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Ronald Reagan in Private
by Jim Kuhn
List Price: 24.95


Hardcover: 288 pages
Publisher: Sentinel (July 22 2004)
Costumer Rating: Costumer rating

Read an Excerpt

A Memoir of My Years in the White House
No one said much as we stood behind the glass front doors in the atrium of Chateau Fleur d'Eau, an imposing lakeside chateau in Geneva, Switzerland, on that overcast, chilly November morning in 1985. The president seemed calm, but preoccupied.

A Memoir of My Years in the White House, Part 2
At Chateau Fleur d'Eau, I was uneasy as Gorbachev's motorcade got closer and closer and Reagan donned his blue cashmere coat and white scarf. So much rode on this first encounter. Why did the president need to wear a coat?



Book Description

An inside look at Ronald Reagan from one of his most trusted staffers

During his White House years, President Reagan earned the love and admiration of millions, and altered the course of history. Jim Kuhn, his executive assistant, was one of the very few people privileged to see the Great Communicator not just during his historic public events, but also behind the scenes, during quiet moments.

Kuhn was responsible for helping the most powerful man in the world manage his time and information. His memoir of an unguarded and unedited Ronald Reagan captures the laughter, resolve, sensitivity, and discomforts of the man who won the Cold War and restored America's confidence.

President Reagan frequently shared with Kuhn his personal views on matters great and small, including his thoughts about world leaders such as Mikhail Gorbachev and Margaret Thatcher, and controversial issues such as nuclear weapons, taxes, and women's rights. Kuhn recalls many poignant moments that will surprise readers, no matter how much they already know about President Reagan. For example:

  • How the President reacted when staff disappointed him and things didn't go as planned
  • The time he felt distraught over arms negotiations with the Soviets President
  • Reagan's true personal thoughts about abortion
  • What aspersion bothered him more than any other
  • How President Reagan felt about the Iran-Contra scandal and the figures involved

During his 13 years of service to Ronald Reagan, Kuhn discovered a man who acted the same off camera as he did in front of the world; who showed the same respect to an anonymous caller to the White House as he did to Pope John Paul II; who was more nuanced and perceptive than the press would ever admit; who never let the power and prestige of the Presidency go to his head.

Now that Ronald Reagan has passed away, there is a hunger for a deeper understanding of what made him a great President. Jim Kuhn offers a unique perspective on the private Ronald Reagan that will fascinate his millions of admirers.

About the Author

Jim Kuhn

Jim Kuhn served Ronald Reagan as an advance man, personal assistant, and finally, executive assistant, from 1976 until the President left the White House in 1989. Kuhn is now a Washington lobbyist..

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