Podcast appearances and mentions of Max Boot

Russian-born American writer and historian (born 1969

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  • Feb 18, 2026LATEST
Max Boot

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Best podcasts about Max Boot

Latest podcast episodes about Max Boot

Deep State Radio
The More the World Hears from the US, the More Confused it Gets

Deep State Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2026 38:03


⁠“Rubio goes to Munich, then goes out for a cup of tea…”⁠ The Munich Security Conference highlighted the unpredictability of US foreign policy. Europe is coming to terms with US unreliability, and the Democratic party is beginning to see its primary candidates emerge. What should we make of the Munich Security Conference? What - or who - is the future of the Democratic party? Max Boot of the Council on Foreign Relations joins David Rothkopf, Rosa Brooks, and Ed Luce to discuss all this and more. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Deep State Radio
The More the World Hears from the US, the More Confused it Gets

Deep State Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 18, 2026 38:03


⁠“Rubio goes to Munich, then goes out for a cup of tea…”⁠ The Munich Security Conference highlighted the unpredictability of US foreign policy. Europe is coming to terms with US unreliability, and the Democratic party is beginning to see its primary candidates emerge. What should we make of the Munich Security Conference? What - or who - is the future of the Democratic party? Max Boot of the Council on Foreign Relations joins David Rothkopf, Rosa Brooks, and Ed Luce to discuss all this and more. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Conversations at the Washington Library
Ronald Reagan and Pragmatic Leadership with Max Boot

Conversations at the Washington Library

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2026 39:59


In this episode of Leadership and Legacy, historian and best-selling author Max Boot reflects on the insights he gained while writing the first definitive biography of President Ronald Reagan. From a turbulent childhood to his unlikely rise as a Hollywood leading man, Reagan's early experiences shaped a leadership style that would eventually carry him to the highest office in the land. Boot explores how Reagan's willingness to compromise—often overlooked—became a cornerstone of his enduring legacy. Tune in for a nuanced look at the evolution of Reagan's leadership, including the strengths that defined him and the weaknesses that tested him. Leadership and Legacy: Conversations at the George Washington Presidential Library is hosted by Washington Library Executive Director Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky. It is a production of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association and Primary Source Media. For more information about this program, go to www.GeorgeWashingtonPodcast.com.

Conversations at the Washington Library
Ronald Reagan and Pragmatic Leadership with Max Boot

Conversations at the Washington Library

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 14, 2026 39:59


In this episode of Leadership and Legacy, historian and best-selling author Max Boot reflects on the insights he gained while writing the first definitive biography of President Ronald Reagan. From a turbulent childhood to his unlikely rise as a Hollywood leading man, Reagan's early experiences shaped a leadership style that would eventually carry him to the highest office in the land. Boot explores how Reagan's willingness to compromise—often overlooked—became a cornerstone of his enduring legacy. Tune in for a nuanced look at the evolution of Reagan's leadership, including the strengths that defined him and the weaknesses that tested him. Leadership and Legacy: Conversations at the George Washington Presidential Library is hosted by Washington Library Executive Director Dr. Lindsay Chervinsky. It is a production of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association and Primary Source Media. For more information about this program, go to www.GeorgeWashingtonPodcast.com.

Deep State Radio
Happy New Imperialism, Everybody!

Deep State Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2026 44:07


Our President opened up the new year with some brand new imperialism. But is it really new, or just a rehash of the greatest hits of America's expansionist past? With the capture of Maduro and threats against Mexico, Columbia, and Greenland, we're in a dangerous new era. Max Boot and Ed Luce join David Rothkopf to break down what recent developments reveal about Trump's foreign policy, why MAGA may have to exchange isolationism for imperialism, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Deep State Radio
Happy New Imperialism, Everybody!

Deep State Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2026 44:07


Our President opened up the new year with some brand new imperialism. But is it really new, or just a rehash of the greatest hits of America's expansionist past? With the capture of Maduro and threats against Mexico, Columbia, and Greenland, we're in a dangerous new era. Max Boot and Ed Luce join David Rothkopf to break down what recent developments reveal about Trump's foreign policy, why MAGA may have to exchange isolationism for imperialism, and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The John Batchelor Show
S8 Ep248: THE ROAD TO THE WHITE HOUSE: CAMPAIGNS OF 1976 AND 1980 Colleague Max Boot. Discussing the path to the presidency, Boot analyzes Reagan's close 1976 loss to Gerald Ford and his victorious 1980 campaign. He highlights the firing of campaign mana

The John Batchelor Show

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2025 9:17


THE ROAD TO THE WHITE HOUSE: CAMPAIGNS OF 1976 AND 1980 Colleague Max Boot. Discussing the path to the presidency, Boot analyzes Reagan's close 1976 loss to Gerald Ford and his victorious 1980 campaign. He highlights the firing of campaign manager John Sears, Bill Casey's role in the potential "October Surprise" regarding Iranian hostages, and Reagan's decisive debate performance against Jimmy Carter. NUMBER 5 1971 GOVERNOR'S BALL

The John Batchelor Show
S8 Ep248: THE LEGACY OF THE GREAT COMMUNICATOR Colleague Max Boot. Boot reflects on Reagan's legacy, noting his "genial and aloof" personality rooted in childhood trauma. He discusses the superficial nature of Reagan's diaries, his economic re

The John Batchelor Show

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2025 8:31


 THE LEGACY OF THE GREAT COMMUNICATOR Colleague Max Boot. Boot reflects on Reagan's legacy, noting his "genial and aloof" personality rooted in childhood trauma. He discusses the superficial nature of Reagan's diaries, his economic record aided by Paul Volcker, and his unassuming nature, exemplified by a story about an uncomfortable chair he refused to complain about. NUMBER 8 1927

The John Batchelor Show
S8 Ep248: COLD WAR DIPLOMACY AND ADMINISTRATIVE SCANDALS Colleague Max Boot. Focusing on foreign policy, Boot details Reagan's shift from "Evil Empire" rhetoric to a constructive partnership with Gorbachev to end the Cold War. He also addresses

The John Batchelor Show

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2025 10:59


COLD WAR DIPLOMACY AND ADMINISTRATIVE SCANDALS Colleague Max Boot. Focusing on foreign policy, Boot details Reagan's shift from "Evil Empire" rhetoric to a constructive partnership with Gorbachev to end the Cold War. He also addresses the administration's failures, including the chaotic tenure of Don Regan, the Iran-Contrascandal caused by Reagan's disengagement, and weak responses to apartheid. NUMBER 7 1984 PONT DU HOC

The John Batchelor Show
S8 Ep248: ASSASSINATION SURVIVAL AND THE FIRST TERM AGENDA Colleague Max Boot. Boot describes Reagan's survival of the 1981 assassination attempt as his "finest hour," boosting his popularity and legislative agenda. He explains the power dynami

