Why Ronald Reagan Wanted to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (Max Boot)
Max Boot\u2019s revelatory biography of Ronald Reagan, a decade in the making, offers a nuanced portrait of the actor-turned-politician who ushered in a transformative conservative era in American politics. Despite his fame, Reagan remained enigmatic even to those closest to him. Boot\u2019s work, avoiding both hagiography and criticism, charts Reagan\u2019s epic journey from Depression-era America to \u201cMorning in America.\u201d
The biography provides fresh insights into key aspects of Reagan\u2019s presidency, including \u201ctrickle-down economics,\u201d the Cold War\u2019s end, and the Iran-Contra affair. Boot\u2019s definitive work stands as a compelling presidential biography, rivaling any in recent decades. The author, a Russia-born naturalized American historian and foreign policy analyst, brings his expertise to this comprehensive examination of Reagan\u2019s life and legacy.
Shermer and Boot discuss Reagan\u2019s early life, his political evolution from a liberal to a conservative, his presidency, and the impact of his policies on modern conservatism. Boot provides insights into Reagan\u2019s views on social issues, nuclear weapons, and his relationships with key figures like Gorbachev. The discussion also touches on the current state of the Republican Party and the challenges it faces today.