Reagan An American Life

Ronald Reagan (February 6, 1911 - June 5, 2004) Relocating to Los Angeles in the 1930s, Reagan began a successful career as an actor appearing in 52 movie productions. In 1962 he switched from the Democratic to Republican party. His rise to political national prominence began as a successful two term governor of California in the 1970s. Twice defeated in his run for the Republican presidential nomination in 1968 and 1976, he prevailed and defeated Jimmy Carter in 1980. Once president, Reagan implemented historic, sweeping new political and economic initiatives. His supply-side economic policies, dubbed ""Reaganomics,"" advocated reduced business regulation, controlling inflation, reducing government spending, and dramatic tax cuts. These policies led to significant economic growth for two decades. In his first term he survived an assassination attempt but his optimism, in light of this shocking event, endeared him to all Americans. Reelected in a landslide in 1984, Reagan proclaiming it was ""Morning in America."" Focused on an ideological struggle with the Soviet Union, which he defined as an ""evil empire,"" he supported anti-Communist movements worldwide and; ignoring detente, ordered a massive military buildup. Many feel this was a central event in ending the Cold War. Five years after leaving office, the former president disclosed that he had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease earlier in the year. Ronald Reagan passed away at the age of 93. He ranks among one of the highest former U.S. presidents in terms of approval rating. An inspiring biography.