The John Batchelor Show

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2025 8:23


ASSASSINATION SURVIVAL AND THE FIRST TERM AGENDA Colleague Max Boot. Boot describes Reagan'ssurvival of the 1981 assassination attempt as his "finest hour," boosting his popularity and legislative agenda. He explains the power dynamics of the White House "Troika," specifically James Baker's influence, the implementation of tax cuts despite deficits, and the historic appointment of Sandra Day O'Connor. NUMBER 1981 INAUGURAL BALL

The John Batchelor Show
S8 Ep248: THE SHIFT TO CONSERVATISM AND THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION Colleague Max Boot. Boot traces Reagan's political evolution from New Deal Democrat to conservative icon while hosting General Electric Theater. He covers Reagan's breakout 1964 speech for

The John Batchelor Show

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2025 9:14


THE SHIFT TO CONSERVATISM AND THE GOVERNOR'S MANSION Colleague Max Boot. Boot traces Reagan's political evolution from New Deal Democrat to conservative icon while hosting General Electric Theater. He covers Reagan's breakout 1964 speech for Goldwater, his election as California governor, his confrontational handling of student protests, and his complex relationship with President Nixon before the Watergate scandal. NUMBER 4 1952

The John Batchelor Show
S8 Ep248: HOLLYWOOD POLITICS, DIVORCE, AND MEETING NANCY Colleague Max Boot. Boot examines the collapse of Reagan's marriage to Jane Wyman as her career outpaced his post-WWII. He discusses Reagan's navigation of the "Red Scare" as SAG preside

The John Batchelor Show

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2025 10:17


HOLLYWOOD POLITICS, DIVORCE, AND MEETING NANCY Colleague Max Boot. Boot examines the collapse of Reagan's marriage to Jane Wyman as her career outpaced his post-WWII. He discusses Reagan's navigation of the "Red Scare" as SAG president—publicly liberal but privately an FBI informant—and his subsequent marriage to Nancy Davis, who became his essential protector and political partner. NUMBER 3 1946

The John Batchelor Show
S8 Ep248: FROM IOWA RADIO TO WARNER BROTHERS STARDOM Colleague Max Boot. Boot details Reagan's college romance with Margaret Cleaver and his early career shift from sportscasting in Iowa to acting in Hollywood. He explains Reagan's initial success in B-

The John Batchelor Show

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2025 8:04


FROM IOWA RADIO TO WARNER BROTHERS STARDOM Colleague Max Boot. Boot details Reagan's college romance with Margaret Cleaver and his early career shift from sportscasting in Iowa to acting in Hollywood. He explains Reagan's initial success in B-movies at Warner Brothers and his courtship of actress Jane Wyman, leading to their marriage and his ascent in the film industry. NUMBER 2 1940 SANTE FE TRAIL

The John Batchelor Show
S8 Ep248: A MIDWESTERN CHILDHOOD: ROOTS OF OPTIMISM AND DETACHMENT Colleague Max Boot. Biographer Max Boot discusses Ronald Reagan's difficult childhood in Illinois during the Great Depression. He details how Reagan's alcoholic father, Jack, created fam

The John Batchelor Show

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2025 9:37


A MIDWESTERN CHILDHOOD: ROOTS OF OPTIMISM AND DETACHMENT Colleague Max Boot. Biographer Max Boot discusses Ronald Reagan's difficult childhood in Illinois during the Great Depression. He details how Reagan's alcoholic father, Jack, created family instability, while his mother, Nelly, instilled optimism and a love for performance. Boot also highlights Reagan's formative experience as a lifeguard, shaping his desire to be a hero. NUMBER 1 1916 THE REAGANS

History As It Happens
Party of Reagan

History As It Happens

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2025 45:37


Subscribe to skip ads, get bonus content, and enjoy access to the entire catalog of 500 episodes. Keep the narrative flow going! Is the rise of Donald Trump a result or a rejection of Reaganism? As the conservative movement is convulsed by the crazies inside and outside its ranks, some may feel nostalgic for a bygone age when a Republican president seemed committed to the principles of smaller government, free trade, and America's global leadership. But what was Reaganism, really? Our guest in this episode is historian Max Boot. Recommended reading: Reagan: His Life and Legend by Max Boot The Age of Reagan by Sean Wilentz

Deep State Radio
This Year We're Thankful for Courage and Resistance

Deep State Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2025 35:58


Trump's foreign policy can be summarized with one phrase: FUBAR. The administration's commitment to Ukraine is laughable, and Trump's politics are driving a potentially irreversible wedge between us and our closest allies. But if we can't be thankful for the atrocious politics of our government, at least we can be thankful for the courage and resistance of those committed to democracy, both at home and abroad. Max Boot of the Council on Foreign Relations joins David Rothkopf and Rosa Brooks to discuss America's place in the world on the eve of Thanksgiving. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Deep State Radio
This Year We're Thankful for Courage and Resistance

Deep State Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 26, 2025 35:58


Trump's foreign policy can be summarized with one phrase: FUBAR. The administration's commitment to Ukraine is laughable, and Trump's politics are driving a potentially irreversible wedge between us and our closest allies. But if we can't be thankful for the atrocious politics of our government, at least we can be thankful for the courage and resistance of those committed to democracy, both at home and abroad. Max Boot of the Council on Foreign Relations joins David Rothkopf and Rosa Brooks to discuss America's place in the world on the eve of Thanksgiving. Looking for More from the DSR Network? Click Here: https://linktr.ee/deepstateradio Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The John Batchelor Show
41: Reagan's Pragmatic Cold War Victory, Don Regan's Disastrous Tenure, and the Iran-Contra Near-Death Experience. Max Boot discusses how Ronald Reagan had no patience for communism, and in his first term, his policy toward the Soviet Union was somewhat

The John Batchelor Show

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2025 10:59


Reagan's Pragmatic Cold War Victory, Don Regan's Disastrous Tenure, and the Iran-Contra Near-Death Experience. Max Boot discusses how Ronald Reagan had no patience for communism, and in his first term, his policy toward the Soviet Union was somewhat unsuccessful, though it improved in 1985 with the ascension of Mikhail Gorbachev. Reagan's genius was recognizing that Gorbachev was a different communist leader he could "do business with," and they established a rapport that allowed them to constructively reduce nuclear armaments and peacefully end the Cold War. The transition into Reagan's second term saw a catastrophic personnel decision when Reagan allowed Jim Baker and Don Regan to swap jobs. Regan lacked political instincts and presided over problems that culminated in the Iran-Contra scandal. Reagan was highly exercised by American hostages seized by Hezbollah, and National Security Advisor Bud McFarlane suggested shipping weapons to supposed Iranian moderates in exchange for hostage releases, which was a fiasco. The scandal intensified when McFarlane's successor, John Poindexter, and Oliver North diverted the profits from the weapon sales to fund the anti-communist Contras in Nicaragua. This incident could have led to impeachment, but Reagan's salvation was his reputation for being hands-off and disengaged. Reagan also faced criticism over a human rights double standard, speaking eloquently about violations behind the Iron Curtain but being less exercised about apartheid in South Africa.

