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Rawhide Down: The Near Assassination of Ronald Reagan Audiobook
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(4.00) - 843 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
A Washington Post Notable Nonfiction Book for 2011
On March 30, 1981, President Reagan walked out of a hotel in Washington, D.C. and was shot by a would-be assassin. For years, few people knew the truth about how close the president came to dying, and no one has ever written a detailed narrative of that harrowing day. Now, drawing on exclusive new interviews, Del Quentin Wilber tells the electrifying story of a moment when the nation teetered on the brink of chaos. With cinematic clarity, we see the Secret Service agent whose fast reflexes saved the president's life; the brilliant surgeon who operated on Reagan as he was losing half his blood; and the small group of White House officials frantically trying to determine whether the country was under attack. Most especially, we encounter the man code-named Rawhide, a leader of uncommon grace who inspired affection and awe in everyone who worked with him.
Reagan was the only serving U.S. president to survive being shot in an assassination attempt. In Rawhide Down, the story of that perilous day--a day of chaos, crisis, prayer, heroism and hope--is brought to life as never before.
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"It feels a bit strange to read a history book that I have lived through, but heck, I'm almost 40 so guess it shouldn't. Since I was only a kid when Reagan was shot, it was very interesting to read about all of the details of that day. It brought back vague memories and grounded them in historical fact. Wiber's recounting moves fast and reads like a fiction plot. Very well done."
— Matt (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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The reporting is presented with precision and authority by Jason Culp. For the most part, his reading has few vocal characterizations, but the brief direct quotes from Reagan are delivered spot-on. Culp's voice is easygoing and warm, and surprisingly, those characteristics are at their most gripping in the chapters that address the president's initial care at George Washington University Hospital.
— AudioFile Magazine
Rawhide Down Listener Reviews
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" Interesting read. Tons of information not released to the public at the time of the assassination. "
— Sally, 2/19/2014 -
" I just read this last week when I was on my cruise. It was really good! I enjoyed getting a behind the scenes look at how the Secret Service works. I wish it hadn't ended so abruptly, I felt it could have gone into a bit more detail at the end. But it was definitely worth reading! "
— Kristen, 2/9/2014 -
" I really enjoyed this book as someone who worked in DC the last several years. I obviously knew the story of the attack on Reagan, but the author did an excellent job filling on the details. "
— Mark, 1/31/2014 -
" Very interesting. I love well written history that makes events come alive. I recommend it. "
— Scott, 1/25/2014 -
" Fascinating to get the "whole" story. I love Ronald Reagan! "
— Lisa, 1/24/2014 -
" I have a new appreciation for the courage of Ronald Reagan after reading this (I know my wife will love to hear that!)...A thrilling account of this near tragedy! "
— Jon, 1/22/2014 -
" This was a great book! I really learned a ton about something I knew nothing about in the first place. The way it was written made it interesting. I wasn't bored learning facts at all. Really recommend it for anyone trying to learn more about Reagan. "
— Laurie, 12/28/2013 -
" I enjoyed this book - never knew all the details of the assassination attempt.. "
— Laurene, 12/15/2013 -
" I found this book fascinating! To read the accounts of everyday citizens called upon to do their normal work on an extraordinary patient was really interesting. I've always loved President Reagan but after this book I find him even more charming. Great book about a slice in our American history. "
— Christine, 12/6/2013 -
" An interesting behind the scenes look on what happened the day the president was shot. "
— Stephkc, 11/12/2013 -
" Very interesting book! I read it in two days...could not put it down. I was 13 and remember that day so vividly. It was fascinating to read all the details behind the real story! "
— Melissa, 11/11/2013 -
" This is a good read about the attempt on Reagan's life - some information seems new, and the retelling of the story I witnessed in the media at the time is heightened with the passing of time. "
— Tom, 11/6/2013 -
" Great book! Loved the background information. Ronald Reagan was a classy guy. Wish we had more presidents like him! "
— Kathy, 10/16/2012 -
" Having been a Thoracic Surgeon, t is quite scary to hear the lay-person's description (a very careful and painstakingly accurate one) of what happened with this nutmeg Hinckley. Reagan was agonizingly close to death! The Secret Service and GW's Surgical team did an AMAZING job!! "
— Rob, 9/26/2012 -
" Fast, great read, and felt like it ended too soon. Very well written, providing a lot of insight into some of the people's personalities that I didn't get as a kid in the 80s. "
— Steve, 8/18/2012 -
" My dad gave me this to read, and I ended up enjoying it more than I expected. "
— Carrie, 4/7/2012 -
" Excellent book. Reads more like an action novel than a historical non-fiction account of the assassination attempt on President Reagan. Thoroughly enjoyed reading the book. "
— Julie, 10/9/2011 -
" Very eye opening look into the day Reagan was shot. Well written, easy read about my most favorite president. "
— Jennifer, 8/31/2011 -
" Fantastic. Couldn't put it down. "
— Anna, 7/30/2011 -
" Worth the read. Lots of action and consistent, fast-paced narrative. Learned something new (multiple things) after reading this book. "
— Bobby, 4/28/2011 -
" I thought this book was interesting because I didn't know anything about the near assassination before I read this, and I learned a lot. But sometimes there was so much detail that it was hard to keep my full attention. Also, there were several F-words. I didn't appreciate that. "
— Ashley, 4/28/2011
About Del Quentin Wilber
Del Quentin Wilber is the New York Times bestselling author of Rawhide Down, an account of the attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan. An award-winning reporter who previously worked for the Baltimore Sun and Washington Post, he covers the justice department for the Los Angeles Times.
About Jason Culp
Jason Culp, an Earphones Award–winning narrator, has been acting since the age of ten, and his credits include a variety of television, theater, and film roles. He is best known for his role as Julian Jerome on General Hospital. In addition to audiobooks and voice-over work in national commercials, he has also narrated documentaries for National Geographic and the History Channel.