- A fascinating read into the history that gave the rise to Reagan-ism. I read it more for the life of the president rather than his politics. Having said that, here are some background information that might help others who are too young to understand the rise of Reagan (and before I begin, remember that the world is never black and white. Things change, with it, party position change and people's thinking change):

- In early 1920s, Coolidge rose prominently into power. 20s was widely romanticized as a decades of wealth (hence, terms like Roaring 20s, or in political-talk, the "Coolidge Prosperity" were coined)

- In late 1920s, signs of economic stress was widely seen: even before the stock crash, as Reagan noted in the book, mid-west was already experiencing strains in economics. The problem lies in the excess debt the private sector - particularly individuals as well as companies - took to "keep up with the Joneses"

- Coolidge's VP Hoover was elected as Coolidge's successor, stock market crashed shortly after (no relations). Initially the public didn't see it as a big issue, as they believed - just like Hoover believed - "prosperity is just around the corner". But prosperity never came, the new catchphrase became "Brother Can You Spare a Dime"

- FDR was elected after Hoover (in an election, at the time, seemed like was a close race but result is anything but). FDR came from a wealthy family and a political dynasty (his cousin Theodore Roosevelt was the 26th US president. And - ironically - now probably more known for "Teddy Bear" that was named after him than anything else (personally, I much to be remembered as a adorable stuffed animal than something nonsensical: Samuel Adams, a founding father of America, is now a beer))

- FDR campaigned on a platform - ironically enough to be seen later on - to reduce government deficit and to "balance the book". FDR was very heavily anti-welfare (again, ironic to write now). However, the urgency of collapse of the economy made him quickly change course. He began wide array of agencies that is later known as "alphabet soup" agencies. Such agencies is simply a way for the government to find a reason to give money to people. In this phase of time, government became much bigger than before as a means to provide more bureaucratic jobs to people

- FDR wanted the US to join the war, but the scars US felt after WW1 led US firmly believed in self-isolationism. Pearl Harbor broke out, FDR led the US into war. This action expanded government power even more. Goods were rationed and prioritized for war-effort. Technocrats were employed to direct the flows of goods

- Post WW2, while the Europe was in shambles, the US quickly began filling the void of lack of industrial productivity in Europe (since its own industries never was affected much by any attack in the US mainland soil). Marshall plan was signed, and America quickly went into hyperdrive delivering goods to Europe. Standard of living in America post war grew steadily. However, the legacy of big government steaming from the FDR days to war-time days endured

- As more people grapple with the post-war reality, many former FDR believers (Reagan being one of them. In fact, in his book, Reagan repeatedly affirmed his affection towards FDR) began wondering if big government is still necessary. Since the economy was much better than the 30s and war is no longer around for technocrats to make much sense

(And then enters Reagan)

I liked it a lot and liked him. Definitely would’ve liked way more detail and just thoroughness about everything. Feel like I just barely scratched the surface of anything, but there isn’t an exhaustive book by him about his life so this was the best option.
I really enjoyed Reagan and Gorbachev’s relationship.
Almost every book I read by a President, I leave having enjoyed the man and the book. Maybe I am just gullible when it comes to hearing people talk about themselves.

This book almost brings a tear to my eye. In his own words, one of Americas greatest presidents describes how his love for his country and his fellow man led him to run for the California Governorship and later the Presidency.

If you are a patriot, a conservative, or just all around sensible, this book will sadden you. To see how quickly the progress made by the Reagan administration has been trampled over and discarded is painful. The America Ronald Reagan once helped shape is quickly being replaced by the tumorous growth of a beaurocracy that can not possibly sustain itself lest the American people continue to vote their freedom away - squandering any chance that their grandchildren will live free.

Kinda makes you want to run outside and punch a hippie.

The first 200 pages, mainly on his life as a child, teenager, young adult, actor, and governor of California were fascinating, but I could not finish the book somewhere around 220 pages because of the overwhelming amount of politics.

The 3 hour audiobook on Spotify. Not the 700page book that’s in my room

This "autobiograpy" was both telling and challenging - for one, given what we now know about President Reagan's "health" following his presidency, I have a hard time believing he wrote much of it, or how helpful he was in its creation. There are several moments throughout the book where the author strains to color the president's history, whether in his childhood, Hollywood career, or life in politics, with a political point that seems unnecessary -- Reagan's accomplishments speak for themselves, any "lampshading" of an ideological point often detracts from it. However, the doesn't happen often enough to be distracting -- this tome does a great job of exploring all points of the president's life, devoting about 3/4ths of the book to his two terms in the White House. The book begins in a chronological telling, but once it hits the White House, it begins to skip into a thematic telling, which was jarring -- especially given the resignations of Cabinet officials, it's weird for them to pop up in the next chapter. Also, I think there are "blindsides" to this telling -- the most gross example is that Jane Wyman is LITERALLY given two sentences in this book. If you skip your entire first marriage, what else are you skipping? So all in all, I like other Reagan books, but you will certainly learn new things with this one -- including letters from the various Soviet leaders of the 1980s.

Perhaps the greatest autobiography I’ve ever read. I’ve always been a fan of President Reagan, but I have a whole new respect for him after reading the story of his admirable, resilient, & patriotic life.

I may disagree with much of what he did, but when looked at in a modern light other than his policies on many social issues Reagan is a solid pragmatist and bears more similarities to modern democrats than to modern republicans. His attitude of the 9-5 rivalry is absolutely excellent to read about, and it is interesting to hear why he did many of the things that he did. It was particularly amusing to read his own words about the debt ceiling during a time when the US was struggling with the same issues he had! His statement that the debt ceiling had to be raised, and that anyone who said otherwise was simply a fool playing for their own political gain was what I'd have liked to have heard from Obama early on in the crisis.

A book by a man I disagree with about many things, but whose attitude and ability to compromise I can respect. He also lived a very interesting life.

I wish all presidents were clones of Ronald Reagan. This book highlights his great leadership attributes that accounted for one of the best decades in American history (the 80's). You will enjoy this book written in layman's language by a most humble man of honor.

Short, but concise. Less of an autobiography, and more of a retrospective of his political life. He quickly glosses over his youth and acting career, and focuses on his governorship and presidency. He narrates the audiobook himself in his classic, historic voice.

Absolutely amazing, one of my favorite books. Loved the detail and his way of words was absolutely amazing. Great humor. Also, great emotion, at times it almost made me tear up. Definitely recommend, gave a great story of his life!! Made me love Reagan even more:)

A fascinating autobiography about the life of an American leader from his childhood to his completion of two terms as President of the United States. I appreciated his genuine voice which shone through the many stages and challenges, triumphs and goals of his remarkably full life. Although some aspects of his life were covered in greater detail than other, I felt like he purposefully chose to elaborate on those events and memories which he regarded as important to the public, and kept brief and succinct the more private and intimate stories. Overall, a splendid recount of history and politics as seen through the eyes of a great fighter for freedom and liberty.