Podcast appearances and mentions of Max Boot

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.

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 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 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.

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 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.

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 "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.

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

Hoe leren apen naar voedsel zoeken? Die vraag stelt prof. Karline Janmaat, hoogleraar cognitieve gedragsecologie. Normaal bestudeer je daarvoor apen in het wild, maar Karline doet dit ook in Artis! Hoe moet je voedselzoek-gedrag in de dierentuin onderzoeken, waar apen niet naar eten hoeven te zoeken? Antwoord: met een virtueel bos. In deze aflevering bespreken Karline Janmaat en Max Boot de resultaten van hun onderzoek met touchscreens en voedselpuzzels, wat de apen daar zelf van vonden, en staan we stil bij het ZOOlogy congres in Artis eind december.

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

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

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

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

Deze zomer is er hopelijk genoeg tijd om uit te puffen en op te laden voor een spannend politiek najaar. Jaap Jansen en PG Kroeger dienen je geestelijke vitaminen toe om er straks vol inspiratie en nieuwe energie weer tegenaan te gaan! *** Op 21 september live in Het Concertgebouw! Betrouwbare Bronnen: muziek en tirannie. Kom ook! Deze aflevering is mede mogelijk gemaakt met donaties van luisteraars die we hiervoor hartelijk danken. Word ook vriend van de show! Heb je belangstelling om in onze podcast te adverteren of ons te sponsoren? Zend een mailtje naar adverteren@dagennacht.nl en wij zoeken contact *** 1] Adolf Hitler – Mein Kampf (1925) / Mijn Strijd (Prometheus, 2018) Het eerste boek is honderd jaar oud. En het is echt heel slecht geschreven, vond ook de Italiaanse journalist Benito Mussolini. Maar Mein Kampf is opnieuw actueel. De wordingsgeschiedenis, de titel, het verdienmodel en de worstelingen ermee na 1945 zijn een boek op zichzelf waard. Zonder de Britse sociaal-darwinistische schrijver Houston Stewart Chamberlain was het boek er nooit gekomen. Zijn schoonfamilie regelde zelfs dat Hitler in de cel het schrijfpapier ervoor kreeg. Jaap en PG duiken in diens merkwaardige leven, werk, netwerk en impact rond 1900 en in diens hysterische verering voor de jonge Führer. 2] Benjamin Duerr – De Droom van Den Haag (Atlas Contact, 2024) Het tweede boek gaat over de dromen van wereldvrede rond 1900 en de unieke rol daarin van Den Haag. Het begon met een jonge tsaar die zichzelf een vredesvorst waande. Zijn ministers hadden heel nuchtere, geopolitieke argumenten om decennia geen oorlogen te willen. Zijn nichtje, de net ingehuldigde koningin Wilhelmina, vond dat mystieke pacifisme maar lariekoek. Haar minister Willem Hendrik de Beaufort zat klem tussen deze twee Romanovs. Tegen vele klippen op kwamen er twee vredesconferenties op rij en Den Haag werd juist vanwege de saaiheid opvolger van Wenen 1814-1815. Niet alleen de tsaar spande zich in. Ook president Roosevelt van Amerika, zeker nadat hij een Nobelprijs kreeg voor vrede tussen militaristisch opkomend Japan en de door hen de verwoestend verslagen Russen. Die conferenties bleken verrassend productief. Het Vredespaleis kwam er. En nieuwe regels voor oorlogsrecht. 