrote speeches or the magazine articles of his younger days. This is my only regret: the diary reads more like the official minutes of an Executive Office than the memoir it might have been under a more imaginative hand. However, this spare, unadorned style should lend the content greater credibility.
I agree with Douglas Brinkley, the editor, that Reagan never praises himself in these pages, nor does he use rhetorical flourishes to paint himself or his administration in a positive light. His writing, as usual, is spare and matter-of-fact, often saying little about personal feelings. The president did not write books the way he wrote speeches or the magazine articles of his younger days. This is my only regret: the diary reads more like the official minutes of an Executive Office than the memoir it might have been under a more imaginative hand. However, this spare, unadorned style should lend the content greater credibility.
November 20, 2011
OK, this is my third time getting this book and I have found the quote from Reagan, that I liked, "I spoke to ears that refused to hear."
-------
Yes, I am reading this once again. Regan has a good quote that I forgot to write down.
While, going through the book, I ran into entry about the automakers. They were wanting Regan to tell Japan to limit how many cars they bring to the US. Now think about that, they wanted the President to tell Japan to limit their output because our cars could not compete. In addition, the automakers had congress threaten with a bill to limit Japan car output to the US.
-------
I was amazed to find that Regan and his kids had a strain relationship.
His daughter called him and asked him for money, because she was broke (imagine calling the President of the United States and asking him for money). And his son slammed the phone on him because he would not give into his request.
Also, when Regan took office, interest rates were at 20%! Could you imagine going to get a home loan at 20%! Just Crazy!
-------
Yes, I am reading this once again. Regan has a good quote that I forgot to write down.
While, going through the book, I ran into entry about the automakers. They were wanting Regan to tell Japan to limit how many cars they bring to the US. Now think about that, they wanted the President to tell Japan to limit their output because our cars could not compete. In addition, the automakers had congress threaten with a bill to limit Japan car output to the US.
-------
I was amazed to find that Regan and his kids had a strain relationship.
His daughter called him and asked him for money, because she was broke (imagine calling the President of the United States and asking him for money). And his son slammed the phone on him because he would not give into his request.
Also, when Regan took office, interest rates were at 20%! Could you imagine going to get a home loan at 20%! Just Crazy!
October 6, 2011
This book was pretty much just what the title says. It contains an edited version of Ronald Reagan's diary while he held the office of the President. If you like Reagan you will find it somewhat interesting and if you lived during the era of his presidency, it will refresh your memory of the events that took place while he was president.
The story includes entries on the assassination attempt on his life, his dealing with the Soviets, the Challenger Space Shuttle explosion, the bombings in Lebanon, as well as personal entries which illustrate the deep love that he and Nancy shared. It really brought back a lot of memories for me.
The story includes entries on the assassination attempt on his life, his dealing with the Soviets, the Challenger Space Shuttle explosion, the bombings in Lebanon, as well as personal entries which illustrate the deep love that he and Nancy shared. It really brought back a lot of memories for me.
February 15, 2010
History can be read from a number of perspectives, but there's nothing like reading it first hand. Other authors can provide their perspectives of the Reagan presidency, and interpret the president's words and actions, but this abridged review of Reagan's diary gives you a look at history in the President's own words. This is an abridged selection, but covers most of the truly significant aspects from Reagan's term of office. Very insightful, informative, and interesting, and an excellent review of what took place during those years.
October 23, 2014
As a child of the 80s, Reagan was the first president I really remember. So perhaps it's nostalgia for me but I truly enjoyed listening to this book. The last CD containing his actual speeches in his own voice moved me to tears more than once. His love and affection for his wife and his country and his desire to do the right thing is inspiring. This is the America I hold dear. This is the president against which all others should be measured.
October 17, 2008
Listend to this on the trip to Vegas and back the end of July. I really enjoyed this. Reagan was an interesting person and I loved how much he loved his wife. He also thought and did a lot of good things and it was intriguing to hear from his personal diaries (kept throughout his 8 years of presidency).
April 7, 2015
I picked up these CDs while at the Reagan Library with my children. I enjoy learning about our presidents, and President Ronald Reagan was fantastic. I was only ten when he left office. I wish I had been a little older so I could have better appreciated the excellent leader and man of high moral character that he was. I found his diaries honest, inspirational, and very patriotic.
October 29, 2008
So far I've listened to both some of his famous speeches that are an extra to this book as well as his diaries. It is amazing at how consistently he wrote down his experiences and feelings. It also makes it challenging to have continuity throughout (tying up story lines, etc)
January 3, 2008
listening to
April 11, 2016
Great book
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews