The Essential Ronald Reagan: A Profile in Courage, Justice, and Wisdom

Great book. I did not know all that much about Reagan and I feel as a introductory enthusiast this book is a great start. Compare the Republican of then to the Republican of now and it's amazing the swing in ideology. Ron Paul is the closest candidate to representing the traditional Republican ideology. Today other candidates hardly show a difference from left to right. Understanding Reagan is understanding Barry Goldwater conservatism.

The Essential Reagan is the perfect book if you want to a quick but thorough biography on this incredible man. It is an enjoyable read, and concise. I'd recommend it to anyone wanting to learn more about Reagan or a diehard Reagan fan needing a "refresher course" on him and his legacy.

Brief as it is, this compelling political biography manages to capture the gist of Ronald Reagan in a clear and engaging manner. Edwards investigates Reagan's childhood, his leadership qualities and his accomplishments with keen insight and understanding. The narrative concentrates on those people, events and circumstances that shaped the great man's character and career path, from his childhood and student days through his movie career, his two stints as governor of California and his presidency. Both the failures and the great and enduring successes of the Reagan administration are covered. For example, Edwards looks at the Iran-Contra debacle as well as the economic miracle, the benefits of deregulation and the West's victory in the Cold War. A highlight of the book is Edwards' analyses of the four essential qualities of leadership that Reagan possessed: courage, justice, prudence and wisdom. The author points out how these qualities came into play at various occasions in Reagan's life and career. He discusses the books that helped persuade Reagan to change his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican and in the bibliographical essay at the end, he reviews the best and the worst books on the 40th President. The Essential Ronald Reagan concludes with copious notes and a thorough index. I also recommend the books When Character Was King: A Story of Ronald Reagan by Peggy Noonan, Ronald Reagan: How an Ordinary Man Became an Extraordinary Leader by Dinesh D'Souza and Ronald Reagan: An American Hero, with an introduction by William F Buckley. The CD set Speaking My Mind, is a most inspiring collection of speeches and observations by the great man himself. God bless Ronald Reagan.

This book is essential for anyone wanting to learn about Ronald Reagan--especially those who are reading about him for the first time. It is a favorable treatment of the man and his legacy, and portrays him just as he was, humorous and yet serious in regards to the things that were important. Essential? Absolutely.