3] Sergey Radchenko – To run the world, the Kremlin’s Cold War bid for global power (Cambridge, 2024) De tsaar snakte naar vrede, maar hoe zat dat na zijn ondergang met de heersers in het Kremlin? Sergey vertelt het fascinerende verhaal van de ambities van de Sovjet-Unie en haar leiders na 1945. Over honger naar erkenning door Amerika, over de obsessie met Mao en Deng en over vrede met West-Duitsland om de EEG te breken. Het boek put uit vele archieven en inzichten die hier in het Westen nooit bekend waren. To run the world is ook een boek over duo's: rivalen die partners wilden zijn. Stalin en FDR. Mao en Chroesjtsjov. Chroesjtsjov en JFK. En vooral Nixon en Brezjnev. Met als apotheose hoe Reagan er in slaagde met Gorbatsjov aan de pretentie van zulke duo's een eind te maken en hoe Deng daar het meest van profiteerde. 4] Max Boot – Reagan, his Life and Legend (Liveright, 2024) Dit boek werpt nieuw licht op de oud-president van de VS. Een noodzakelijke biografie. Want in dit post-Reagantijdperk in Amerika en zijn Republikeinse partij is een nieuwe, gedistantieerde kijk op zijn betekenis en leven zeer welkom. “Mister Norm is my alias”, zei de man die voor iedereen óók een ster was met aantrekkingskracht uit de gouden jaren van Hollywood. Niemand kende hem daarom echt, op zijn Nancy na. Hij had politiek succes doordat hij uitermate pragmatisch was, verliezen kon slikken en toch als held van hoge principes en idealisme kon blijven stralen. Zo kon hij bijna moeiteloos het Kremlin als 'the Evil Empire' beschimpen en met Moskou samen de voorraad kernraketten fors verminderen, terwijl hij eveneens hightech fantasieën uit zijn oude films werkelijkheid wilde laten worden. Ook hier realist, pragmaticus en visionair tegelijk: “Trust, but verify!” Zijn verbindende warme stijl en zijn aura van idealisme zorgden ervoor dat hij beginselen als vrijhandel, kansen voor vluchtelingen en immigranten en respect voor bondgenoten glans gaf. In het Trump-tijdperk lijkt Reagan inmiddels iemand uit een vergeten verleden. 5] Anne Somerset – Queen Victoria and Her Prime Ministers (William Collins, 2024) Meer dan zestig jaar wereldmacht, dynastie, intriges en een flamboyant karakter. ‘She reigns but does not rule’ was volgens Anne Somerset een fraaie verpakking voor heel veel complexe en soms heftige politieke toestanden. Ze versleet maar liefst tien premiers. Ze verfoeide Lord Palmerston - die haar manipuleerde - en William Gladstone nog meer. Ze was dol op haar leermeester, ‘Lord M’, en nog meer op 'mijn coauteur' Benjamin Disraeli. Zij manipuleerden elkaar en genoten er schaamteloos van. Ten diepste was de vorstin gewoon dol op politiek, hoe zwaar ze tegen die heren ook zuchtte en klaagde. Somerset toont nog iets. Victoria was buitengewoon toegewijd. Van haar man, 'darling Albert', keek ze af hoe je focust op de essentie, daarbij desnoods koppig bent en ministers te overrompelt met visies en memo's die al klaar lagen voordat die een probleem zagen aankomen. 