The Peacemaker is written by William Inboden. This is a well researched book on Regan and the end of the Cold War. Regan was the first president of my lifetime - and he has always been one of my favorites. To be able to see how he handled the Soviets and the Cold War was refreshing. The author has done some great research and the writing flows nicely.
Thank you to the author , publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy of this book - all thoughts are my own. .

This book is only useful as an example of naive propaganda.

It seems like the author set out to cherry-pick some nice stories to credit Reagan with what he absolutely did not do, which was end the Cold War and the many other hot and cold conflicts around the world. This is a US-centric and overly simplified reading of the geopolitical realities that were decades in the making. The Soviet Union began declining the minute WWII ended in 1945 (back when Reagan was a professional liar in the form of an actor, not a politician) and there was no longer an ideological or economic foundation for survival long-term.

The border crisis we are currently dealing with now in 2023? That is a direct result of Reagan's policies in central America. Tell me, how is that making peace?

Reagan's administration was the most corrupt (on record-TRump's no doubt would equal it if everyone actually were prosecuted)--138 indictments and convictions. This group of thieves supported dictators, human rights abuses, and apartheid, not to mention the destruction of upward mobility and the social contract in the United States. So many problems we have now were initiated or exacerbated by Reagan; it is baffling to me that anyone voted for him then or that any stupid person now thinks he was even adequate as a President, let alone great.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for letting me have a chance to review this book. Opinions are my own.

This was such an interesting looking into Ronald Reagan and his legacy. I think books on him can be quite repetitive but I didn't find that to be the case with this one!

I have to say the more books I read about Reagan the more I don't like him. And looking back on his Presidency I can't believe people voted from him twice and look at him like he was one of the greats.

Much familiar and many new insights.
Ronald Reagan was seen by much of American media and academia as a deranged warmonger. He actually perceived USSR’s frailty and developed strategy to exploit its weaknesses. Détente in the 70s was advantageous to the Kremlin, not to the free world. Reagan believed communism was destined to fail.
Eisenhower was his first foreign policy mentor. Nixon became a valued advisor and sounding board, until his public effort to scuttle what became one of Reagan’s landmark accomplishments.
Despite his strategic vision was a dreadful manager. Conflict-adverse, he refused to enforce discipline with his fractious team. Unbelievable egos. Squabbling and bickering.
Reagan led in vanquishing a totalitarian empire; left his nation stronger, more secure, more hopeful and united; strengthened American’s national security; restored country’s faith in itself and world’s belief in America as a strong and good nation.
Parallels to today as American leaders destroy our country and make it a joke.

This was a well researched book. I enjoyed it but felt it was more a book for academia than the “common man”. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for this early read.

The Peacemaker by William Inboden was received directly from the publisher and I chose to review it. Ronald Reagan, one of the greatest presidents of my lifetime. The first president I ever voted for, and no, I did not vote for that party my whole life so comments about party affiliation are uncalled for. Reagans eight years as president was during six of my years on active duty military, fighting the Cold War and I was on the front lines in Asia and Europe. The Gipper came and gave important speeches that altered the world at locations I was at. If you liked Reagan or want to buy a gift for someone who needs to open the blinders on the world, this book is one you should buy and share.

Five Stars

A fantastic history of Regan's undeterrable resolve to win the Cold War with a deeply detailed examination of how he did it. Mr. Inboden enriches his history with a treasure trove of primary source documents, original interviews, and a wide array of insights and perspectives. He is a historian who understands his subject unlike so many of the President's contemporaries. Regan was not a warmonger or instigator or a simpleton breeding apocalypse. He was, in fact, a peacemaker believing the only way to achieve peace was for the U.S. to win through negotiation and strength. This book should stand the test of time as the definitive account of President Regan's cold war strategy, and cold war victory.