The Age of Reagan: A History, 1974-2008 by Sean Wilentz
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Wilentz approaches his subject as historian; this is a work of analysis not hagiography. The conditions that brought Reagan to power and the echoes of his colleagues and fellow-travelers (Bushs, Rumsfeld, etc.) mark the gamut of the Age of this study. I was very young when Reagan ruled, but I wasn't too you to recall the hue and cry over his militarism (Granada, Libya), expenditure (SDI), etc. So, I was a bit suprised to his funeral handled like that of a passing saint. Wilentz helps to explain much of that and many other myseteris. Why did Reagan cling to "Star Wars" in spite of technological complexity, high cost, and the fact it irked the USSR? He felt it would bring peace to the whole world and protect America, says the author. How did Iran/Contra happen under his nose? Because Ronnie was in the driver's seat and narrowly avoided impeachement, says this author.
An interesting book, which gives context to the neo-con movement and gives examples of how the Republican party was not destroyed by its own radical right base.
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