In the Words of Ronald Reagan: The Wit, Wisdom, and Eternal Optimism of America's 40th President

by Michael Reagan

Overview

This collection of Reagan’s words and writings—both public and private—offers an intimate portrait of the president, actor, icon, and family man.

As one of America’s greatest presidents, Ronald Wilson Reagan succeeded in renewing pride in our country, and strengthening the principles of family, faith, and freedom on which it was founded. President Reagan endeared himself even to his political opponents with his self-effacing wit and irrepressible optimism. Inspiring, thoughtful, and at times downright funny, he had a gift for stirring emotion, sparking debate, and calling a nation to action.

Ronald Reagan’s oldest son Michael has gathered a wonderful collection of his father’s public and private words, from hilarious one-liners to eloquent letters to intimate family moments. Complemented by Michael Reagan’s personal and insightful commentary on his father’s life, In The Words of Ronald Reagan will delight you, inspire you, and motivate you to finish the job Reagan began—the job of rebuilding the American dream.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781418515911
Publisher:	HarperCollins Christian Publishing
Publication date:	03/21/2023
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	196
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Michael Reagan, the eldest son of President Ronald Reagan, is a national radio host and author. His acclaimed autobiography was Michael Reagan: On the Outside Looking In. He is heard on more than 200 talk radio stations nationally as part of Premiere Radio Network.

Read an Excerpt

In the Words of Ronald Reagan

The Wit, Wisdom, and Eternal Optimism of America's 40th President

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By Michael Reagan Jim Denney

Nelson Books

Copyright © 2007 Michael Reagan with Jim Denney
All right reserved.
ISBN: 978-0-7852-7023-2

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Chapter One

Acting

Without question, Dad's acting career prepared him well for politics-but not in the way you might think. The acting profession didn't just teach him how to carry himself on a stage or play to the camera. It prepared him for the presidency in much more subtle ways. Good actors learn early that their craft is not just a game of let's pretend.

I've been in actors' workshops, and I've even done a bit of acting on television-just enough to develop a deep respect for the stage and screen accomplishments of my parents, and enough to know that my place is on radio! A lot of people think acting is about faking it; that it's a bag of tricks used to present an illusion to the camera. People think that acting is nothing more than being able to emote on cue. Wrong, all wrong. Acting-a genuine dramatic or comedic performance-is about finding the truth within, about summoning and revealing thoughts, feelings, attitudes, and convictions with utter genuineness.

Both of my parents saw acting as a process of revealing truth, not creating illusions. My mother, Jane Wyman, would stay in character for days during filming, because that was how she preserved the truth and integrity of her character. Dad rarely had to stay in character, because the roles he played were usually variations on the real Ronald Reagan. He always believed the camera was merciless in detecting insincerity and evasion.

The acting profession also prepared my father for the bad reviews and harsh criticism that are part and parcel of public life. He never complained about the relentless attacks against him and Nancy throughout his years in office. By the time he got to the White House, Ronald Reagan had a very thick skin regarding the many unfair and downright stupid things that were written and said in the press.

Dad was a good actor. In fact, if he had gotten the kind of roles he truly wanted, I think he might have been a great actor. If you doubt me, take another look at his supporting role as George "the Gipper" Gipp in Knute Rockne, All American (1940). Or check out his performance as Drake McHugh in King's Row (1942), in which he gave a brilliant one-take performance capped by the unforgettable line, "Where's the rest of me?!"

For the most part, Dad was typecast as the romantic lead in lightweight pictures. They were not bad pictures. In fact, they were quite entertaining and successful-mostly comedies such as John Loves Mary, The Hasty Heart, and of course, Bedtime for Bonzo. He resigned himself to the fact that he had become (as he put it) "the Errol Flynn of the B movies"-an assessment that prompted Errol Flynn himself to say, "I thought I was the Errol Flynn of B movies!" Perhaps if Dad had gotten the roles he really wanted, he never would have gone into politics.

There's an interesting story about the filming of King's Row. Dad's co-star in the picture was Bob Cummings. Dad and Bob-two very likable, genuinely nice guys-really hit it off and became good friends. Several times on the set of the movie, Bob made a comment that now seems prophetic: "Someday I'm going to vote for this fella for president."

Here are some of Dad's thoughts-both funny and serious-about the profession he enjoyed so much during the first half of his life.

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Someone told my old boss Jack Warner that I'd announced for governor. And Jack thought about it for just a second, and then he said, "No, Jimmy Stewart for governor, Ronald Reagan for best friend."

Campaign rally for Vice President George Bush San Diego, California, November 7, 1988

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Some of my critics over the years have said that I became president because I was an actor who knew how to give a good speech. I suppose that's not too far wrong. Because an actor knows two important things-to be honest in what he's doing and to be in touch with the audience. That's not bad advice for a politician either. My actor's instinct simply told me to speak the truth as I saw it and felt it.

Conversation with speechwriter Landon Parvin, 1988

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During his early, lean years as an actor, Dad once received a telegram from his agent, Bill Meilkjohn, which read: Warner Bros Offer Contract Seven Years, One Year Options, Starting At $200 A Week. What Shall I Do? Dad's immediate reply:

Sign Before They Change Their Minds.

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I saw Knute Rockne, All-American on the late show the other night, and it was so hacked up, my 80-yard run was a 5-yard loss.

Said on various occasions

* * *

In the business that I used to be in, you learn not to stay on stage too long. You learn there's a time you have to exit.

Evansville, Indiana September 24, 1978

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from In the Words of Ronald Reagan by Michael Reagan Jim Denney Copyright © 2007 by Michael Reagan with Jim Denney. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Table of Contents

	Foreword: The Value of His Words	ix
	Acting	1
	Age	6
	Alzheimer's Disease	8
	America	11
	The Assassination Attempt	18
	The Berlin Wall	23
	Bureaucracy and Bureaucrats	27
	Citizen Politician	31
	The City on a Hill	33
	Communism	36
	Congress	39
	Conservatives	41
	The Constitution	46
	Crime	48
	Defense	50
	Democracy	55
	Democratic Party	57
	Dreams	62
	Economics and Economists	66
	Education	67
	Faith	73
	Family	79
	Football	83
	Freedom	86
	The Future	91
	Generations	95
	The Gipper	97
	Good and Evil	100
	Gorbachev	103
	Government	110
	History	116
	Horses	119
	Humility	121
	The Irish	124
	Jelly Beans	127
	Leadership	129
	Liberals and Liberalism	132
	Life	134
	Marriage	135
	Memorials	138
	Morality	142
	Nancy	144
	Neighbors	147
	Patience	148
	Peace	150
	Politics and Politicians	154
	Poverty	157
	Prayer	159
	The Presidency	163
	The Press	170
	Race Relations	173
	Radio	177
	Religious Freedom	179
	Republican Party	181
	Right to Life	184
	School Prayer	186
	The Soviet Union	189
	Taxes	192
	Truth	196
	Values	197
	Veterans	200
	Welfare State	203
	Afterword: My Uncommon Father, Ronald Reagan	206