Dutch

More about the book

This biography, the only one authorized by a sitting President yet crafted with complete interpretive freedom, is groundbreaking in both method and scholarship. When Ronald Reagan entered the White House in 1981, one of his first guests was Edmund Morris, a Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer. Captivated by the enigmatic President, Morris set aside his work on Theodore Roosevelt to observe Reagan closely after the latter's 1984 reelection. With Reagan's approval, Morris gained unique access to the White House, discovering a leader of remarkable power and mystery. While Reagan's early achievements—restoring American optimism, revitalizing the economy, and confronting Soviet Communism—were evident, the means by which he shaped events remained elusive. As Reagan's second term confronted profound moral dilemmas at significant historical moments, Morris recognized the epic scope of his subject. This biographical journey began with Reagan's birth in 1911 in rural Illinois, where he was known as 'Dutch,' the son of an alcoholic father and a devout mother. It traced his diverse career, from lifeguard and writer to sportscaster, film star, soldier, union leader, Governor, and ultimately President. Morris was granted full access to Reagan's personal papers, including early autobiographical writings and a handwritten White House diary.