Ronald Reagan, Reagan by Lou Cannon Essay -- essays research papers

waist, Lou. Reagan. New York Putnam, 1982.     Lou Cannon has covered Ronald Reagan for 36 years, graduation as a reporter for the San Jose Mercury News, later as the White House correspondent for the Washington Post. He began with covering Reagans first campaign for governor of California in 1966 and continued until Reagans recent dying in 2004. His other books on Reagan include Ronnie and Jesse A Political Odyssey, Ronald Reagan The professorshipial Portfolio, President Reagan The Role of a Lifetime, Governor Reagan His Rise to Power, and several others.      later following and working closely with Reagan, Cannon forms an obvious affinity and panorama of him. Cannon admits that he "like(s) and respect(s) Ronald Reagan while remaining skeptical that his actions will earn the results he intends," (Cannon, 1981, 15). Cannon writes that he was at first skeptical of Reagans abilities to serve as president specifically with foreig n policy and his economic theories. However, Cannon argues that Reagans presidency may mirror his governorship, "he started ineptly but short evolved into a competent governor who was willing to sacrifice ideology for semipolitical achievement," (Cannon, 1981, 15). Because this book was written during Regans first year as president, Cannon is uneffective to record complete demo to support his own theory, although he accomplishes this in his following books about President Reagan. Cannon, an obvious conservative supporter of Reagan, includes criticisms and shortcomings of Reagan as well as praise. Cannon does not let his personal relationship skew his writings and has thus become known as Reagans authoritative biographer.      Cannons mission to provide an in depth biography of the nations fortieth president and his ability to lead, begins by tracing Reagans origins, his hopes and dreams, fears, achievements and failures. Cannon provides the reader wi th insight to Reagans childhood and adolescent years and attempts to explain the beginnings of Reagans motivations, optimism and determination. Cannon argues that much of Reagans optimism, determination and political motivation spur from living through the Depression. Reagan sees the Depression as a national tragedy, not a personal one, and forever becomes enthralled with Presi... ...f Reagans smell including those listed previously.     Reagan offers an insight into the former presidents life and presidency prior to 1982. It is well written, providing shot anecdotes which keep the readers interest. The personal stories give vivid insight into Reagans childhood, young self-aggrandizing life and early political career. Although intended to support the idea that Reagan was lively and qualified for the presidency, Reagan is comprised of over four hundred pages describing Reagan as ill-equipped for the job. Cannons overcompensation for interval contradicts his argument that," He (Reagan) belonged in the White House. He had every justly to dream heroic dreams," (Cannon, 1981, 411). Though the book is well researched and organized its evidence overwhelms its conclusion.     ReferenceCannon, Lou. Reagan. New York Putnam, 1982.Cooke, Allistair, "Reagan." appraise of Reagan, by Lou Cannon. New Yorker, March 14, 1983,      148.Wilkie, Curtis, "Reagan," Review of Reagan, by Lou Cannon. New York Times Book Review,      October 3, 1982.