Read Craig Shirley’s Rendevous with Destiny
December 23rd, 2009 Posted in Politics, Books, History, Ronald ReaganThis comes a little late as a recommendation for a Christmas present, but it’s still well worth buying and reading. Craig Shirley, a long time conservative activist, has written Rendevous With Destiny: Ronald Reagan and the Campaign that Changed America, published by ISI Books. It tells the wonderful story of Ronald Reagan’s campaign for the presidency in 1980.
I just finished it after taking it on a trip to China. It’s well-written, filled with information, and a pleasure to read. Craig is a Reagan fan, but doesn’t sugar-coat the mistakes and infighting that marred the campaign. 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.
I’m not without bias here. I worked on the campaign and am mentioned in a tangential role in a couple of places (Craig interviewed me during his research phase). I’ve also worked with ISI over the years.
Still, it was the remembrance of the grand adventure in 1980 rather than professional connections which caused me to so enjoy the book. I kept thinking: “I remember that,” “that was a great moment,” “he was quite a personality,” “I wonder what she is doing today?”, or “it was a lot harder at the time than it looks like today.” The unique memories from the unique experience of a presidential campaign came flooding back.
Pick it up: Craig Shirley’s Rendevous With Destiny!