Governor Reagan

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Detailed, sympathetic but not uncritical account - Rated
Cannon's began reporting on Reagan as a journalist in California, and the depth of his knowledge about the President is significant. This book expands on the earlier section of his presidential biography "Ronald Reagan: The Role of a Lifetime" and focuses mainly on Reagan's governorship in California and the interlude before he became President. It is an interesting insight into Reagan's early experience in the political process, and ably characterises how Reagan sought to run an administration. The insights into Reagan's (generally positive) environmental record whilst in Sacramento are also particularly illuminating for those only familiar with his subsequent legacy as President - and Cannon offers some slightly scary insight into how this change in policy approach may have been wrought by a casual delegation approach from Reagan himself. The writing is generally sympathetic to Reagan without being overtly biased in a political sense. The book provides a helpful background to understanding the Reagan Presidency and several of the key players around Reagan who came to Washington from California.