Jonathan Grim's Reviews > Reagan's America: Innocents at Home

Ronald Reagan wasn’t a hypocrite, but he didn’t live the values he espoused. Ronald Reagan wasn’t a liar, but he didn’t necessarily tell the truth about himself or the United States. He told the public he cut welfare spending in California, but the state budget he generated said otherwise. He was everything and nothing at the same time. He was malleable and moldable to whoever employed him, or later, voted for him. The ultimate individualist who was the president of a labor union lives on in the minds of conservatives and liberals alike. His myth grows with each passing year and historians will forever debate his legacy.

If you don’t know much about the man I would highly recommend starting with this volume. Wills presents a masterclass on how to fairly approach a historical figure with a balance of facts and commentary. It’s a small step to understanding Reagan’s motivations, the myth of American Exceptionalism, and our convoluted government.