Rating: 
Summary: Excellent, if uneven
Review: Strongest parts of the book are how the fracturing of the New Deal Coalition came about and the collapse of the Carter presidency. Hayward is at his best when he's dispassionate and lets the events speak for themselves.Weak points are the lack of extensive narrative on the Prop 13 tax revolt (the first true sign of the coming conservative wave) and the glossing over of how Watergate deeply damaged the liberal wing of the Republican Party (setting the stage for the ascendency of Reagan). This is a very well written book. Lively. Doesn't bog down in trivial details. Always keeps events in perspective of the sweeping change that was taking place in America. Well worth adding to your collection.
Rating: 
Summary: Understanding Reagan and his times
Review: The Age of Reagan describes what seemed so improbable before 1980, but began on January 20, 1981 a Reagan Presidency. In the Prologue Mr. Hayward observes "The Vietnam War an American Gallipoli nearly dealt a death blow to American confidence and resolve." This near death blow to American confidence contrasted with Reagan resolve to overcome the blow is the theme of the book.
The prosecution of the Vietnam War by the Johnson Adminstration begins the background of the times in the Age of Reagan. Robert McNamara's direction of the war began in deception and then burdened by complexity and avoidance of simple, hard, moral truths ending in McNamara's physical and mental exhaustion best exemplified the prosecution of the war policy by the LBJ team. The LBJ policy and style contrasted with Reagan who realized there are simple but difficult answers to government responsibilities and they usally involved a hard moral truth.
The Nixon years were defined by intense hostility by and toward the President and increasing division in America. The author explains the surprising fact of liberal domination of Nixon's domestic policy. The Nixon foregin policy preferred intrigue to an obvious moral assertion. The foreign policy reflected the strangeness and success of the Kissinger-Nixon relationship.
The Ford presidency failed due to Ford's poor communication skills, public stumbles and silly programs such as the WIN buttons. The weirdness and incompetence of the Carter years are best exemplified by a President insisting to be called Jimmy, the malaise speech and mired in as well as embarassed by the hostage crisis.
The author excels in reviewing and expalining the turbulence and cultural shifts of the times. However, the theme of the book is the character of Reagan. He is the most unlikely President but not an accidental President. When elite opinion question USA's role and mission in the world, Reagan remained fatihful to belief in America's promise and leadership abilities. Where the elites searched for complicated answers, Reagan knew the simple answer was desired but difficult due to the moral truth. Reagan cared little for the details of governing, but was passionate and committed always to the principles of governance. He was the same person in and out of the public arena only less formal. The failed presidencies led to the most unlikely and one of the most important Presidents in American history. This book does an entertaining and excellent job in explaining the phenomenon of the times and the man which met for destiny's ride on November 4, 1980.
Rating:
Summary: Understanding Reagan and his times
Review: The Age of Reagan describes what seemed so improbable before 1980, but began on January 20, 1981 a Reagan Presidency. In the Prologue Mr. Hayward observes "The Vietnam War an American Gallipoli nearly dealt a death blow to American confidence and resolve." This near death blow to American confidence contrasted with Reagan resolve to overcome the blow is the theme of the book.
The prosecution of the Vietnam War by the Johnson Adminstration begins the background of the times in the Age of Reagan. Robert McNamara's direction of the war began in deception and then burdened by complexity and avoidance of simple, hard, moral truths ending in McNamara's physical and mental exhaustion best exemplified the prosecution of the war policy by the LBJ team. The LBJ policy and style contrasted with Reagan who realized there are simple but difficult answers to government responsibilities and they usally involved a hard moral truth.
The Nixon years were defined by intense hostility by and toward the President and increasing division in America. The author explains the surprising fact of liberal domination of Nixon's domestic policy. The Nixon foregin policy preferred intrigue to an obvious moral assertion. The foreign policy reflected the strangeness and success of the Kissinger-Nixon relationship.
The Ford presidency failed due to Ford's poor communication skills, public stumbles and silly programs such as the WIN buttons. The weirdness and incompetence of the Carter years are best exemplified by a President insisting to be called Jimmy, the malaise speech and mired in as well as embarassed by the hostage crisis.
The author excels in reviewing and expalining the turbulence and cultural shifts of the times. However, the theme of the book is the character of Reagan. He is the most unlikely President but not an accidental President. When elite opinion question USA's role and mission in the world, Reagan remained fatihful to belief in America's promise and leadership abilities. Where the elites searched for complicated answers, Reagan knew the simple answer was desired but difficult due to the moral truth. Reagan cared little for the details of governing, but was passionate and committed always to the principles of governance. He was the same person in and out of the public arena only less formal. The failed presidencies led to the most unlikely and one of the most important Presidents in American history. This book does an entertaining and excellent job in explaining the phenomenon of the times and the man which met for destiny's ride on November 4, 1980.
Rating:
Summary: How America Became Conservative
Review: The Reagan Revolution started with Barry Goldwater getting pounded like a disobedient mule back in 1964. That's pretty much common knowledge. Reagan campaigned for the GOP presidential candidate and delivered a well-received prime time televised speech on Goldwater's behalf. From there Reagan went to the Governorship of California and the rest is history. For those who think this is a study of Reagan, should be informed that it is instead the story of what changed America's mood in the years 64-80...a study of the politics, social changes, and what-have-you. Reagan in the early portions makes infrequent, almost cameo appreances. This book is the first of a two-part series, with the next volume to study Reagan's presidency, and I assume, what followed him. Steven Hayward charts the death of small "L' liberalism (at the hands of the radical New Left) and the rise of the conservative tide which led to Reagan's victory in 1980. Much of the material has been printed before, but when it is all accumulated and is digested in full, the the effects are mind-boggling. The history of the US from 1964 to 1980 comes alive in this absolutely brilliant book. As a Canadian, I found much of the material that related to the mid-sixties to early-seventies to be fascinating (even the economic portions were well done...and I'm no wizard with numbers!). Hayward's obvious dislike of the left's 'usual suspects' comes through on every page. Liberals may not like this book, but for the rest of us, it's a mighty fine read.
Rating:
Summary: A revelation
Review: This book puts into proper perspective the events of the sixties, seventies, and the beginning of the eighties. For someone of my age (50 years), it explains many things only dimly remembered (anyone remember the "Killer Rabbit" attack on Jimmy Carter?) I have never read a better analysis of the factors which have changed this country over the last thirty years.
Don't pay any attention to the Publisher's Weekly review. This is a great book.
Rating:
Summary: A revelation
Review: This book puts into proper perspective the events of the sixties, seventies, and the beginning of the eighties. For someone of my age (50 years), it explains many things only dimly remembered (anyone remember the "Killer Rabbit" attack on Jimmy Carter?) I have never read a better analysis of the factors which have changed this country over the last thirty years.
Don't pay any attention to the Publisher's Weekly review. This is a great book.
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