I was happily surprised to find out what I consider good things about him, too. I grew up on Thoreau. However, it was not all positive in the book. There was a lot of detail devoted to Iran-Contra and the Neocons. I believe Reagan was disappointed in himself to have trusted them and that is probably the reason for the shake ups in his administration later on.

Allan is correct. Reagan was a true believer and he trusted those closest to him to have the same motives he did. Unfortunately, there are not many people like him. I think the people that surround the president ultimately shape his image and I hope the next president is a good judge of character and surrounds himself with people of high quality and not just those who are receiving a political pay off.

Allan,

My elderly neighbors good to bed early (with the chickens) and most people will not let their children around me.