The John Batchelor Show
41: Ronald Reagan's Traumatic Childhood: An Alcoholic Father, an Optimistic Mother, and the Seeds of Aloofness. Max Boot discusses Ronald Reagan's childhood during the Great Depression, beginning in late 1932 when Reagan visited his father, Jack Reagan,

The John Batchelor Show

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2025 9:37


Ronald Reagan's Traumatic Childhood: An Alcoholic Father, an Optimistic Mother, and the Seeds of Aloofness.Max Boot discusses Ronald Reagan's childhood during the Great Depression, beginning in late 1932 when Reagan visited his father, Jack Reagan, in Springfield, Illinois, where Jack was running a shoe store. Jack Reagan, an Irish American shoe salesman, was characterized as a "ne'er-do-well" with a charming gift of blarney but plagued by alcoholism. His drinking problem contributed significantly to the misery of Ronald Reagan's childhood, as Jack repeatedly lost jobs, forcing the family to constantly move. This created a sense of dislocation in young Ronald, known as Dutch, and the need to conceal the "family secret" fostered a lasting sense of remoteness and a "mental barrier." His difficult childhood also resulted in an aversion to personality conflict, stemming from the numerous arguments he witnessed between his father and mother, Nelle. Ronald Reagan was born in a winter storm in 1911, with his nickname "Dutch" originating from his father's remark that he was a cheerful, chubby little baby boy. Nelle Reagan was an extremely admirable Protestant who belonged to the Disciples of Christ faith and was intensely religious and highly committed to community service. She was also a "frustrated actress" who cast Dutch and his brother Moon as extras in plays she staged. Nelle's relentlessly positive, upbeat, and optimistic personality taught her son that one must always look on the "sunny side of life," allowing Reagan to cope with his difficult childhood by always placing a positive gloss on it. A formative experience occurred around age 15 when Reagan secured a job as a lifeguard at the Rock River, saving 77 people from drowning and becoming a small-town hero, providing him with a taste of being renowned and admired.

The John Batchelor Show
41: From College Engagement to Radio Stardom: Ronald Reagan's Ascent to the Hollywood B-List. Max Boot discusses how Ronald Reagan's father, Jack, secured a job as an administrator of welfare for the New Deal in late 1933. Meanwhile, Ronald developed in

The John Batchelor Show

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2025 8:04


From College Engagement to Radio Stardom: Ronald Reagan's Ascent to the Hollywood B-List. Max Boot discusses how Ronald Reagan's father, Jack, secured a job as an administrator of welfare for the New Deal in late 1933. Meanwhile, Ronald developed into a successful young football star at Eureka College, where his steady girlfriend was Margaret Cleaver, known as Mugs. They were deeply in love and engaged to be married, but after graduation they separated, and Margaret, following a trip to Europe, fell in love with an American diplomat and returned the engagement ring to a crushed Reagan. Margaret's father, the Reverend Cleaver, was highly influential, acting almost as a surrogate father to Dutch Reagan. Dutch Reagan possessed a magnificent, compelling voice for storytelling and, graduating from college in 1932, recognized that while movie studios were absent from the Midwest, radio stations were plentiful. He landed his first radio job in Davenport, Iowa, and quickly succeeded, transferring to a larger station in Des Moines, where he became a very successful sportscaster known throughout the Midwest as Dutch Reagan, the voice of the Chicago Cubs and the White Sox. In Hollywood, Reagan was recognized as a heroic figure with a consistently sunny disposition and initially started in B-pictures at Warner Brothers. Reagan's movie career generated good income, and he demonstrated responsibility by moving his parents out to Hollywood. He met actress Jane Wyman at the Warner Brothers commissary, and they were married in January 1940.

The John Batchelor Show
41: The Fracture of Reagan's First Marriage, Hollywood's Red Scare, and the Appearance of Nancy Davis. Max Boot discusses the marriage between Ronald Reagan and Jane Wyman, which was considered an "odd combination." Wyman was drawn to Reagan b

The John Batchelor Show

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2025 10:17


The Fracture of Reagan's First Marriage, Hollywood's Red Scare, and the Appearance of Nancy Davis. Max Boot discusses the marriage between Ronald Reagan and Jane Wyman, which was considered an "odd combination." Wyman was drawn to Reagan because he was a "nice guy" and a "white knight," though Reagan was "very hard to get to commit." By the eve of World War II, Reagan was professionally ascending, but the war derailed his commercial film career as he spent the entire conflict in Hollywood making training and propaganda films. When the war ended, there was diminished demand for his services, while Jane Wyman's career soared after the war. Reagan became increasingly active in the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) and Hollywood politics, still an "idealistic liberal" and New Dealer, while Wyman became uninterested in politics, leading them to drift apart. The political climate was dominated by Congress's search for communists in Hollywood. Reagan served as the unpaid president of SAG and navigated the "treacherous politics" of the McCarthy era skillfully, appearing liberal when testifying before HUAC while quietly acting as an FBI informant. Jane Wyman initiated the divorce in 1948, shocking Reagan and leaving him adrift. Nancy Davis then entered his life, leading to a marriage that made sense, as Nancy wanted to be a wife and mother and threw herself into the role of the "perfect wife." Reagan needed a strong woman, and Nancy became absolutely integral to his career advancement, acting as a shrewd political figure who often handled hiring and firing.

The John Batchelor Show
41: The Road to Goldwater: Ronald Reagan's Conservative Conversion via General Electric and His Confrontational Governorship. Max Boot discusses how Ronald Reagan found great success in television, hosting the General Electric Theater and earning substan

The John Batchelor Show

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2025 9:14


The Road to Goldwater: Ronald Reagan's Conservative Conversion via General Electric and His Confrontational Governorship. Max Boot discusses how Ronald Reagan found great success in television, hosting the General Electric Theater and earning substantial income while mixing with corporate leadership in the 1950s and early 1960s. Reagan transitioned politically from being an avid New Dealer and FDR supporter to supporting the early Republican conservative movement, particularly Barry Goldwater. Boot argues that Reagan changed, not the Democratic Party, as his transformation began in World War II when he resented paying income taxes at a 90% rate. His political shift was completed in the 1950s during his time as a spokesman for General Electric, where he used long train rides to read conservative literature. In 1964, Reagan's debut on the national political stage came when the Goldwater campaign bought half an hour of air time for Reagan to deliver "A Time for Choosing," which became known simply as "the speech." In 1966, Reagan decided to run for governor against incumbent Pat Brown. During his tenure, particularly the People's Park demonstrations in 1969, Reagan adopted a confrontational stance, using hardline rhetoric and giving student radicals the confrontation they desired, though this approach was politically successful. Reagan was a devoted supporter of Richard Nixon, even backing him during Watergate, though Nixon held little respect for Reagan. Reagan ran hard for the presidency in 1976 and 1980.

