Ronald Reagan
Fate, Freedom, and the Making of History

The author makes an interesting argument. His thesis is that Reagan's political philosophy was more akin to liberalism than conservatism. He writes: "James Madison told Americans that government is essential because not all men are 'angels'. Ronald Reagan told Americans that each and every one of th......more

This book is part biography, part intellectual history of Reagan. The author's thesis is that Reagan's optimism led him to develop a philosophy based on the innate goodness of human beings, and that this philosophy is more liberal than conservative. He contrasts Reagan's libertarianism with traditio......more

Paul Berman says of John Patrick Diggins, "He was the most philosophical-minded of the American historians." I think that is pretty well demonstrated in this book which, although primarily biography, lays out some interesting arguments about Reagan's political and religious philosophies. This made i......more

John Patrick Diggins was one of the greatest intellectual historians of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. In this work, he treats Ronald Reagan as a serious subject, acknowledging his ideas and principles. Diggins argues that Reagan was a disciple of Paine and Emerson, which made him unique am......more

Reads like a masters thesis at time. This book tries to debunk some of the Reagan legacy and myths. Known for being quite a hawk, he won the Cold War without going to war and through much diplomacy. Known for wanting small government, the government grew more than during anybody's administration to......more