Reagan: The Life

In this dense biography, Pulitzer finalist Brands (The First American) focuses on the life of Ronald Reagan (1911–2004), moving chronologically through the diverse phases and careers of the popular yet controversial president. There is rarely much background or context for anyone else around Reagan (such as his wife, Nancy, Richard Nixon, or Barry Goldwater), which is at once a strength and weakness of the work. Readers seeking a broader account may consider Rick Perlstein's The Invisible Bridge, which investigates an era when Reagan transformed from an unknown into a political force through his persuasive communication abilities and shrewd strategy. What Brands's chronicle does better than similar texts is demonstrate the evolution of the man, from the son of an alcoholic to the Great Communicator, by shining light on aspects of Reagan's achievements and personality that prove him to be somewhat awkward (shown in funny, lonely letters to friends while an actor), solitary (demonstrated in ranch sojourns), and mysterious. The author fantastically depicts a man who was alone in a crowd while maintaining a magnetic charisma. Analysis of Reagan's political decisions tends toward the favorable.