The John Batchelor Show
41: Presidential Ambition and the 1980 Victory: From Farm Hand Friendship to the "There You Go Again" Knockout. Max Boot discusses Ronald Reagan running for president, first challenging incumbent Gerald Ford in the 1976 Republican primaries. Rea

The John Batchelor Show

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2025 9:17


Presidential Ambition and the 1980 Victory: From Farm Hand Friendship to the "There You Go Again" Knockout. Max Boot discusses Ronald Reagan running for president, first challenging incumbent Gerald Ford in the 1976 Republican primaries. Reagan narrowly lost the New Hampshire primary to Ford by about a thousand votes, but won the hearts of the convention with a graceful and moving speech delivered in defeat. After Ford lost to Jimmy Carter, Reagan spent the years between 1976 and 1980 returning to his "first love": radio. Despite his 1976 loss and his age (69), Reagan decided to run again in 1980, driven by personal ambition. Reagan loved going to his ranch outside Santa Barbara on weekends, where he enjoyed physical labor and preferred associating with ranch hands, former California state policemen Dennis LeBlanc and Barney Barnett, over the magnates with whom he was often photographed. The 1980 campaign was initially managed by John Sears, but Reagan fired him on the day of the New Hampshire primary, and Nancy brought in Bill Casey as campaign chairman. Casey was later implicated in the alleged "October surprise," and Boot found strong evidence this "probably happened," though the culpability rested with Casey, not Reagan. The campaign remained close through the summer, but the gap opened up weeks before Election Day primarily because of the late October debate, where Reagan delivered the famous rhetorical knockout blow, "There you go again," winning him the debate and the election.

The John Batchelor Show
41: The Finest Hour: How the Assassination Attempt Secured Reaganomics and the Rise of the Baker-Deaver Troika. Max Boot discusses how on March 30, 1981, just 69 days into his administration, Ronald Reagan was shot after giving a speech in Washington and

The John Batchelor Show

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2025 8:23


The Finest Hour: How the Assassination Attempt Secured Reaganomics and the Rise of the Baker-Deaver Troika.Max Boot discusses how on March 30, 1981, just 69 days into his administration, Ronald Reagan was shot after giving a speech in Washington and came very close to death. Boot describes the event as Reagan's "finest hour," as Reagan behaved heroically, maintaining his composure and humor, famously joking with doctors, "I hope you're all Republicans," and telling Nancy, "Honey, I forgot to duck." The immediate political benefit was a huge boost in popularity and a massive increase in the prospects for his first budget, which included tax and spending cuts (Reaganomics). Reagan's great strength was convincing people to see the world as he wished it to be, persuading himself that dramatically cutting taxes and raising defense spending would eliminate the budget deficit, though this proved incorrect as budget deficits grew. Reagan was a "great leader but a poor manager," requiring highly capable people to manage for him, particularly Jim Baker. Boot considers appointing Jim Baker as White House Chief of Staff Reagan's most important decision, creating the Troika structure with James Baker, Ed Meese, and Mike Deaver. Another significant first-term achievement was Reagan's appointment of Sandra Day O'Connor to the Supreme Court in August 1981, fulfilling a campaign promise to appoint a woman.

The John Batchelor Show
41: The "Genial and Aloof" Communicator: Reagan's Psychological Defense and Exquisite Political Timing. Max Boot discusses the late Reagan administration, his personality, and his legacy. Reagan was famously defined as "genial and aloof,&q

The John Batchelor Show

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2025 8:31


          The "Genial and Aloof" Communicator: Reagan's Psychological Defense and Exquisite Political Timing. Max Boot discusses the late Reagan administration, his personality, and his legacy. Reagan was famously defined as "genial and aloof," and Boot argues that Reagan was "very hard to know," even by his wife Nancy and his closest aides, who felt part of him was "walled off." This aloofness originated in his childhood, where constant moving and hiding his father's alcoholism led him to erect a "mental wall." Reagan was comfortable with the title of "Great Communicator," recognizing the political power of his background by stating, "Some people say they can't understand how an actor can be president. I don't understand how anybody but an actor could be president." His most famous sayings include "Honey, I forgot to duck," "ash heap of history," and "There you go again." Regarding his legacy, Boot notes that the economic recovery was largely "salesmanship," with growth rates during the Reagan presidency similar to the Nixon administration, though Reagan's political timing was "exquisite." Boot credits Reagan as a "very lucky politician" who also "made his own luck," with much of the economic recovery due to Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker. An anecdote illustrating Reagan's modesty notes that when he first sat behind the Resolute desk, he was too tall to fit his knees underneath but did not complain, reflecting his unassuming and undemanding nature.

2020 Politics War Room
334: Art Heists & Drug Wars with Max Boot and Yves Istel

2020 Politics War Room

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 30, 2025 79:18


James and Al break down the imminent elections in NJ, VA, the state Supreme Courts, and on Prop 50 in CA, with a deep dive into the effects of gerrymandering and what it means for the parties.  Then, they welcome economics wizard Yves Instel to discuss the theft from the Louvre, hear the story of his flight from Paris to the USA during WW2, and reflect on art and culture.  They are also joined by WaPo's Max Boot to understand the Trump administration's warmongering with Venezuela, the evolution of the drug war, whether Maduro is genuinely a threat to our country, and conservatism's evolution. Email your questions to James and Al at politicswarroom@gmail.com or tweet them to @politicon.  Make sure to include your city– we love to hear where you're from! Watch Politics War Room & James Carville Explains on YouTube @PoliticsWarRoomOfficial  More from James and Al: Get text updates from Politics War Room and Politicon. Watch Politics War Room & James Carville Explains on YouTube @PoliticsWarRoomOfficial James Carville & Al Hunt have launched the Politics War Room Substack Get updates and some great behind-the-scenes content from the documentary CARVILLE: WINNING IS EVERYTHING, STUPID by following James on X @jamescarville and his new TikTok @realjamescarville Check Out Andrew Zucker's New Politicon Podcast: The Golden Age Get More From This Week's Guests:  Max Boot: Twitter | Threads | Website | WaPo | CFR | Author  Yves Istel: French American Foundation | European Institute

Deep State Radio
Our Experts Put the Kibosh on Hopes for Ukraine Peace Anytime Soon

Deep State Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2025 44:59


There has been a diplomatic flurry around Ukraine in recent days, yet the theme of progress has been hollow words and flip-flopping. Is the White House serious about peace, or is this all just a photo op? Amb. Doug Lute, Max Boot, Andrea Kendall-Taylor, and Rosa Brooks join David Rothkopf to get to the bottom of this diplomacy blitz and put the kibosh on hopes for real peace anytime soon.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Deep State Radio
Our Experts Put the Kibosh on Hopes for Ukraine Peace Anytime Soon

Deep State Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 20, 2025 44:59


There has been a diplomatic flurry around Ukraine in recent days, yet the theme of progress has been hollow words and flip-flopping. Is the White House serious about peace, or is this all just a photo op? Amb. Doug Lute, Max Boot, Andrea Kendall-Taylor, and Rosa Brooks join David Rothkopf to get to the bottom of this diplomacy blitz and put the kibosh on hopes for real peace anytime soon.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Deep State Radio
Has Trump Really Changed His Tone on Russia? Really?

