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    When Character Was King
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    When Character Was King
    Unavailable
    When Character Was King
    Audiobook (abridged)5 hours

    When Character Was King

    Published by Penguin Random House Audio

    4.5/5

    ()

    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this audiobook

    From the bestselling author of What I Saw at the Revolution comes an elegiac tribute to one of America's most beloved leaders.

    It is twenty years-a full generation-since Ronald Reagan first walked into the White House and ignited a revolution. From the beginning, he enjoyed the American people's affection but now, as he approaches the end of his life, he has received what he deserved even more: their deep respect.

    What was the wellspring of his greatness? Peggy Noonan, bestselling author of the classic Reagan-era memoir What I Saw at the Revolution, former speechwriter, and now a columnist and contributing editor for The Wall Street Journal, argues that the secret of Reagan's success was no secret at all. It was his character-his courage, his kindness, his persistence, his 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, Noonan contends, is a character that people come to recognize as high, sturdy, and reliable.

    Noonan, renowned for her special insight into Ronald Reagan's history and personality, brings her own reflections to Reagan to bear in When Character Was King and 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.

    Marked by incisive wit and elegant prose, When Character Was King will enlighten and move readers.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherPenguin Random House Audio
    Release dateNov 13, 2001
    ISBN9780553755091
    Unavailable
    When Character Was King

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    Reviews for When Character Was King

    4.5/5

    7 ratings3 reviews

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    • 5/5
      This was a great book about Ronald Reagan. What struck me so much about it is how relevant his philosophy is towards today's economic woes, despite the fact it was written in 2001. It's impossible not to compare the past climates in 1964 and again in 1979 with today's huge deficit and general malaise in the country. Among some of the things that struck me was his desire to reduce the size of an unwieldy and ineffectual government, hearkening back to the original intent of the U.S.'s founding fathers. His plan to reduce taxes in order to promote growth in the economy made perfect sense and was successful (Kennedy did this as well and well, what do you know? It works!) Rather than raise taxes which hurts the economy, growth led to the boom in America that lasted from the Reagan years all the way through the Clinton years. So much of what Reagan was saying way back in his first political speech for Goldwater in 1964 made sense and he kept at it, never deviating from his original intent. Did he use polls to make decisions? Never! I could go on an on. Beautifully written homage to Reagan from Noonan, whose writing tugs at your heartstrings, bringing up so much emotion and genuine fondness for this great president. Beginning with his birth and childhood, his days in Hollywood and SAG president, the governorship of CA and through the presidency leading up to his sad years with Alzheimer's - all in a simple and seemingly effortless prose. This book is full of lessons of what is wrong economically with the U.S. now.
    • 4/5
      Biography of Ronald Reagan from a gifted writer who knew him well.
    • 5/5
      This book isn't for everyone. I thought it wasn't for me when I first started reading it.Eddie Huang is the owner of Baohaus, a NYC eatery that is one of the hottest places in town. This is his autobiography, the story of his evolution from a confused kids who was fresh off the boat to an entrepreneur and a food celebrity. I really like thisi book because his life experience runs parallel to mine in many ways.There are difference though, and even though Eddie speaks from a place that is near and dear to my heart, I am from an era that is far removed from Eddie Huang's generation. Hip-hop isn't my thing and I just don't get it. BUT, there are enough commonalities so that I do get where he is coming from. We both were born in Taiwan, we both came to America as young children. We both found our way through the maze that is America. Eddie did it about twenty years after I did, and he did it with far more courage. I went through the Caucasian society by keeping my head down and working at getting better and smarter their way. Eddie did it by figuring out his way and then having the courage and discipline to stay with it. I seethed inwardly at the racial stereotyping and the inequalities inherent in America, Eddie fought those things and more. Literally.First of all, being the only Chinese kid in the neighborhood is not a good deal. The stereotypes run rampant and people get really ticked if you don't behave the way they want you to behave. Both of us have been through all that and Eddie's stories, while outrageous sounding, smack of the truth. He is as real as it gets, even more real than anyone wants.The other part of the growing up Chinese/Taiwanese in America is the relationships we have with our families, particularly our parents. There is some hidden genetic code in Chinese parents, they all must have learned from the same book, just like the Tiger mom's book. You never praise your kid, you never let them know just how proud you are of them. Whatever they do is never enough and they are the dumbest, ugliest, the most worthless human beings on earth. While I love my parents, nothing I ever did was right, anything that I did which did not conform to their definitions of success: good grades, assimilation, wealth, and grudging acceptance by the Caucasians. was considered not good enough. So reading that part of the book was intense and had me riveted.As a matter of fact, this book had me riveted for a good number of instance. Eddie Huang can write, his intelligence overflows the pages. But there are numerous times when he writes in his true street vernacular, those are the times that I really could not understand just what he is saying. But his rhythm, his tone, and his style really does help me transcend the lost in the translation feeling and drives home the points that he wanted to drive home.I think the most enjoyable parts of the autobiography for me is when he starts talking about the foods of Taiwan and his own study of those foods. His expert descriptions of the street foods had my mouth watering at the memories and his description of his own culinary adventures had me marveling at his talent. In the end, I think this is a book for the open minded. I don't think the average Food Network groupie would get into the cultural analysis inherent in the book. Many Chinese people would be horrified at some of young Eddie's adventures. It certainly won't make Chinese parents happy. In the end, Eddite Huang's honesty and straight as an arrow attitude is very attractive and makes for great reading.