Tear Down This Myth: The Right-Wing Distortion of the Reagan Legacy

Reagan was not a saint!

Finally a book that tells it like it is about Ronald Reagan. Instead of what the right wing propagandists and revisionist historians want us to believe. Reagan raised FICA taxes on the poor and middle classes. Then borrowed that money to fund his little side projects. He supported death squads in Central America. Then there was the Iran/Contra Scandal. Not to mention during the 50s he gave a list to Sen. Joe McCarthy and his HUAC of people he believed where communists in Hollywood.
I think when things are all said and done we will find out that Reagan started suffering from Alzheimers during his 2nd term in office. And was clueless about what was going on in his administration.
This man was not a saint. He was an actor who had mean streak and could give good speeches.

7 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

Regan the actor president

Having lived through Regan's years as governor of California and President of the US, it never ceased to amaze me how people considered him "the great communicator". True, he could read a great speech as long as it was written for him like the lines he memorized in a script when he was an actor. Take that script away from him and he was lost for a thoughful response to anything. And we are still suffering for the years of excess, blissful ignorance and gullibility of his years as president that eventually slid downward into the abysmal period of the Bush dynasty. One of the themes of Bunch's book is that of an actual "myth making machine" of people out there who have created an imaginary character of a president completely unlike the real Ronald Regan. If you aren't a Regan true believer and want to read what the actual personality of Ronald Regan was really like, read Will Bunch's book on Regan.

6 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

Another weapon in the political battle of wits.

This book is useful for providing ammunition to use against your right-wing friends (of whom I have none) who would like the United States to return to the days of Reagan. You know, the sort of people who would like to see Ronnie on Mount Rushmore. The book also confirms the author's important assertion that the Reagan "myth" did not happen organically, but was created on purpose for the sake of advancing the modern Republican agenda, which seems, from the Bush years, to be the destruction of the United States. The more you know about Reagan the president, the less you will like him.

No, the book is not "balanced". Neither is this review. Big deal.

4 out of 6 people found this review helpful.

"Tear Down This Myth"

Where is the myth? I read a large quantity of spin to enhance the Presidency of Cinton and now Obama; but no logic to the subjective reasoning of the author. He has created a fantasy to justify what Obama is attempting to do to the country. Did the author have an epiphany after President Reagan died? I think not. This book is pure political spin and speak against a man who can no longer defend himself due to his death. As a previous winner of the Pullitzer prize I would expect more. If this is the type of writing that warrants Pullitzer prize recognition the standards are extremely low.

2 out of 8 people found this review helpful.

A very one sided book.

This book focuses ALOT on how much attention and recognition Reagan received. He definitely ripped (or should I say tore?) Reagan for the things people did to commemorate Reagan, rather than focusing on an argument that disputed Reagan's policies and proved them wrong. There is alot in this book, it's well presented, and organized. BUT I was looking for an attack on and proof of failed policies and I didn't find it in this book.

1 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Bazinga!

This book hits the nail on the head. The right wingers who love the myth of Ronnie, the turncoat Democrat who found trees more toxic than nuclear war, and cosulted astrologers and psychics, will be angry and defensive. Too bad.

Not

Typical Liberal rant trying to tear down one of the Greatest Presidents of Modern times, a title neither Obama or Clinton will ever attain!

0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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