Deep State Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2025 30:13


Trump is turning up the heat on Russia — or is he? Trump has had some harsh words and severe threats for Vladimir Putin over the invasion of Ukraine, but we don't know what the President will really do when push comes to shove. Max Boot and Kori Schake join David Rothkopf to cut through the bluster to see what this new rhetoric really means for Ukraine.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Deep State Radio
Has Trump Really Changed His Tone on Russia? Really?

Deep State Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2025 30:13


Trump is turning up the heat on Russia — or is he? Trump has had some harsh words and severe threats for Vladimir Putin over the invasion of Ukraine, but we don't know what the President will really do when push comes to shove. Max Boot and Kori Schake join David Rothkopf to cut through the bluster to see what this new rhetoric really means for Ukraine.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

America at a Crossroads
Max Boot with Warren Olney | Russia's War on Ukraine: Trump, Putin, Zelensky, and the Search for Peace

America at a Crossroads

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 17, 2025 57:22


In this compelling conversation, foreign policy expert and author Max Boot joins veteran journalist Warren Olney to examine the state of American democracy, global threats, and what's at stake in the months ahead. This episode of America at a Crossroads offers thoughtful analysis, historical perspective, and urgent questions about the direction of the U.S. and the world.

Impromptu
Trump breaks with Putin. But will it last?

Impromptu

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 15, 2025 22:50


The weapons deal President Trump announced this week marks a shift in his attitude toward Russian President Vladimir Putin and the full-scale invasion in Ukraine. But can it shift the trajectory of the war? If not, what will? Damir Marusic, Max Boot and Kori Schake discuss what the deal means for Ukraine and how Trump's growing hawkishness will play to his “America First” supporters. Read more from our columnists:Max Boot: Putin took Trump for granted. He's going to pay for his mistake.David Ignatius: In squeezing Putin, Trump ‘escalates to de-escalate'Subscribe to The Washington Post here.

Deep State Radio
Trump Foreign Policy 2.0: Making China Great Again

Deep State Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2025 46:42


The only consistent theme of Trump's foreign policy has been inconsistency. As baffling choices continue without rhyme or reason, we have to ask—who benefits? Max Boot, Rosa Brooks, and Ed Luce join David Rothkopf to explore why China is the biggest winner in Trump's second term and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Deep State Radio
Trump Foreign Policy 2.0: Making China Great Again

Deep State Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 9, 2025 46:42


The only consistent theme of Trump's foreign policy has been inconsistency. As baffling choices continue without rhyme or reason, we have to ask—who benefits? Max Boot, Rosa Brooks, and Ed Luce join David Rothkopf to explore why China is the biggest winner in Trump's second term and more.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Weekend
The Weekend June 8 7a: Immigration Protests Rock Los Angeles

The Weekend

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2025 40:33


President Donald Trump ordered 2,000 California National Guard troops to Los Angeles after clashes between protestors and immigration agents. California Governor Gavin Newsom condemned the move saying "it will only escalate tensions. Max Boot and Anthony Coley join The Weekend to discuss the protests and the administration's response. 

What Happens Next in 6 Minutes
Reconsidering Ronald Reagan

What Happens Next in 6 Minutes

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 7, 2025 33:39


Our speaker is Max Boot who is the author of a new biography entitled Ronald Reagan: His Life and Legend. I hosted an in-person book club in New York City with Max and you will be hearing questions from me as well as a number of my friends. I want to learn about how Reagan's early life experiences in radio, film, and TV honed his communication skills to succeed in politics. I also want to hear from Max about Reagan's hands-off management style and what that meant for policy implementation. Thanks to Max for joining us. Get full access to What Happens Next in 6 Minutes with Larry Bernstein at www.whathappensnextin6minutes.com/subscribe

5 Things
SPECIAL | At this year's NATO Summit the stakes couldn't be higher

5 Things

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2025 16:16


The 2025 NATO summit will be held in The Hague later this month. Among the topics of discussion will be defense spending, strengthening the alliance, support for Ukraine and bolstering defense capabilities. With the summit fast approaching, how might European powers fill the leadership and aid vacuum left by the U.S. as the Trump administration's appetite for foreign conflict dissipates? Max Boot, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins The Excerpt to talk through all the issues on the table.Let us know what you think of this episode by sending an email to podcasts@usatoday.com.Episode Transcript available hereSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The John Batchelor Show
HOW WOULD FREE TRADER REAGAN RECOGNIZE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION? 1/8 Reagan: His Life and Legend Hardcover – September 10, 2024 by Max Boot (Author) 1983 Afghanistan https://www.amazon.com/Reagan-Life-Legend-Max-Boot/dp/0871409445 The story begi

The John Batchelor Show

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2025 9:37


HOW WOULD FREE TRADER REAGAN RECOGNIZE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION?  1/8 Reagan: His Life and Legend Hardcover – September 10, 2024 by  Max Boot  (Author) 1983 Afghanistan https://www.amazon.com/Reagan-Life-Legend-Max-Boot/dp/0871409445 The story begins not in star-studded Hollywood but in the cradle of the Midwest, small-town Illinois, where Reagan was born in 1911 to Nelle Clyde Wilson, a devoted Disciples of Christ believer, and Jack Reagan, a struggling, alcoholic salesman. Boot vividly creates a portrait of a handsome young man, indeed a much-vaunted lifeguard, whose early successes mirrored those of Horatio Alger. And contextualizing Reagan's life against American history, Boot re-creates the world in which Reagan transitioned from local Iowa sportscaster to budding screen actor. The world of Hollywood from the 1930s to the 1950s would prove significant, not only in Reagan's coming-of-age in such classics as Knute Rockne and Kings Row but during the twilight of his film career, when he played opposite a chimpanzee in Bedtime for Bonzo, and then his eventual emergence as a television host of General Electric Theater, which established his bona fides as one of the leading conservative voices of the time. Indeed, the leap to California governor in 1966 seemed almost preordained, in which Reagan became a bellwether for a nation in the throes of a generational shift. Reagan's 1980 presidential election augured a shift that continues into this century. Boot writes not as a partisan but as a historian seeking to set the story straight. He explains how Reagan was an ideologue but also a supreme pragmatist who signed pro-abortion and gun control bills as governor, cut deals with Democrats in both Sacramento and Washington, and befriended Mikhail Gorbachev to end the Cold War. A master communicator, Reagan revived America's spirits after the traumas of Vietnam and Watergate. But Boot also shows how Reagan was armored in obliviousness. He traces Reagan's opposition to civil rights over forty years, reveals how he neglected the exploding AIDS epidemic, and details how America experienced a level of income inequality not seen since the Gilded Age. LA 1917

