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The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism Audiobook
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(4.03) - 79 listener ratings
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Based on extraordinary research: a major reassessment of Ronald Reagan's lifelong crusade to dismantle the Soviet Empire–including shocking revelations about the liberal American politician who tried to collude with USSR to counter Reagan's efforts
Paul Kengor's God and Ronald Reagan made presidential historian Paul Kengor's name as one of the premier chroniclers of the life and career of the 40th president. Now, with The Crusader, Kengor returns with the one book about Reagan that has not been written: The story of his lifelong crusade against communism, and of his dogged–and ultimately triumphant–effort to overthrow the Soviet Union.
Drawing upon reams of newly declassified presidential papers, as well as untapped Soviet media archives and new interviews with key players, Kengor traces Reagan's efforts to target the Soviet Union from his days as governor of California to the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of what he famously dubbed the ""Evil Empire."" The result is a major revision and enhancement of what historians are only beginning to realize: That Reagan not only wished for the collapse of communism, but had a deep and specific understanding of what it would take––and effected dozens of policy shifts that brought the USSR to its heels within a decade of his presidency.
The Crusader makes use of key sources from behind the Iron Curtain, including one key memo that implicates a major American liberal politician–still in office today–in a scheme to enlist Soviet premier Yuri Andropov to help defeat Reagan's 1984 reelection bid. Such new finds make The Crusader not just a work of extraordinary history, but a work of explosive revelation that will be debated as hotly in 2006 as Reagan's policies were in the 1980s.
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"Excellent, easy read which describes how Reagan proactively went after the Soviet Communists early in his administration. The book tells a lot of what went on behind the scenes during the 80s, most of which no one ever realized or discussed since it was secret. Important book."
— Kent (5 out of 5 stars)
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“While many have tried, few have succeeded in telling such a complete and thorough history of my dad’s greatest triumph: the downfall of the Soviet Union. A fascinating read—with all of the passion, intrigue, and fairness he would have wanted—The Crusader is unlike any other book about him.”
— Michael Reagan -
“Combining the skills of great storytelling with his commitment to scholarly detail, Paul Kengor has written an important book that also makes for a fascinating read. The Crusader will not only entertain and inform; it will change minds.”
— Peter Schweizer, author of Do as I Day (Not as I Do) and Reagan’s War -
“In one beautifully written volume, Paul Kengor got the whole story—complete, accurate, and with more fascinating and never-before-reported details about how Ronald Reagan succeeded than any other Cold War historian. This is far and away the best book anyone has written about how President Reagan and his team fought and won the Cold War. Centuries from now, The Crusader will be read by anyone who wants to know how the Cold War really ended.”
— Herb Meyer, special assistant to CIA Director William Casey, 1981–1987 -
“This book illuminates a side of Ronald Reagan evident only to those closest to him, including the deep influence of the man’s faith in his attack on atheistic Soviet communism. The Crusader is another important addition to our historical understanding of Ronald Reagan, his presidency, his policies, and the end of the Cold War.”
— William P. Clark, National Security Advisor, 1982–1983 -
“The Crusader is a masterpiece, painstakingly researched, filled with new evidence no has seen, including shockers from Soviet files, freedom-of-information requests, and freshly declassifed, heretofore unknown documents.”
— Michael Novak, author of Washington’s God
The Crusader Listener Reviews
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" Great Read from my Son! "
— Don, 8/8/2013 -
" Excellent Book to help you understand the 80's and Reagan's Administration and the Cold War. "
— GySgt., 8/6/2013 -
" Great indepth biography of Ronald Reagan "
— Deadparrot16, 5/2/2013 -
" OK. Reagan's life-long crusade against communism and socialism. "
— Steve, 1/24/2012
About Paul Kengor
Paul Kengor, PhD, is a bestselling author whose works include Dupes: How America’s Adversaries Have Manipulated Progressives for a Century; God and Ronald Reagan; God and George W. Bush; God and Hillary Clinton; and The Crusader: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of Communism. His articles regularly appear in USA Today, the New York Times, and numerous academic journals. He is a professor at Grove City College and a frequent commentator on television and radio. He earned his bachelor’s degree and PhD from the University of Pittsburgh and his master’s from American University.
About John Pruden
John Pruden is an Earphones Award–winning audiobook narrator. His exposure to many people, places, and experiences throughout his life provides a deep creative well from which he draws his narrative and vocal characterizations. His narration of The Killing of Crazy Horse by Thomas Powers was chosen by the Washington Post as a Best Audiobook of 2010.