I've been in a Ronald Reagan phase. He's always been among my favorite people to read about-both his Hollywood career and political career are amazing. Most people would not be able to excel in one of those careers. While he wasn't the greatest Hollywood actor (He's underrated though. Kings Row still holds up today) he made a lot of money and was very successful. Then, after a rough personal time-he bounced back from movies and thrived in the political world.
My favorite Reagan books are Ronald Reagan by John Patrick Diggins and A Different Drummer by Michael Deaver. Diggings discusses Reagan having more in common with Emerson-both had an innate positivity, a trust in human nature and a distrust of original sin-than with the religious right or "neocons". Deaver was one of the presidents most trusted aides. In fact, Reagan even mentioned once that Deaver was like a brother to him. Denver was right there for many of the key decisions in the life of Reagan. His love and admiration for the president is obvious.
His auto-biography was called "An American Life" and it truly was one. A second chance marriage, a second chance career. America is many things, but it's mostly the land of second chances. President Reagan epitomized that.
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