The John Batchelor Show
HOW WOULD FREE TRADER REAGAN RECOGNIZE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION? 2/8 Reagan: His Life and Legend Hardcover – September 10, 2024 by Max Boot (Author) 1983 Afghanistan https://www.amazon.com/Reagan-Life-Legend-Max-Boot/dp/0871409445 The story begi

The John Batchelor Show

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2025 8:04


HOW WOULD FREE TRADER REAGAN RECOGNIZE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION?  2/8 Reagan: His Life and Legend Hardcover – September 10, 2024 by  Max Boot  (Author) 1983 Afghanistan https://www.amazon.com/Reagan-Life-Legend-Max-Boot/dp/0871409445 The story begins not in star-studded Hollywood but in the cradle of the Midwest, small-town Illinois, where Reagan was born in 1911 to Nelle Clyde Wilson, a devoted Disciples of Christ believer, and Jack Reagan, a struggling, alcoholic salesman. Boot vividly creates a portrait of a handsome young man, indeed a much-vaunted lifeguard, whose early successes mirrored those of Horatio Alger. And contextualizing Reagan's life against American history, Boot re-creates the world in which Reagan transitioned from local Iowa sportscaster to budding screen actor. The world of Hollywood from the 1930s to the 1950s would prove significant, not only in Reagan's coming-of-age in such classics as Knute Rockne and Kings Row but during the twilight of his film career, when he played opposite a chimpanzee in Bedtime for Bonzo, and then his eventual emergence as a television host of General Electric Theater, which established his bona fides as one of the leading conservative voices of the time. Indeed, the leap to California governor in 1966 seemed almost preordained, in which Reagan became a bellwether for a nation in the throes of a generational shift. Reagan's 1980 presidential election augured a shift that continues into this century. Boot writes not as a partisan but as a historian seeking to set the story straight. He explains how Reagan was an ideologue but also a supreme pragmatist who signed pro-abortion and gun control bills as governor, cut deals with Democrats in both Sacramento and Washington, and befriended Mikhail Gorbachev to end the Cold War. A master communicator, Reagan revived America's spirits after the traumas of Vietnam and Watergate. But Boot also shows how Reagan was armored in obliviousness. He traces Reagan's opposition to civil rights over forty years, reveals how he neglected the exploding AIDS epidemic, and details how America experienced a level of income inequality not seen since the Gilded Age. PASADENA 1920

The John Batchelor Show
HOW WOULD FREE TRADER REAGAN RECOGNIZE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION? 3/8 Reagan: His Life and Legend Hardcover – September 10, 2024 by Max Boot (Author) https://www.amazon.com/Reagan-Life-Legend-Max-Boot/dp/0871409445 The story begins not in star-stu

The John Batchelor Show

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2025 10:17


HOW WOULD FREE TRADER REAGAN RECOGNIZE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION?  3/8 Reagan: His Life and Legend Hardcover – September 10, 2024 by  Max Boot  (Author) https://www.amazon.com/Reagan-Life-Legend-Max-Boot/dp/0871409445 The story begins not in star-studded Hollywood but in the cradle of the Midwest, small-town Illinois, where Reagan was born in 1911 to Nelle Clyde Wilson, a devoted Disciples of Christ believer, and Jack Reagan, a struggling, alcoholic salesman. Boot vividly creates a portrait of a handsome young man, indeed a much-vaunted lifeguard, whose early successes mirrored those of Horatio Alger. And contextualizing Reagan's life against American history, Boot re-creates the world in which Reagan transitioned from local Iowa sportscaster to budding screen actor. The world of Hollywood from the 1930s to the 1950s would prove significant, not only in Reagan's coming-of-age in such classics as Knute Rockne and Kings Row but during the twilight of his film career, when he played opposite a chimpanzee in Bedtime for Bonzo, and then his eventual emergence as a television host of General Electric Theater, which established his bona fides as one of the leading conservative voices of the time. Indeed, the leap to California governor in 1966 seemed almost preordained, in which Reagan became a bellwether for a nation in the throes of a generational shift. Reagan's 1980 presidential election augured a shift that continues into this century. Boot writes not as a partisan but as a historian seeking to set the story straight. He explains how Reagan was an ideologue but also a supreme pragmatist who signed pro-abortion and gun control bills as governor, cut deals with Democrats in both Sacramento and Washington, and befriended Mikhail Gorbachev to end the Cold War. A master communicator, Reagan revived America's spirits after the traumas of Vietnam and Watergate. But Boot also shows how Reagan was armored in obliviousness. He traces Reagan's opposition to civil rights over forty years, reveals how he neglected the exploding AIDS epidemic, and details how America experienced a level of income inequality not seen since the Gilded Age. SAN DIEGO 1920

The John Batchelor Show
HOW WOULD FREE TRADER REAGAN RECOGNIZE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION? 4/8 Reagan: His Life and Legend Hardcover – September 10, 2024 by Max Boot (Author) https://www.amazon.com/Reagan-Life-Legend-Max-Boot/dp/0871409445 The story begins not in star-stud

The John Batchelor Show

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2025 9:14


HOW WOULD FREE TRADER REAGAN RECOGNIZE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION? 4/8 Reagan: His Life and Legend Hardcover – September 10, 2024 by  Max Boot  (Author) https://www.amazon.com/Reagan-Life-Legend-Max-Boot/dp/0871409445 The story begins not in star-studded Hollywood but in the cradle of the Midwest, small-town Illinois, where Reagan was born in 1911 to Nelle Clyde Wilson, a devoted Disciples of Christ believer, and Jack Reagan, a struggling, alcoholic salesman. Boot vividly creates a portrait of a handsome young man, indeed a much-vaunted lifeguard, whose early successes mirrored those of Horatio Alger. And contextualizing Reagan's life against American history, Boot re-creates the world in which Reagan transitioned from local Iowa sportscaster to budding screen actor. The world of Hollywood from the 1930s to the 1950s would prove significant, not only in Reagan's coming-of-age in such classics as Knute Rockne and Kings Row but during the twilight of his film career, when he played opposite a chimpanzee in Bedtime for Bonzo, and then his eventual emergence as a television host of General Electric Theater, which established his bona fides as one of the leading conservative voices of the time. Indeed, the leap to California governor in 1966 seemed almost preordained, in which Reagan became a bellwether for a nation in the throes of a generational shift. Reagan's 1980 presidential election augured a shift that continues into this century. Boot writes not as a partisan but as a historian seeking to set the story straight. He explains how Reagan was an ideologue but also a supreme pragmatist who signed pro-abortion and gun control bills as governor, cut deals with Democrats in both Sacramento and Washington, and befriended Mikhail Gorbachev to end the Cold War. A master communicator, Reagan revived America's spirits after the traumas of Vietnam and Watergate. But Boot also shows how Reagan was armored in obliviousness. He traces Reagan's opposition to civil rights over forty years, reveals how he neglected the exploding AIDS epidemic, and details how America experienced a level of income inequality not seen since the Gilded Age. SANTA  BARBARA 1903

