How can we square Reagan the man with the astonishing events of the Reagan era? The mystery of Reagan is best summarized in the remark that National Security Advisor Robert McFarlane made to Secretary of State George Shultz: "He knows so little, and accomplishes so much." In Ronald Reagan: How an Ordinary Man Became an Extraordinary Leader, Dinesh D'Souza solves the mystery of Reagan by showing how this "ordinary" man was able to transform the political landscape in a way that made a permanent impact on America and the world. Through firsthand reporting and interviews, D'Souza portrays the private side of Reagan - the man behind the mask - and reveals the moral sources of his vision and leadership. Indeed, D'Souza argues that Reagan deserves to be considered one of the most important presidents in American history and, with Franklin Roosevelt, one of the two most influential of the 20th century. He concludes that, if Reagan does not fit our preconceptions of what makes a great leader, then we must rethink our understanding of both greatness and leadership.
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