Saturday, February 5, 2011

Reagan at 100: Favorite Books

1. Abortion and the Conscience of the Nation, by Ronald Reagan: While nearly everyone else seems to be focusing on books about Ronald Reagan on the 100th anniversary of his birth, I am much more interested in books by Ronald Reagan. And though there are many, this slim volume tops the list. With afterwards by C. Everett Koop and Malcolm Muggeridge, this book epitomizes the courage, principle, and substance of the “Great Communicator.”
2. Reagan, In His Own Hand: The Writings of Ronald Reagan That Reveal His Revolutionary Vision for America, by Ronald Reagan and edited by Kiron Skinner, Annelise Anderson, and Martin Anderson: Comprised largely of short radio commentaries delivered during the pre-presidential period (1975-1980), this collection is quintessential Reagan.
3. Speaking My Mind: Selected Speeches, by Ronald Reagan: This collection is largely from the presidential years (1981-1989).
4. Reagan: A Life In Letters, by Ronald Reagan and edited by Kiron Skinner, Annelise Anderson, and Martin Anderson: Here all the warmth, humor, and greatness of Reagan is altogether evident.
5. Stories in His Own Hand: The Everyday Wisdom of Ronald Reagan, by Ronald Reagan and edited by Kiron K. Skinner, Annelise Anderson, and Martin Anderson: From laugh-out-loud-funny to can’t-help-but-weep, Reagan could tell a story better than nearly anyone but Will Rogers.
6. The Reagan Diaries Unabridged: Volume 1: January 1981-October 1985 Volume 2: November 1985-January 1989, by Ronald Reagan: Here are the essential historical archives.
7. A Shining City, by Ronald Reagan: This collection of 50 post-presidencial speeches, from his farewell address to his final public communication announcing his Alzheimer's disease provide a poignant postlude to an amazing career—I still remember the electric atmosphere he created at the 1992 GOP convention in the Astrodome.
8. Reagan’s Path to Victory, by Ronald Reagan and edited by Kiron Skinner, Annelise Anderson, and Martin Anderson: This collection of pre-presidential speeches reveals Reagan as a prolific and thoughtful writer, who wrestled with the whole range of modern cultural and political issues with principled good sense.
9. The Wit & Wisdom of Ronald Reagan, by Ronald Reagan and edited by James C. Humes: Even political enemies have to smile.
10. An American Life, by Ronald Reagan: This is how he wanted to be remembered.
11. I Love You, Ronnie: The Letters of Ronald Reagan to Nancy Reagan, by Ronald Reagan: What an amazing love story.