The Greatest Speeches of Ronald Reagan

With twenty-eight speeches spanning the Reagan era, The Greatest Speeches of Ronald Reagan provides readers with a direct source into President Reagans profound belief in God, freedom, individualism, limited government, and his great love for his country. Ronald Wilson Reagan, the fortieth president of the United States, was also one of America's greatest orators. Known as The Great Communicator, he shared his vision of the greatness of America while guiding the nation to an unprecedented prosperity and renewed vigor. When President Reagan assumed the presidency in 1981, Americas economy ebbed with 12 percent inflation and 8 million unemployed. Reagans predecessor spoke of a national malaise. Abroad, Americas adversary, the Soviet Union, was expanding its influence. The Soviet Unions nuclear weapons capability surpassed that of the United States and previous nuclear arms treaties were failures. President Reagans goals were simple: To reduce the size of the federal government Lower taxes Stabilize the economy Restore the belief of the American people in their government Win the Cold War When President Reagan left office in 1989, these goals had been achieved: Americans were enjoying the longest uninterrupted span of prosperity in the nations history. After a massive military build-up, the largest in peacetime, President Reagan had negotiated a nuclear arms treaty that greatly reduced the threat of nuclear war. By expanding the military, he achieved peace through strength and set the stage for the demise of the Soviet Union. From the time he arrived on the political scene in 1964-throughout his presidency and beyond, Ronald Reagan used his speeches to inspire and reinvigorate America. When he spoke, Reagan said he was preaching a sermon. The American people saw his vision of America and his dreams for the future, and they overwhelmingly responded; he was re-elected in 1984 by the largest number of electoral votes in the nations history. In this collection of twenty-eight speeches spanning the Reagan era, with an Introduction from his son, Michael Reagan, you may read for yourself his inspirational sermons. From his first speech in the political arena in 1964 to his Last Letter to America, informing Americans of his Alzheimers disease, Ronald Reagans words show a profound belief in God, freedom, individualism, limited government, and his great love for his country.