6] Jasper Dekker, Alexander van Kessel en Afke Groen (red.) – De minister-president, een ambt in ontwikkeling (Boom, 2025) Buitengewoon instructief is de analyse door Jelle Gaemers van de effectiviteit van Willem Drees als minister president. Voor de opvolger van Dick Schoof essentiële, onmisbare lectuur. Ook de gedurfde poging door Ronald Kroeze tot een eerste summa van veertien jaar premier Mark Rutte maakt de bundel de moeite waard. Op de gedachte dat Rutte wel degelijk visie had, maar deze liefst verborg omwille van het VVD-belang, kan nog wel een tijdje gekauwd worden. 7] Thomas Mann – Achtung Europa! Een eigentijdse waarschuwing (Arbeiderspers, 2025) Thomas Mann - favoriet van Mark Rutte - is 150 jaar geleden geboren. Zijn furieus, literair briljant verzet tegen die auteur van Mein Kampf trekt aandacht, mede dankzij de eerste Nederlandse vertaling van zijn bundel Achtung Europa!. Voortreffelijk hoe Arnon Grunberg daarbij ook de eigenaardigheden van de grote schrijver niet veronachtzaamt. PG haalt nog iets erbij: de eerste druk uit 1938 uit zijn persoonlijke collectie. En nóg zo'n letterkundig juweel, want deze nieuwe vertaling biedt meer voor de lezer - zelfs nu nog - en dat komt uit een ander boek van Thomas Mann. Meest verbluffend is hoe Mann zich durft te verdiepen in en vereenzelvigen met Adolf Hitler. Zag deze zich niet vooral ook als een kunstenaar, een bohemien? Zat in niet elke artistieke geest wat vertekend en duivels verziekt in deze politieke extremist zit? Geen tijdgenoot heeft zo briljant, zo ijskoud en ook zelfkritisch durven kijken naar 'Broeder Hitler', de tiran als verwante ziel. En wat verbindt Victoria, Mann, Rutte, Stalin en Hitler? Operaliefde. In het bijzonder het werk van Richard Wagner. *** Verder luisteren 1] 478 - Was Hitler een socialist? 105 - 75 jaar bevrijding: Dagelijks leven in Nazi-Duitsland 341 - Oplichterij, kunstmatige intelligentie en de dagboeken van Hitler 2] 508 – De NAVO-top in Den Haag moet de onvoorspelbare Trump vooral niet gaan vervelen 481 - Donald Trumps nieuwe idool William McKinley, ‘de tarievenkoning’ 342 - Willem-Alexander en het einde van de monarchie. Plus: zijn eigenzinnige voorgangers 3] 258 - De kille vriendschap tussen Rusland en China 163 - De ondergang van de Sovjet-Unie: hoe een wereldmacht verdampte 298 - De Cubacrisis, dertien dagen die de wereld schokten. En: de angst voor nucleaire catastrofe nu 4] 133 - Amerikaanse presidenten: boeken die je volgens PG móet lezen! 44 - Franklin D. Roosevelt 93 - Hoe Gorbatsjov en het Sovjet-imperium ten onder gingen 5] 303 - Bijzondere Britse premiers 6 - Pim Waldeck over 'die gekke Britten'- Paul Rem over The Queen 99 - PG over de biografie van Prince Albert 6] 472 - Winterboekeneditie - Premiers, Leiderschap, Macht 448 - Premier zonder kompas 443 – Negen premiers en een explosief Oranjehuis 274 - Thorbecke, denker en doener 7] 148 - Stefan Zweig als inspirator van Europa als culturele en politieke gemeenschap 208 - Max Weber: wetenschap als beroep en politiek als beroep 387 - Niets is zó politiek als opera - 100 jaar Maria Callas *** Tijdlijn 00:00:00 – Deel 1 00:52:09 – Deel 2 01:30:00 – Deel 3 02:18:00 – EindeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

