The Quotable Ronald Reagan

This book is lovely. Great Reagan quotes; simple to find. A quick read and a good reference book.

Hannaford's years-long relationship with the Reagans shows in this book. His collection is respectful and warm-hearted--don't expect to find Reagan's embarrassing gaffes here. Instead, the book serves as an enjoyable glimpse into Reagan's personality.I appreciated Hannaford listing the sources behind the quotes--something so often missing from quote books of this size. Those sources told not only when Reagan said or wrote something, but where and to whom. I agree with another reviewer though that a sentence or two of additional context by Hannaford to introduce each quote would have made the collection even better.

This book cannot be the first reader for those fascinated with Reagan. Reading his biography of any kind may effectively enhance our appreciation of each quote. Somehow we ourselves may probably have to contextualize many of his quotes for their real appreciation.Within the scope of this book at least, Reagan's quoted remarks reveal three aspects of what he most deeply committed himself to: Freedom, Mothers, and the War Dead. Quotes dedicated to these themes seem to be most affecting, rich both in assertion and implication. His humorous and serious remarks, as usual, allow us to feel who Ronald Reagan is, although I don't think we can fully understand who he is.Our full appreciation of his quoted remarks would need the whole context and situation where he talked, which of course can never be possible in the limited volume of this book. As it is, my suggestion is that prior to each quote the editor describe what the occasion is briefly in a line or two, for the benefit of us ordinary readers. For example, in the very first quote on "Ability" most of us cannot but wonder what "the Citizens' University Committee dinner" is all about. In some quotes it is so helpful for me to find just when and where he gave a talk in finding what his actual intention expressed in his speech is. In most cases, however, we have to be better-informed of the situation in which Reagan delivered a speech.One of my most favorite quotes in the book is about his mother, Nelle Reagan: She was the greatest influence on my life,and as I think of her this weekend I remember the words of Lincoln,"All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my mother." He talked about his own mother on Mother's Day to the nation on the radio. This quote in particular teach me I should read on his mother so that I can better understand who Ronald Reagan, one of the greatest US Presidents in this century, is.

Peter Hannaford -- clearly one of the best experts on Reagan, the man -- does a spectacular job of capturing the wit, wisdom and sheer strength of character of Reagan. Whether you agree or disagree with the policies Reagan embraced, there is no question he was a remarkable man driven by an unwavering strength of character. Hannaford's credible insight effectively presents the Reagan persona.