"An unbelievable book . . . I was part of the Reagan Revolution and I
didn't know 80 percent of this stuff! . . . It's worth reading, and
reading right now."
—Mark Levin, bestselling author of Liberty and Tyranny
"Anyone who would understand the Reagan victory of 1980 and the
movement that eliminated the Soviet Union and revitalized America must
read—indeed must study—Craig Shirley's brilliant, comprehensive work."
—Newt Gingrich
"Shirley has done extensive interviewing and research for Rendezvous
with Destiny, and it's a terrific read—for political junkies of all
ideological stripes."
—Michael Barone
"This exhilarating history . . . arrives, serendipitously, at a moment
when conservatives are much in need of an inspiriting examination of
their finest hour."
—George F. Will, from the Foreword
"This story has been told before by journalists and historians,
including myself, but Shirley's account brings an inside dimension to
the campaign's travails. 'Rendezvous with Destiny' is prodigiously
researched and well noted. When future historians re—examine the 1980
campaign, one of their first stops is likely to be 'Rendezvous With
Destiny.'"
—Lou Cannon
"This is consequential history at every step. . . a first—rate work of
insider history. The book reads like Bob Woodward at his very best: a
probing, insightful, behind—the—scenes examination of events that had
profound implications for the trajectory of American politics. Shirley
has accomplished a great feat of scholarship and research, and it could
not have come at a better time. The current political climate is highly
reminiscent of that of the late 1970s. These historical similarities add
special value to Shirley's work. It is an important, timely book that
conservatives, Reagan admirers, and students of electoral politics will
cherish and enjoy for years. Credit is due to Shirley for a monumental
accomplishment."
—National Review
"...New book Rendezvous with Destiny, which I am almost finished with. .
. .What a hell of a good book!"
—Larry Kudlow, CNBC
"There have been hundreds of books written about Ronald Reagan and this
is the question that always irritates an author, why do we need another
one? Well, we don't have to get very far in Craig Shirley's new book
about Reagan to know that, yes, there is still a lot we didn't know
about Reagan and how he came to the White House. . . . It is a
fascinating book!"
—Bob Schieffer, CBS
"Author's tale of that multi—month campaign. . . has a you—are—there
quality. His intention is to provide the reader with a definitive
history of the 1980 campaign, and he succeeds almost too well. Lest your
head spin by the details of ever—shifting polls, maneuvers, and news
coverage of every step in every primary election campaign—keep going,
for the reward will be a clear understanding of how Ronald Reagan's
appeal to 'Main Street' Americans, including many blue—collar Democrats,
coincided with his own determination to win."
—Weekly Standard
"It is an exhaustive study that will be at the very core of the Reagan
bibliography for future generations, and will not anytime soon—if
ever—be surpassed."
—American Spectator
"As conservatives continue to try to reinvent themselves in the image of
RR, it is helpful to have at our disposal this meticulously researched
tome detailing how 'The Great Communicator' overcame the Republican
establishment to oust an incumbent president —— and ultimately, to
change the world."
—Politics Daily
"I believe "Rendezvous" is a compellingly written, thoroughly
documented treatise that is essential reading for anybody who seeks to
understand what happened and why on Reagan's third try for the White
House. . . ."Rendezvous" is a chronicle, not an investigation, and ought
to be judged as such. And a wonderfully detailed chronicle it is."
—Mark Tapscott, Washington Examiner
"It's well—written, filled with information, and a pleasure to read.
Anyone interested in how Reagan defeated several well—respected
Republican contenders after blowing the Iowa caucuses, and then knocked
off the incumbent Democrat, will enjoy the book."
—Doug Bandow
"Best. Reagan. Book. Evah!"
—Robert Stacy McCain
"A scandal that once looked like it could take down a president, but
soon fizzled for lack of hard evidence, gets a closer look in a new
book, Rendezvous with Destiny. . . . Shirley's new book sheds new light
on the scandal. . . . The web of evidence Shirley weaves all leads to
one man."
—Chuck Todd, MSNBC
"'Rendezvous with Destiny' offers a series of important practical
lessons on how to run a presidential campaign, including coherent
ideology and strategic nimbleness when circumstances change. Whether the
reader is a Reagan fan or not, that takeaway alone makes Craig Shirley's
book a top political read."
—David Mark, Politico
"A superb insider's account . . . Full of anecdotes that have never
been published before."
—Houston Chronicle
"Conservatives will love this book, and political junkies of all
stripes will find it fascinating. Readers looking for high drama will
eagerly absorb its more than 600 pages. . . . It is the
behind—the—scenes drama that lends real suspense to the narrative."
—Washington Times
"Craig Shirley has done a masterful job. . . Shirley's books will be
the definitive works on both Reagan elections. It will be impossible to
top his extensive journalistic research and, especially, his 150
interviews with and access to all of the movers and shakers of the
campaigns."
—Human Events
"Craig Shirley's new book on Reagan has a powerful message: we combined
conservatives, libertarians, and independents, all inside a big
Republican tent before ——and we can do it again. It's is an illuminating
look back at the watershed 1980 election. For those more interested in
the politics of today, Shirley's book has much to offer."
—FOXNews.com
"A much broader look at the campaign that elected Reagan . . . Shirley
has gathered a wealth of evidence."
—Politico
"The book covers every aspect of the 1980 campaign: from Reagan's
comeback after losing the Iowa caucuses to the behind—the—scenes staff
battles and the mystery of who stole President Jimmy Carter's debate
briefing books."
—The Hill
"The genius of Shirley's work is to take stories we already know about,
and fill in the details that take you, the reader, right into the room
with the principals."
—CQ Politics
"Shirley's book is well—researched and well—written, and it gives
insight into Reagan's journey to the Oval Office. The opening lines of
the prologue are sure to bring tears to many a conservative's eye, as
Shirley sets the scene at the 1980 GOP convention in Detroit as Reagan
accepts the party's nomination for president."
—Roll Call
"Shirley's book is less of a paean to the Hollywood B—bit—actor—turned
politico's looming presidency as it is a gritty, behind—the—scenes
account of the Reagan Revolution. Shirley goes easy on the froth,
digging deep over 37 chapters, which includes the fateful events of the
Republican presidential debate held at Nashua High School on Feb. 23,
1980."
—Nashua Telegraph
"Shirley puts to rest one of the great political mysteries: who stole
Carter's debate briefing books? . . . Shirley also reveals that the
Kennedy family had a long memory on Election Day. . . .when it came time
for the election, virtually all of them voted for Ronald Reagan."
—NewsMax
"A new book by Craig Shirley tells the exhilarating story of how Reagan
triumphed and made us believe it was morning in America again."
—Eagle Forum
"Provides the first inside look at the historic 1980 election . . .
Shirley shows how close Reagan's campaign came to collapsing in the
Republican primaries—and how the candidate turned things around."
—National Review Online
