- Hardcover: 592 pages
- Publisher: PublicAffairs,U.S.; 1st Edition edition (28 Aug 2003)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 1586480308
- ISBN-13: 978-1586480301
- Product Dimensions: 24.2 x 16.3 x 4.8 cm
- Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
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Amazon Bestsellers Rank:
1,554,564 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #84 in Books > Biography > Political > United States > Reagan, Ronald
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Product Description
Product Description
A comprehensive biography of Ronald Reagan 's governorship, based on never-before mined cabinet minutes, recent interviews with former staff members, and a lifetime of reporting from the former president 's definitive biographer. In Governor Reagan , Lou Cannon offers -through recent interviews and research drawn from his unique access to the cabinet minutes of Reagan's first years as governor of California -a fresh look at the development of a master politician. At first, Reagan suffered from political amateurism, an inexperienced staff, and ideological blind spots. But he quickly learned to take the measure of the Democrats who controlled the State Legislature and surprised friends and foes alike by agreeing to a huge tax increase, which made it possible for him to govern for eight years without additional tax hikes. He developed an environmental policy that preserved the state 's scenic valleys and wild rivers, and he signed into law what was then the nation's most progressive declaration on abortion rights. His quixotic 1968 presidential campaign revealed his higher ambitions to the world and taught him how much he had to learn about big-league politics. Written by the definitive biographer of Ronald Reagan, this new biography is a classic study of a fascinating individual's evolution from a conservative hero to a national figure whose call for renewal stirred Republicans, working-class Democrats, and independents alike.
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First Sentence
"WHEN RONALD REAGAN began his quest for the governorship in 1965, California epitomized the American dream that William Faulkner had described as ""sanctuary on earth for individual man"" Since the Gold Rush of 1849, the state had been a magnet for American d" Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
"WHEN RONALD REAGAN began his quest for the governorship in 1965, California epitomized the American dream that William Faulkner had described as ""sanctuary on earth for individual man"" Since the Gold Rush of 1849, the state had been a magnet for American d" Read the first page
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Cannon's began reporting on Reagan as a journalist in California, and the depth of his knowledge about the President is significant. This book expands on the earlier section of his presidential biography "Ronald Reagan: The Role of a Lifetime" and focuses mainly on Reagan's governorship in California and the interlude before he became President. It is an interesting insight into Reagan's early experience in the political process, and ably characterises how Reagan sought to run an administration. The insights into Reagan's (generally positive) environmental record whilst in Sacramento are also particularly illuminating for those only familiar with his subsequent legacy as President - and Cannon offers some slightly scary insight into how this change in policy approach may have been wrought by a casual delegation approach from Reagan himself. The writing is generally sympathetic to Reagan without being overtly biased in a political sense. The book provides a helpful background to understanding the Reagan Presidency and several of the key players around Reagan who came to Washington from California.
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
19 reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Strong Account of Reagan's Early Political Days
17 May 2004
Format:Hardcover
Governor Reagan is a well-crafted book by the biographer that seems to know Reagan best. Since Cannon has already written an in-depth book on the Reagan Presidency (Role of a Lifetime), this book serves as a perfect lead into that one. Surprisingly, there's a good deal more about Reagan's early life and Hollywood career than the title would lead you to believe. We don't get to the Governor's race until page 129 and the last 100 pages of the book are about Reagan's post Governor days including the challenge to Ford in 1976 and his 1980 campaign win. In essence, this becomes the Reagan Presidency prequel.
What's great about Cannon's work is that he seems to take an even-handed approach to his subject. That's uncommon for writers who usually give Reagan a heavy diet of adulation or scorn.
Cannon contends that Reagan's experience as a union leader gave him the ability to find compromises through negotiation. It helped him a great deal in California with an Assembly led by the opposition. He was ideological sure but Reagan also wanted to accomplish something. He was willing to concede certain points to win the bigger ones. This is a good point that probably isn't made enough when discussing his success.
I found Reagan's six years between offices and how he nearly (and probably) won the Republican nomination in 1976 the most interesting. It was a tough decision to challenge the incumbent President of his own party. He didn't want to alienate fellow Republicans or hurt his future political chances. Therefore, the challenge was full of drama and Cannon writes a roadmap from primary to convention.
The book ends with the 1980 Reagan campaign and his becoming President Elect. If you're interested in Reagan you won't find a more thorough account of his political career before Washington.
16 of 18 people found the following review helpful
Lou Cannon does it again......
17 Nov 2003
Format:Hardcover
First off, I am a liberal. This is important to know because despite my political leanings, I loved this book not because it bashes Reagan, but rather because it is fair and takes the good with the bad, of which there are plenty. After reading Cannon's "President Reagan," I expected a well-researched, exhaustive account (relying heavily on cabinet minutes and interviews) with this volume, and I was not disappointed. Still, the title is a bit misleading as the book begins as a traditional biography (at least 150 pages of back story leading up to the 1966 run), and ends with Reagan's 1980 run for the White House.
As such, this is not a "liberal" book, nor is it a right-wing puff piece. The Reagan of Cannon's sketch is flawed to be sure, but also savvy, intelligent, and ambitious. And, to my surprise, Reagan was much more pragmatic and flexible as governor than people seem to remember. Many bills he signed (including the largest tax increase for any state in U.S. history, as well as a bill liberalizing abortion law) are contrary to his image and are even more left-wing than his predecessor Pat Brown.
Overall, an engaging read that never plays favorites and doesn't try to rewrite history to anyone's advantage. Reagan is far from the simplistic boob his critics portray, but he was not a saint either. Above all, Reagan was a political animal -- always striving for the next step, which makes his "outsider" status a bit silly. He was never completely "of Washington," but he lived for politics and he never gave up in pursuit of his vision.
10 of 11 people found the following review helpful
California politics, yesterday and today
11 Oct 2003
Format:Hardcover
Having worked on Governor Reagan's staff in Sacramento, I was very interested to read Lou Cannon's new book. I was happy to find an excellent analysis of the times and events, based on Cannon's first hand observations and interviews (many with persons who are now deceased). What makes this book especially insightful is that Cannon analyzes particular events which have been remembered and written about in different ways, and comes up with what he considers the most valid explanation of what really happened. Sometimes his conclusions differ from accounts he had written previously, but he forthrightly explains why his opinions have now changed.
The book is a particularly interesting read today, of course, in light of recent political events in California. Those advising Arnold Schwarzenegger would find some interesting lessons here, and reading the book could be quite helpful to the Governor-elect himself! For the rest of us, it is fascinating to see how circumstances in California influenced the development of one actor-turned-governor, and speculate on how things may turn out for the second.
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