Spitz has provided us with really the definitive biography of Reagan, the man. The book is carefully researched, thorough, and painstakingly filled with detail. Especially of note are the chapters about Reagan’s early formative years in the small prairie towns, working as a lifeguard, struggling to pay his own way through college, reinventing himself as a sports commentator on the radio, and on to his years in Hollywood where he was thought to be the next great leading man, his storybook marriage to Jane Wyman which ended in divorce, his years in the Screen Actors Guild, etc. It’s always interesting to hear about an important figure’s formative years and what made them grow into who they eventually became. If there is any fault with this book, it’s that there is so much detail about everything, that it is not light easy reading.

Many thanks to the publisher for providing a copy for review.

Overall a good biography of my favorite president. At times though, the author speculates and makes comments that were not needed. For example, when he mentions how Reagan dropped out of a club in L.A. because it did not admit Jews, he went to another club instead. The author felt the need to point out that blacks were not admitted in either club. While appalling, I do not see the need to point this out. He pointed out earlier things Reagan did for black athletes at school, so not sure of the point. A few times throughout the book are like this, and distracted me from the story. Would still recommend.

This is an excellent book on the life of Ronald Reagan. Very comprehensive and easy to read. I've enjoyed the details of how his grandparents and parents met. The problems they faced during they're lifetimes. The entertaining aspects of Ronald Reagans early childhood. He was a poor performer in both school and sports due to the fact that he had poor eyesight. One day he tried on his mothers glasses and he said something in him instantly realized what the problem was. His troubled marriage with Jane Wyman. She finally began making popular films such as The Yearling others while he struggled to find a film that would jump him from B pictures to A. She often complained how he was constantly talking and couldn't get him to shut up. Mostly it was about politics and what was happening in the world during their time. She once told a friend just don't ask him what time it his he will tell you how to make a watch. Another instance in front of friends at dinner she would listen to him ramble on and on and finally told him to shut the **** up. The book continues with the marriage of Nancy Davis and how she enjoyed his talking and listened intently. I don't want to give away the whole book but he had a fascinating career that covered his childhood on to Hollywood and the Screen actors guild issues. Then governor and President of the U.S. Very well researched and written and highly recommend. Very entertaining.