“I’ve spoken of the shining city all my political life, but I don’t know if I ever quite communicated what I saw when I said it. But in my mind it was a tall proud city built on rocks stronger than oceans, wind-swept, God-blessed, and teeming with people of all kinds living in harmony and peace, a city with free ports that hummed with commerce and creativity, and if there had to be city walls, the walls had doors and the doors were open to anyone with the will and the heart to get here. That’s how I saw it and see it still.
And how stands the city on this winter night? More prosperous, more secure, and happier than it was eight years ago. But more than that; after 200 years, two centuries, she still stands strong and true on the granite ridge, and her glow has held steady no matter what storm. And she’s still a beacon, still a magnet for all who must have freedom, for all the pilgrims from all the lost places who are hurtling through the darkness, toward home.”
-President Ronald Reagan’s farewell speech January 11, 1989
Over Spring Break, I really enjoyed the opportunity to read Peggy Noonan’s reflections on Ronald Reagan’s presidency in her book When Character Was King. I was a kid that grew up in the Reagan administration and have always thought the world of him as a leader. When President Reagan passed away 10 years ago, I watched his entire funeral and a lot of the news reports surrounding that time.
This book was a fascinating look into all things Reagan. Noonan did a fantastic job of chronicling Reagan’s family history, his time in Hollywood, both of his marriages, the transition to politics as a part of the actor’s union, and then his rise towards the presidency starting with his election as governor of California. She had a front row seat to President Reagan serving as a special assistant to him and also in her role as one of his speechwriters.
A couple of years ago, I read President Bush 43’s book Decision Points and found it to be a wonderful anthology to his thoughts and reflections from his own presidency. As a fan on President Bush, I really enjoyed this book and recommended it to several people. I feel the same way about When Character Was King.
Normally I read while I am highlighting and post several things that I highlighted. I read this book simply for enjoyment and didn’t highlight. I enjoyed the “conversation” and would definitely recommend this book to anyone that respects President Reagan or even more simply longs for a time when character will once again be restored to a place of importance in our society.