 
|
|
Paperback
Publisher: Harper Perennial
Format: Bargain Price
Based on extraordinary research: a major reassessment of Ronald Reagan's lifelong crusade to dismantle the Soviet Empire–including shocking revelations about the liberal American politician who tried to collude with USSR to counter Reagan's efforts Paul Kengor's God and Ronald Reagan made presidential historian Paul Kengor's name as one of the premier chroniclers of the life and career of the 40th president. Now, with The Crusader, Kengor returns with the one book about Reagan that has not been written: The story of his lifelong crusade against communism, and of his dogged–and ultimately triumphant–effort to overthrow the Soviet Union. Drawing upon reams of newly declassified presidential papers, as well as untapped Soviet media archives and new interviews with key players, Kengor traces Reagan's efforts to target the Soviet Union from his days as governor of California to the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of what he famously dubbed the "Evil Empire." The result is a major revision and enhancement of what historians are only beginning to realize: That Reagan not only wished for the collapse of communism, but had a deep and specific understanding of what it would take––and effected dozens of policy shifts that brought the USSR to its heels within a decade of his presidency. The Crusader makes use of key sources from behind the Iron Curtain, including one key memo that implicates a major American liberal politician–still in office today–in a scheme to enlist Soviet premier Yuri Andropov to help defeat Reagan's 1984 reelection bid. Such new finds make The Crusader not just a work of extraordinary history, but a work of explosive revelation that will be debated as hotly in 2006 as Reagan's policies were in the 1980s.
| Customer Reviews: |
|
| |
| The Crusader:Ronald Reagan and The Fall Of Communism, Great Reading For Patriots,Conservatives and Classical liberals,AntiCommie |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
 |
|
The title At first when I came across this book, made me question the Author's motive,seeing there is so much respect for this Great Man, and so much disrespect for him from Unreasonable and delusional apologetics.This Book Is a wonderful Tome, And Re-Confirmed the Belief That Yes he was A BIG Reason if not the only I would dare Say That By God's Grace, Evil Tyranny(Communism) Fell. And that he completed his Mission. Who Doesn't Like Reagan? A Former Classical Liberal Democrat and Union Man then Republican(The Liberals sold out to the Extreme Left in the 60s),He fought Communism all his life and with Good reason. My Personal Bias obviously shows in my review, However, Classical liberals(OldSchool) and Conservatives, Patriots and Most who respect This Man Can agree that He did so Much For this Country that was left in Shambles by an On the Job 1term Inexperienced Liberal(History Repeats Itself).I am Proud To be a Conservative Republican, Proud of Reagan and My Country.This Book Is an Excellent Starting Point for any Reagan Fan or Political Science Student.
|
| The rest of the story.... |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
|
|
I read Crusader with great interest, having spent six years in the Navy, ending in the dismal Carter years. Had you told me in 1975 that the Wall would fall a decade later, I would have bet you every cent I had you were lying. Russia was ascendent; America was spiraling into decline. Most of my last Med cruise was spent with our main weapons systems inoperable for lack of spare parts--and our ship was cannabalized for other spares to fix our replacement ship's weapons when we headed stateside. It was the worst of the post-Vietnam sag. Reading this book helped me understand the dramatic changes of the 80s, and clearly laid out the true truth about how Christian faith can motivate a great statesman to truly great secular successes.
The book was well-documented, written in an engaging style, and thorough in its analysis. Two negatives I noted: the discussion of the internal defense directives tended to be repetitive, and there was not really a good explanation of how seemingly mild, vague words in a government white paper can later result in, for example, a huge explosion in Russia. It might have been better to focus on a few of the directives and follow them through in some detail.
I was also very surprised he did not talk more about the famous speech at the Brandenburg Gate in 1987--even today you see the dramatic clip of Reagan demanding, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" But nowhere in modern media will you see them play out the rest of the speech, where Reagan pointed to an East German TV tower surmounted with a glass globe which, when the paint flaked off, would make the sign of the Cross over communist Berlin. Reagan devoted a good bit of the speech to Christian love, and the distinction between atheistic communism and free, faith-tolerant democracy. It the crusader at his best, and is a bit of history now forgotten that would have provided excellent reinforcement to Mr. Kengor's fine effort.
|
| The Reagan Plan? |
| Customer Rating: 4 out of 5 |
 |
|
Paul Kengor's book is an interesting look at the Reagan legacy with regards to foreign policy. While a Reagan booster and fan of the president I think this book goes to far in asserting what Reagan knew about the downfall of the Soviet Union. Underscored in the Kengor's points is one key difference the Reagan often does not get enough credit for which is that Reagan was the first president who believed the Soviet Union could be defeated. To say however that he came in with a plan to destroy the evil empire is a little far fetched. Overall though Kengor's points are well illustrated and he ties together a thematic view of Ronald Reagan upon the lens of foreign policy. I think the reviewer who puts this between David McCullough and Sean Hannity has it in the exact right place for where it falls in the historical spectrum. While they are more detailed book son Reagan (see Richard Reeves) the are also ones that are unabashed praise which is a bad thing regardless of your political persuasion (see D'souza). For those who want to get a quick overview of Reagan's efforts in foreign policy this is a great place to start.
|
| "Just the Facts, Ma'am" |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
|
|
As long as you are not prejudiced or politically bigoted, it makes little difference if you are liberal, conservative, Democrat or Republican as you cogitate purchasing Dr. Paul Kengor's work, CRUSADER, Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism. The treatment is built on such solid research credentials, that it would be adolescent to dismiss it as another conservative woo-woo tabloid.
Before I read it, I had not encountered any information about Dr. Kengor that would trigger speculation regarding his conservative perspective. I thought that he had approached his subject objectively. 'A fair-minded liberal could have written this,' I thought. Now, after discovering his political bent, and what he could have said but didn't, I am thoroughly convinced of his objectivity. He must have had to work hard at it. His scholarship speaks for itself.
There is much sappy literature available in the bookstores on both sides of the liberal/conservative debate. This is not one of those books. If you want an engaging, supportable and honest interpretation of history, this work has it. If you want a straight-up appraisal of Reagan's presidency and his impact on the Soviets and communism, this work has it.
Ronald Reagan was not a god, but he did the work of one. Dr. Kengor shows us how in a definitive work that will likely go down as the most significant work on President Reagan in political literature.
Paul D. Morris
|
| Bringing Down the Walls of Communism |
| Customer Rating: 5 out of 5 |
|
|
Ronald Reagan is one of the rare figures in history who transcends political ideology. Often portrayed as more communicator than true statesman, The Crusader presents a far different picture. Paul Kengor does a masterful work of combining Reagan's own words with seldom published source material. The picture that develops is of a man who truly believed communism was evil and dedicated the later part of his life to seeing its downfall.
Since President Reagan's death, more and more historians have begun to change their opinion of his effectiveness and influence as leader of the free world. No matter what your political leanings, The Crusader is a fine example of historical writing done right.
|
|