The John Batchelor Show
HOW WOULD FREE TRADER REAGAN RECOGNIZE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION? 5/8 Reagan: His Life and Legend Hardcover – September 10, 2024 by Max Boot (Author) https://www.amazon.com/Reagan-Life-Legend-Max-Boot/dp/0871409445 The story begins not in star-stud

The John Batchelor Show

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2025 9:17


HOW WOULD FREE TRADER REAGAN RECOGNIZE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION? 5/8 Reagan: His Life and Legend Hardcover – September 10, 2024 by  Max Boot  (Author) https://www.amazon.com/Reagan-Life-Legend-Max-Boot/dp/0871409445 The story begins not in star-studded Hollywood but in the cradle of the Midwest, small-town Illinois, where Reagan was born in 1911 to Nelle Clyde Wilson, a devoted Disciples of Christ believer, and Jack Reagan, a struggling, alcoholic salesman. Boot vividly creates a portrait of a handsome young man, indeed a much-vaunted lifeguard, whose early successes mirrored those of Horatio Alger. And contextualizing Reagan's life against American history, Boot re-creates the world in which Reagan transitioned from local Iowa sportscaster to budding screen actor. The world of Hollywood from the 1930s to the 1950s would prove significant, not only in Reagan's coming-of-age in such classics as Knute Rockne and Kings Row but during the twilight of his film career, when he played opposite a chimpanzee in Bedtime for Bonzo, and then his eventual emergence as a television host of General Electric Theater, which established his bona fides as one of the leading conservative voices of the time. Indeed, the leap to California governor in 1966 seemed almost preordained, in which Reagan became a bellwether for a nation in the throes of a generational shift. Reagan's 1980 presidential election augured a shift that continues into this century. Boot writes not as a partisan but as a historian seeking to set the story straight. He explains how Reagan was an ideologue but also a supreme pragmatist who signed pro-abortion and gun control bills as governor, cut deals with Democrats in both Sacramento and Washington, and befriended Mikhail Gorbachev to end the Cold War. A master communicator, Reagan revived America's spirits after the traumas of Vietnam and Watergate. But Boot also shows how Reagan was armored in obliviousness. He traces Reagan's opposition to civil rights over forty years, reve1920 PALISADE CANYONals how he neglected the exploding AIDS epidemic, and details how America experienced a level of income inequality not seen since the Gilded Age. LA 1917

The John Batchelor Show
HOW WOULD FREE TRADER REAGAN RECOGNIZE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION? 6/8 Reagan: His Life and Legend Hardcover – September 10, 2024 by Max Boot (Author) https://www.amazon.com/Reagan-Life-Legend-Max-Boot/dp/0871409445 The story begins not in star-stud

The John Batchelor Show

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2025 8:23


HOW WOULD FREE TRADER REAGAN RECOGNIZE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION? 6/8 Reagan: His Life and Legend Hardcover – September 10, 2024 by  Max Boot  (Author) https://www.amazon.com/Reagan-Life-Legend-Max-Boot/dp/0871409445 The story begins not in star-studded Hollywood but in the cradle of the Midwest, small-town Illinois, where Reagan was born in 1911 to Nelle Clyde Wilson, a devoted Disciples of Christ believer, and Jack Reagan, a struggling, alcoholic salesman. Boot vividly creates a portrait of a handsome young man, indeed a much-vaunted lifeguard, whose early successes mirrored those of Horatio Alger. And contextualizing Reagan's life against American history, Boot re-creates the world in which Reagan transitioned from local Iowa sportscaster to budding screen actor. The world of Hollywood from the 1930s to the 1950s would prove significant, not only in Reagan's coming-of-age in such classics as Knute Rockne and Kings Row but during the twilight of his film career, when he played opposite a chimpanzee in Bedtime for Bonzo, and then his eventual emergence as a television host of General Electric Theater, which established his bona fides as one of the leading conservative voices of the time. Indeed, the leap to California governor in 1966 seemed almost preordained, in which Reagan became a bellwether for a nation in the throes of a generational shift. Reagan's 1980 presidential election augured a shift that continues into this century. Boot writes not as a partisan but as a historian seeking to set the story straight. He explains how Reagan was an ideologue but also a supreme pragmatist who signed pro-abortion and gun control bills as governor, cut deals with Democrats in both Sacramento and Washington, and befriended Mikhail Gorbachev to end the Cold War. A master communicator, Reagan revived America's spirits after the traumas of Vietnam and Watergate. But Boot also shows how Reagan was armored in obliviousness. He traces Reagan's opposition to civil rights over forty years, reveals how he neglected the exploding AIDS epidemic, and details how America experienced a level of income inequality not seen since the Gilded Age. 1940 PALISADE 

The John Batchelor Show
HOW WOULD FREE TRADER REAGAN RECOGNIZE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION? 7/8 Reagan: His Life and Legend Hardcover – September 10, 2024 by Max Boot (Author) https://www.amazon.com/Reagan-Life-Legend-Max-Boot/dp/0871409445 The story begins not in star-stud

