Reagan: An American Story

This book, Reagan, is the first of a series of six titles to be developed directly from the films of The American Experience. Ronald Reagan, the fortieth president of the United States, held office from January 1981 to January 1989 -- eight highly eventful, crucial years, a time of high prosperity and painful recession, of much star-spangled optimism and the terrible, over-hanging fear that the world might be blown to pieces. It was then, too, that the Cold War all but ended, a turning point in history, the importance of which can hardly be overstated. What distinguishes this book and film project are the exclusive interviews with so many protagonists in the drama, including Mikhail Gorbachev, as well as members of the President's own family: Nancy, Maureen, Ron and Patti. Indeed, this is the first film biography of Ronald Reagan in which his family agreed to appear. - Foreword.