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.

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 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

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. 

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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 

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$)

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

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.

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

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

Pulitzer Prize finalist and esteemed historian Max Boot joins Between the Covers to delve into his acclaimed biography "Reagan: His Life and Legend", named one of The New York Times' Top 10 Books of 2024. In this compelling conversation, Boot offers a deeply balanced portrait of Ronald Reagan—a president celebrated for restoring American optimism but also criticized for controversial decisions on civil rights and the AIDS crisis.Host Anne Bocock guides a thoughtful discussion on Reagan's biggest achievements, including ending the Cold War and revitalizing the American spirit, while also examining his political contradictions and complex personal legacy. Boot also reveals behind-the-scenes stories from his decade-long research journey, including interviews with Reagan's closest allies—many of whom are no longer with us.From Reagan's charisma and communication mastery to his policy missteps and long-lasting influence on today's polarized politics, this episode is essential listening for anyone seeking to understand one of America's most consequential presidents through a modern lens.

Send us a textThe American POTUS podcast is a 501c3 non-profit show, supported by listener patriots like you. To help us keep the program going, please join others around the nation by considering a tax-deductible donation. You can make your contribution and see what exciting plans we have for new podcasts and other outreach programs, at AmericanPOTUS.org. Thank You for your support and we hope you enjoy this episode. Support the showPlease consider a tax-deductible donation to support this podcast by visiting AmericanPOTUS.org. Thank You!

In this episode, Michael Krasny sits down with political commentator and Washington Post columnist Max Boot for a wide-ranging discussion on contemporary American politics, international relations, and the evolving media landscape. Their conversation spans from immediate concerns about editorial independence to broader historical comparisons between presidential administrations and their foreign policy approaches.The episode began with a question from Krasny to Boot about the Washington Post's future editorials in light of the Jeff Bezos-ordered changes. It proceeded to a full discussion of the Reagan and Trump presidencies, Trump's attitudes toward Zelensky and Putin, and the present shift in relations between the U.S., its allies, and the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.Questions emerged about China and Taiwan and the South China Sea; tests for presidents before assuming office; the inconsistent and mercurial nature of the presidency; and the influence of Ronald Reagan on fake news. The discussion also touched on Reagan and Trump's belief in divine intervention.Krasny told a funny story about Reagan and a Lebanese ambassador, while Boot spoke of social media regulation and editorial boundaries. Krasny then brought up the difference in cruelty between Reagan and Trump.The two concluded by discussing when the Russia-Ukraine war might end, Russian war crimes, and the economic views of Reagan and Trump. They also explored Boot's own political shift from the right, Musk and Vance's support for AfD in Germany, and where hope for the future may reside.

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.

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

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

#CEASEFIRE: WHY FOR HEZBOLLAH AND NOT FOR HAMAS? Max Boot, Washington Post. Malcolm Hoenlein @Conf_of_pres @mhoenlein1 1850-1900 Jerusalem

5/8 Reagan: His Life and Legend Hardcover – September 10, 2024  by  Max Boot  (Author) 1981 Inauguration 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. With its revelatory insights, Reagan: His Life and Legend is no apologia, depicting a man with a good-versus-evil worldview derived from his moralistic upbringing and Hollywood westerns. Providing fresh examinations of “trickle-down economics,” the Cold War's end, the Iran-Contra affair, as well as a nuanced portrait of Reagan's family, this definitive biography is as compelling a presidential biography as any in recent decades.

6/8 Reagan: His Life and Legend Hardcover – September 10, 2024  by  Max Boot  (Author)  1981 Inauguration Speech 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. With its revelatory insights, Reagan: His Life and Legend is no apologia, depicting a man with a good-versus-evil worldview derived from his moralistic upbringing and Hollywood westerns. Providing fresh examinations of “trickle-down economics,” the Cold War's end, the Iran-Contra affair, as well as a nuanced portrait of Reagan's family, this definitive biography is as compelling a presidential biography as any in recent decades.

7/8 Reagan: His Life and Legend Hardcover – September 10, 2024  by  Max Boot  (Author) March 1981, the shooting 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. With its revelatory insights, Reagan: His Life and Legend is no apologia, depicting a man with a good-versus-evil worldview derived from his moralistic upbringing and Hollywood westerns. Providing fresh examinations of “trickle-down economics,” the Cold War's end, the Iran-Contra affair, as well as a nuanced portrait of Reagan's family, this definitive biography is as compelling a presidential biography as any in recent decades.

8/8 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. With its revelatory insights, Reagan: His Life and Legend is no apologia, depicting a man with a good-versus-evil worldview derived from his moralistic upbringing and Hollywood westerns. Providing fresh examinations of “trickle-down economics,” the Cold War's end, the Iran-Contra affair, as well as a nuanced portrait of Reagan's family, this definitive biography is as compelling a presidential biography as any in recent decades.