The John Batchelor Show

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2025 10:59


HOW WOULD FREE TRADER REAGAN RECOGNIZE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION? 7/8 Reagan: His Life and Legend Hardcover – September 10, 2024 by  Max Boot  (Author) https://www.amazon.com/Reagan-Life-Legend-Max-Boot/dp/0871409445 The story begins not in star-studded Hollywood but in the cradle of the Midwest, small-town Illinois, where Reagan was born in 1911 to Nelle Clyde Wilson, a devoted Disciples of Christ believer, and Jack Reagan, a struggling, alcoholic salesman. Boot vividly creates a portrait of a handsome young man, indeed a much-vaunted lifeguard, whose early successes mirrored those of Horatio Alger. And contextualizing Reagan's life against American history, Boot re-creates the world in which Reagan transitioned from local Iowa sportscaster to budding screen actor. The world of Hollywood from the 1930s to the 1950s would prove significant, not only in Reagan's coming-of-age in such classics as Knute Rockne and Kings Row but during the twilight of his film career, when he played opposite a chimpanzee in Bedtime for Bonzo, and then his eventual emergence as a television host of General Electric Theater, which established his bona fides as one of the leading conservative voices of the time. Indeed, the leap to California governor in 1966 seemed almost preordained, in which Reagan became a bellwether for a nation in the throes of a generational shift. Reagan's 1980 presidential election augured a shift that continues into this century. Boot writes not as a partisan but as a historian seeking to set the story straight. He explains how Reagan was an ideologue but also a supreme pragmatist who signed pro-abortion and gun control bills as governor, cut deals with Democrats in both Sacramento and Washington, and befriended Mikhail Gorbachev to end the Cold War. A master communicator, Reagan revived America's spirits after the traumas of Vietnam and Watergate. But Boot also shows how Reagan was armored in obliviousness. He traces Reagan's opposition to civil rights over forty years, reveals how he neglected the exploding AIDS epidemic, and details how America experienced a level of income inequality not seen since the Gilded Age. 19$)

The John Batchelor Show
HOW WOULD FREE TRADER REAGAN RECOGNIZE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION? 8/8 Reagan: His Life and Legend Hardcover – September 10, 2024 by Max Boot (Author) https://www.amazon.com/Reagan-Life-Legend-Max-Boot/dp/0871409445 The story begins not in star-stud

The John Batchelor Show

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2025 8:31


HOW WOULD FREE TRADER REAGAN RECOGNIZE THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION? 8/8 Reagan: His Life and Legend Hardcover – September 10, 2024 by  Max Boot  (Author) https://www.amazon.com/Reagan-Life-Legend-Max-Boot/dp/0871409445 The story begins not in star-studded Hollywood but in the cradle of the Midwest, small-town Illinois, where Reagan was born in 1911 to Nelle Clyde Wilson, a devoted Disciples of Christ believer, and Jack Reagan, a struggling, alcoholic salesman. Boot vividly creates a portrait of a handsome young man, indeed a much-vaunted lifeguard, whose early successes mirrored those of Horatio Alger. And contextualizing Reagan's life against American history, Boot re-creates the world in which Reagan transitioned from local Iowa sportscaster to budding screen actor. The world of Hollywood from the 1930s to the 1950s would prove significant, not only in Reagan's coming-of-age in such classics as Knute Rockne and Kings Row but during the twilight of his film career, when he played opposite a chimpanzee in Bedtime for Bonzo, and then his eventual emergence as a television host of General Electric Theater, which established his bona fides as one of the leading conservative voices of the time. Indeed, the leap to California governor in 1966 seemed almost preordained, in which Reagan became a bellwether for a nation in the throes of a generational shift. Reagan's 1980 presidential election augured a shift that continues into this century. Boot writes not as a partisan but as a historian seeking to set the story straight. He explains how Reagan was an ideologue but also a supreme pragmatist who signed pro-abortion and gun control bills as governor, cut deals with Democrats in both Sacramento and Washington, and befriended Mikhail Gorbachev to end the Cold War. A master communicator, Reagan revived America's spirits after the traumas of Vietnam and Watergate. But Boot also shows how Reagan was armored in obliviousness. He traces Reagan's opposition to civil rights over forty years, reveals how he neglected the exploding AIDS epidemic, and details how America experienced a level of income inequality not seen since the Gilded Age. 1904 SAN JOSE

The John Batchelor Show
Preview: Author Max Boot, "Reagan His Life and Legend," reports on the bad patch in Hollywood when divorced Reagan drifted into libertinism. More later.

The John Batchelor Show

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2025 1:18


Preview: Author Max Boot, "Reagan His Life and Legend," reports on the bad patch in H1945 west hollywoodollywood when divorced Reagan drifted into libertinism. More later.

The John Batchelor Show
Preview: Author Max Boot, "Reagan His Life and Legend," reports the self-worth teenaged lifeguard Reagan gained by rescuing perhaps 75 swimmers. More later.

The John Batchelor Show

Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2025 1:41


Preview: Author Max Boot, "Reagan His Life and Legend," reports the self-worth teenaged lifeguard Reagan gained by rescuing perhaps 75 swimmers. More later. 1980 DETROIT

Talking Feds
Trump's Disastrous Assault on U.S Soft Power

Talking Feds

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2025 24:32


Harry talks with Max Boot about his latest article, “US soft power took decades to build. Trump is dismantling it in weeks.” Boot explains the critical source of U.S. influence in the world, more than military might, is “soft power,” foreign aid and other far-seeing acts of altruism for people around the world. Soft power is the key to the country's diplomatic, commercial, and cultural success. It was built up painstakingly over decades with programs like the Marshall Plan and in 3 short weeks Trump has taken a battering ram to it, acutely harming our international standing. Allies such as Canada are perplexed at the U.S.'s bullying tactics, and people around the world dependent on U.S. aid have been gravely harmed. The chief beneficiary of this short-sighted abandonment of longstanding U.S. policy is China, which will aim to fill the void left by the end of U.S. aid programs. Boot concludes, “[i]t is staggering to see how much damage Trump has done to U.S. soft power in just two weeks and painful to imagine how much ore he could do in the next 206 weeks.”See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Deep State Radio
FTA: Global Risks in the Time of Speaker McCarthy

Deep State Radio

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2025 46:53


Original air date: January 10, 2023 While there is chaos in the U.S. House of Representatives, there are real threats looming in the background. David Rothkopf talks about those threats with Max Boot of the Washington Post and Rosa Brooks of Georgetown University. How should the U.S. support Taiwan in the coming months? Is China likely to invade? What connects the riots in Brazil to January 6th? Find out during this enlightening conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reading Glasses
Ep 395 - Tracking Your Reading with Traci Thomas!

Reading Glasses

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2025 54:55


Brea and Mallory discuss how they're tracking their reading in 2025, and solve a reader problem about a little free library. And they do it all with special in-studio guest, Traci Thomas from The Stacks podcast! Email us at readingglassespodcast at gmail dot com!Reading Glasses MerchRecommendations StoreLinks -Reading Glasses Facebook GroupReading Glasses Goodreads GroupAmazon Wish ListNewsletterLibro.fmThe Stacks PodcastTraci's PatreonTo join our Slack channel, email us proof of your Reading-Glasses-supporting Maximum Fun membership!Pre Order Daughter of Daring!The No Pressure Book JournalBrea and Mallory's LA Launch EventBooks Mentioned - The Survivalists by Kashana CauleyUnsettled Ground by Claire FullerPure Innocent Fun by Ira Madison IIIAlligator Tears by Edgar GomezReagan by Max Boot