I found that it gave a fair and well rounded view of Reagan. It showcase his strengths and did not whitewash his weaknesses or failings. If you are seeking to learn of the greatest president that America has seen in the last hundred years, then I recommend this book.

This was a great read about Ronald Reagan! I really like the way it was laid out. I learned a lot about Reagan and who he really was. Very eye-opening!

DInesh D'Souza before he went insane. This is a good overview of President Reagan's time in the American spotlight. I always liked Reagan. I imagine that for many people in my generation, Reagan was like JFK was for my parents' generation: better in memory than he was in reality. Both Reagan and Kennedy had that intangible, all too rare quality in a President: leadership (actually, the longer I live, the more I see how rare a quality that is in any organization). Both JFK and Reagan have a certain mythology surrounding them, and tend to be viewed through the ideological prism of the viewer. I enjoyed this book, and thought the author--a deeply conservative man--was as balanced as he could be. Obviously a big fan of Ronald Reagan, D'Souza still managed to cast a critical light on the former President's failings and weaknesses, which is all you can ask for in a biographer.

Worth reading if you like history, politics, and Reagan. Unfortunately, Mr. D'Souza has taken a turn toward crazy town in recent years (this book was published in 1998). I fear that the author has, quite literally, become unglued by the Presidency of Barak Obama. It's unfortunate because D'Souza's first few books were really good. Now he's producing movies that say President Obama is a Kenyan anti-colonial Muslim or something. It's sad.

Four out of five stars just because the author recently dumped his wife of many years for some young hoodsie. Jerk.

As a White House insider during the Reagan Administration, D'Souza observed first-hand the management style of one of the most respected and unrespected presidents of the last half of the 20th century. Initially, he agreed with some of the criticisms, but later came to understand that Reagan simply had a different style than other presidents.

Criticized for being intellectually lazy or simple-minded, President Reagan was never a favorite of the intellectual crowd. His Hollywood past and appeals to higher morals didn't help. Accused of napping during cabinet meetings and using his acting skills to sway public opinion, some dismiss him and his accomplishments, giving the credit to others or dumb luck. In reality, D'Souza says he was very intelligent and could grasp a situation easily, but disliked dealing in the minutiae, preferring to delegate to others. He was steered by a strong moral compass, and believed strongly in the people and their ability to make correct decisions when given the facts. His accomplishments were many, including turning around the high-inflation economy of the 1970s (although he had to weather a couple tough years of recession) and bringing the Soviet Union to it's knees by refusing to appease them.

Having grown up in the 1980s, I remember the Reagan years as a time when pride was restored to Americans, when the threat of the Soviet Union seemed very real and imminent. The suggestion that the USSR would fall by the end of the decade would have been ridiculous. But Reagan recognized that it was a system that offered no incentives to its people to perform better, and once he pushed it by forcing them into an arms race, it's weaknesses were revealed. He was often criticized as too old and incompetent for his job, but he proved smarter than all his critics. Too bad a president like that doesn't come along more often.

I found the book to be an easy book to read. D'Souza writes in a clear and logical way that is easy to follow. His logic is persuasive and his language without a lot of flowery nonsense. Not especially impartial, but it helps to understand better the principles and thinking of President Reagan.

I have just finished reading one of the best political biographies – perhaps the very best – that I have ever read. It is entitled Ronald Reagan: How an Ordinary Man Became an Extraordinary Leader by Dinesh D’Sousa.

This is a well written and very informative study of Reagan’s achievements in politics, especially as president of the United States. It not only describes what Reagan accomplished but also gives challenging insights regarding his beliefs and methods.

Perhaps what I found most interesting is the clear evidence that Reagan was in fact a truly great leader. Despite the efforts – then and since – to discredit him, his achievements were monumental. Like Washington and Lincoln, he led our country to victory in one of the most dangerous wars of history: the Cold War. And he won it without firing a shot.

In my view, he deserves to be appreciated as much as any political leader in the history of our country. Yet he is often not truly understood. Much of this is because some people cannot bring themselves to appreciate any true conservative. But much is also caused by the fact that, now that the problems are solved, people have forgotten the terrible conditions that existed when Reagan came to office. And typically students in school are simply never told the facts.

Reagan was not perfect. The book describes some things I disagree with and I hope you too will disagree. Nevertheless, I highly recommend this book and encourage you to read it and attempt to learn, not just how great Reagan was, but principles that can help all of us to stand for what is good.

“General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe…: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!” – Ronald Reagan at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany, June 12, 1987

I always enjoy reading about Reagan. D'Sousa's book was informative but nothing was new was gleaned compared to other books about Reagan I have read. If you have seen or read any recent works by D'Sousa, you can see how he has matured and honed his craft since this book was written in 1997.

Explains some of Reagan's eccentric characteristics both as a man and as a leader. Not apparant to me in previous studies is Reagan's aloof attitude when it comes to personal relationships. He was intimately close with his 2nd wife Nancy. However his cabinet, staff, and even his children seem to have a much different interpretation.

What this has that Reagan's Diaries do not is a connection from his personality to the major events of his Presidency. Reagan was able to stick to his wills on highly criticized goals like taxes, Reaganomics, and the beginning of the end of Communism... both in the Soviet Union and Central America. What's particularly interesting is the Reagan Gorbechev relationship. It's not entirely Reagan strong-arming the Soviet Union. Gorbechev's willingness to adopt more of a western lifestyle for his people has a noticeable contribution in the decline of Communism.

The author is clearly pro Reagan, goes so far in certain places that I think it's speculation on the author's part. For example the part where he explains that Reagan had been stringing along Sam Donaldson in the press conferences, in some kind of subliminal feat of willpower....not sure how the author could possibly know that.

The best parts where was near the end of the chapters 'The Man Behind the Mask' and 'Spirit of a Leader.' There were other chapters that weren't bad either 'They Don't Call it Readanomics Anymore." Then were a few that I skimmed over more. Overall pretty good and some of things he outlines of what he did accomplish and all the foes he faced were very good. He laid out the groundwork of how many critics were quick to blame or dismiss, then when proven wrong those same people then twisted things they said. It is interesting to see how much opposition he faced in the first some odd months to year into his presidency, which still holds true to now as Trump has taken office. Back then they said give the guy a chance, but I guess things change...

Chronicles the humble beginnings and how an extraordinary man overcame and did extraordinary things.

There’s much to be learned from those whom you disagree with.

Great subject matter. The political humor had me laughing uncontrollably at times. Once started I couldn't put the book down losing sleep and missing meals. Definitely Dinesh's best book followed by "Letters to a Young Conservative".

One of the most interesting, informative, and moving books I've ever read. Despite the intensity of political/historical information, the book is surprisingly easy to read and moves quickly. This is the history of Reagan no student will find in any text book. Ought to be required reading. Brilliant.