My latest podcast is up on the New Books Network website! In it, I interview Robert Mann about his book charting the political evolution of Ronald Reagan prior to his career in politics. Enjoy!

Robert Mann's book is about Ronald Reagan's political evolution from his early days as a New Deal liberal to his famous 1964 speech on behalf of Barry Goldwater's doomed presidential campaign.  Though no acolyte of Reagan's, Mann treats his subject seriously as he charts his emergence as an orator and political activist while flagging Reagan's frequent exaggerations and fictions in his statements. The result is a clearly-written and well-argued account of the emergence of one of the key political figures of postwar American politics, one that can be read profitably by anyone seeking to understand how an earnest young actor began a career that would end in the highest office in the land.

A fantastic collection of the thoughts of arguably our greatest president in modern times. I was amazed at the difference, in every aspect, of what this man stood for and how he approached his job and what we currently have going on in Washington, D.C. It took me a while to read this because the diary entries were fairly chopped up and abbreviated in places, but it was definitely worth the read. I recommend this for anyone who appreciates what we once had in this country.

When the political season rolls around, we the American people only see the front lines: the candidates making speeches, attending events, and trying to win the votes of thousands of citizens. Meanwhile, the operations behind such a campaign, where all the work and organization is spent, remains hidden from the public. Who are the people that work tirelessly behind the scenes, in the shadows of the candidate in the limelight? What does it really take to successfully organize events, speeches, and other public appearances?

In this detailed and delightfully transparent work, Terry Baxter throws back the curtain and allows readers to get a rare backstage look into a political campaign. It’s not just any campaign, but the wild ride that took Ronald Reagan to the White House. You’ll follow the ups and downs of the political roller-coaster, and enjoy the thrills of unexpected twists and turns along the way. Showing off a different - but nonetheless, important - side of the political campaign system, you’ll discover more about American politics and its people than ever before!