Written with warmth, this biographical portrait of Ronald Reagan presents an affection for Reagan not evident in her memoir of her time in his administration. Peggy Noonan, best known as a wordsmith for Reagan and Bush Senior, is clear as she communicates the emotive aim of her words. .
This book is not pure biography because Noonan also describes in detail her interaction with Reagan. A touching passage is her description of seeing Reagan in 1994 and introducing her young son to the president who no longer remembered her. She brings special insight into Ronald Reagan's history and personality. She brings her own reflections to Reagan to bear in When Character Was King. She discloses never-before-told stories from the former president's family, friends, and White House colleagues to reveal the true nature of a man even his opponents now view as a maker of big history.
This book spans twenty years-a full generation-since Ronald Reagan first walked into the White House and lit a revolution. From the beginning, he enjoyed the American people's love but now, as he approaches the end of his life, he has received what he deserved even more: their deepest respect. Noonan argues that the secret of Reagan's success was no secret at all. It was his character, his courage, kindness, persistence, honesty, and his almost heroic patience in the face of setbacks, that was the most important element of his success. The one thing a man must bring into the White House with him if he is to succeed, is a character that people come to recognize as high, sturdy, and reliable.
His greatness was owed to a number of things. First of all, it is fascinating that he came from less than any other American president of this century. He came from less economically and financially, in terms of a family in a position of respect. Most Presidents come from something pretty stable. Reagan didn't. He didn't call it poverty.