The Reagan I Knew » (Bargain)

William F. Buckley Jr. (1925—2008) was the author and editor of over fifty works of fiction and nonfiction. The founder and former editor-in-chief of National Review and former host of “Firing Line,” he was one of the intellectual leaders of the right from the 1950s until his death in 2008. His syndicated column, “On the Right,” was begun in 1962. He served as a CIA agent in the early 1950s, helped found the Young Americans for Freedom in 1960, and was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by George H.W. Bush in 1991. His most recent work of nonfiction, Flying High, an appreciation of Barry Goldwater, was published by Basic Books in 2007.

An intimate portrait of Ronald Reagan, by his political mentor, ally, and friend.

Publishers Weekly

Buckley worked on this book-commemorating his 30-relationship with Ronald Reagan-up to his final days. He struggles to paint a picture of a more private Reagan, but the book sheds little fresh insight; instead, it is a scattershot compilation of Buckley's reminiscences and reprinted correspondence between the author and Ronald and Nancy Reagan. Malcolm Hillgartner performs a good balancing act, shifting from the essays to the letters with subtle changes that clearly indicate whose letter is being read. His most impressive feat is creating a clear yet subdued voice within the reading to indicate when footnotes or asides for clarification are being made. A Basic Books hardcover. (Jan.)

Prologue 1

1 First Meeting 3

Correspondence, 1965-1966 9

2 Visiting the Reagans in California 17

3 Is It Possible to Be a Good Governor? 21

4 Capote and the Reagans 27

Correspondence, 1967 33

5 Is Reagan Running? 39

Correspondence, 1968-1969 45

6 Nixon to China 51

Correspondence, 1972-1976 55

7 Reagan vs. Ford 69

8 Schweiker for Veep? 73

9 Thanksgiving at the Buckleys' 77

Correspondence, 1976-1977 81

10 Firing Line and the Panama Canal 89

Correspondence, 1977 95

11 Firing Line: The Debate 99

Correspondence, 1978 113

12 Reagan Anticipates His Presidency 115

13 National Review's 25th 127

14 New Beginnings 133

Correspondence, 1980-1981 137

15 Stockman and the Budget 147

16 A Self-Interrogation on the Size of Government 151

Correspondence, 1981-1985 157

17 National Review's 30th 177

18 On Nuclear Strategy in Honolulu 185

Correspondence, 1986-1990 191

19 Final Meeting 219

Correspondence, 1990-2005 227

Coda 239

Appendix Selected Columns 243

Index 267