GOD EVENING: The show begins in the Key stone State as senator Bob Casey concedes defeat with Senator-Elect Dave McCormick... llentown, PA1912  CBS EYE ON THE WORLD WITH JOHN BATCHELOR FIRST HOUR 9:00-9:15: #KeystoneReport: Casey strikes out. Salena Zito, Middle of Somewhere, @DCExaminer Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, New York Post, SalenaZito.com 9:15-9:30: #CA: vs FL. Bill Whalen, Hoover Institution 9:30-9:45: #SmallBusinessAmerica: The approaching storm of tariffs. @GeneMarks @Guardian @PhillyInquirer 9:45-10:00: #SmallBusinessAmerica: Battle over WFH. @GeneMarks @Guardian @PhillyInquirer SECOND HOUR 10:00-10:15: #PacificWatch: #VegasReport: Formula 1 Weekend. @JCBliss 10:15-10:30: #Lancaster Report: Pancake Fair packed with holiday spirit. Jim McTague, former Washington Editor, Barron's. @MCTagueJ, Author of the "Martin and Twyla Boundary Series." #FriendsofHistoryDebatingSociety 10:30-10:45: #SpaceX: Making Brownsville a tourist destination. Bob Zimmerman, BehindtheBlack.com 10:45-11:00: #India: Teaming with Australia to recover spacecraft Gaganyaan. Bob Zimmerman, BehindtheBlack.com THIRD HOUR 11:00-11:15: Part 5/8: Reagan: His Life and Legend with Max Boot 11:15-11:30: Part 6/8: Reagan: His Life and Legend with Max Boot 11:30-11:45: Part 7/8: Reagan: His Life and Legend with Max Boot 11:45-12:00: Part 8/8: Reagan: His Life and Legend with Max Boot FOURTH HOUR 12:00-12:15: #Russia: Hybrid Provocations. Henry Sokolski, NPEC 12:15-12:30: #Italy: For voters escaping POTUS-elect, a village in Sardinia. Lorenzo Fiori, Milan 12:30-12:45: 1/2: #DOJ: Bondi, Gaetz, Garland. Richard Epstein, Hoover Institution 12:45-1:00 AM: 2/2: #DOJ: Bondi, Gaetz, Garland. Richard Epstein, Hoover Institution

Preview: Ronald Reagan: Soviet Union: Author Max Boot, "Reagan: His Life and Legend," speaks with George Shultz, the Reagan Administration Secretary of State, and asks if there was a plan to topple the Soviet empire. More tonight.   1928 Moscow

1/8 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. With its revelatory insights, Reagan: His Life and Legend is no apologia, depicting a man with a good-versus-evil worldview derived from his moralistic upbringing and Hollywood westerns. Providing fresh examinations of “trickle-down economics,” the Cold War's end, the Iran-Contra affair, as well as a nuanced portrait of Reagan's family, this definitive biography is as compelling a presidential biography as any in recent decades.

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. With its revelatory insights, Reagan: His Life and Legend is no apologia, depicting a man with a good-versus-evil worldview derived from his moralistic upbringing and Hollywood westerns. Providing fresh examinations of “trickle-down economics,” the Cold War's end, the Iran-Contra affair, as well as a nuanced portrait of Reagan's family, this definitive biography is as compelling a presidential biography as any in recent decades. 1944 Camp Wacky

PREVIEW: DIARY: Biographer Max Boot explores the parallel diaries kept by President Reagan and Nancy Reagan, detailed in "Reagan: His Life and Legend." More next week. 1976 Kansas City

PREVIEW: REAGAN: Continuing next week, biographer Max Boot discusses "Reagan: His Life and Legend" and Reagan's pivotal decision to seek the presidency again in 1980 at age 69.  1966 California

Max Boot is a historian, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, and a columnist for the Washington Post. Boot joins Preet to discuss his new book, Reagan: His Life and Legend, and how Reagan's presidency can help us understand the state of the Republican party today. Stay Tuned in Brief is presented by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network. Please write to us with your thoughts and questions at letters@cafe.com, or leave a voicemail at 669-247-7338. For analysis of recent legal news, join the CAFE Insider community. Head to cafe.com/insider to join for just $1 for the first month. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices