Killing Reagan: The Violent Assault That Changed a Presidency

Incredible Series of History

Okay, so I am the last person in America to finally have read Killing Reagan. When the Killing series are released I immediately purchase a copy, so as to get a First Edition, and then I let it sit for a few months as a silent protest against Bill O’Reilly for constantly interrupting his guests on The O’Reilly Factor. Still the Killing series are incredible reading as evidenced that Killing Reagan has been on the New York Times List for 17 weeks as this review is written. As an amateur historian I have found the Killings series a refresher for what I already knew, and a study in what I did not know. Killing Reagan was such a book. While the heart of the book was days leading up to and then the assignation attempt by John Hinckley Jr.’s, it is much more as it reviews the life of Ronald Reagan and provides insights on what made this man the man he became. Probably what I felt the most when finishing Killing Reagan was the similarities between the world when Reagan entered the presidency to the world today as we prepare for a new person to enter the presidency. Radical Islam raised its ugly head by attacking the U.S. Embassy in Beirut killing 63 of which 17 were Americans. This was followed by the bombing of the United States Marine barracks also in Beirut where 241 Americans were killed. Evidence in the Marine barracks bombing led back to Iran. There were also domestic similarities that America was angry and divided; unemployment was high; national debt growing, interest rates were in the upper teens and a lack of hope was felt across this nation. Reagan was the president that truly provided Hope & Change. The role of Nancy Reagan in Reagan’s presidency was explored and while I knew she was actively involved; I did not fully realize the extent. So many names from the past are mentioned, including Roger Ailes who coached Reagan in his debate with Mondale, which allowed Reagan to be re-elected by the vast majority. Roger Ailes, of course, is now the president of Fox ...