A homework assignment for anyone really interested in the Reagan legacy

[WilliamPitt]

A lot of people here know a lot about Reagan and his times, but for those who don't know as much as they would like to, please allow me to offer some reading suggestions. The following books should be read in the order they appear:

1. 'Generation of Swine,' by Hunter S. Thompson. This is a compendium of the Doctor's essays from his time with the San Francisco Examiner. They all take place during the Reagan administration, and the latter half of the book covers Iran/Contra and 'Ollie Mania.' It is an entertaining read, and a good way to get re-familiarized with the players involved.

2. 'A Very Thin Line,' by Theodore Draper. This is an excellent recount of the Iran/Contra scandal from start to finish.

3. 'Way Out There in the Blue,' by Frances Fitzgerald. This book is as important a volume on Reagan as any you'll read. Fitzgerald provides an all-encompassing view of Reagan, from his beginnings through the GE days through California to the White House, and explains the reality of Reagan through the lens of the Strategic Defense Initiative. Very incredible.

4. 'And The Band Played On,' by Randy Shilts. This is the definitive work on how AIDS in the 1980s became the killer it is today, the people involved in trying to deal with it, and how they got screwed over at every turn by a Reagan administration that couldn't have cared less. This is the book about the human cost of Reagan, one of many to be sure, but one of the best.

[NMDemDist2]

1. And the Band Played On is a good movie too available at your

local video store. If you haven't seen it, go rent it today.

[BurtWorm]

2. Landslide by Jane Mayer and Doyle McManus is another interesting read

It covers Reagan's waste of a second term, a waste caused by the Reaganites' believing their annihilation of Mondale in 1984 gave them a mandate to take a dump on the Constitution.

[2Design]

3. thanks

[VelmaD]

4. I've read 1 and 4...

and you're right, they are excellent and I highly recommend them both. I may just have to dig them back out for a re-read.

I've read so much about Iran/Contra over the years that I can't for the life of me remember if I've read 'A Very Thin Line'.

Never read 'Way Out There in the Blue' but I trust your opinion on these things and will likely go hunting for it.

So, when is the report due and do I get a gold star when I'm done? ;)

[Bandit]

5. The Reagan Presidential Papers have been locked up by Bush* against

Congressional Law. Congressional Law states all Presidential Papers shall be released after no more than twelve years have gone by after leaving office. Bush* is in blatant violation of that Law.

[WilliamPitt]

6. kICK