This book is about the 1988 U.S.-Soviet summit in Moscow between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev. It was the last meeting between the two before the end of Reagan's presidency.

The centerpiece of the book is Reagan's legendary speech to students at Moscow State University under the glowering bust of Lenin. Reagan shares his vision of the changing world and Russia's place in it.

This book is very pro-Reagan (so am I) and so begins with a mini-biography of the president, which informs his values and actions later. The book would have benefited from a similar treatment of Gorbachev.

There are more pivotal moments in the U.S.-Soviet relationship as the Cold War ended, but this is an interesting account. It wraps up with Reagan's tenure ending, G.H.W. Bush's beginning, the end of Empire, and the collapse of the Soviet Union.

It's an engaging read and worth the time.

"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same." - - - Ronald Reagan

This book does a nice job of telling the story of Ronald Reagan. A life that was full of standing up for what is right. He was eloquent in expressing ideas and firm on his fundamental beliefs. There are so many good quotes from his public life. I am struck by the thought that there will be individuals who try to emulate his presidency and will miss the mark. I am not sure I will get the words correct. But, he elevated the position of president of the united states because of the man he was vs. being more of a man because he was president of the united states.

Excellent political history. Long process of ending Cold War starting with the friendship formed by Reagan and Gorbachev.

Age note: I grew up with Reagan as President, at least at the time that I was paying attention. Therefore, I may have different feelings that you do.

I can remember all of the major events in this book and will never forget him saying "Tear down these walls!"

The speech at the end in his own voice in May of 1988 at Moscow University, in that setting with the murals of the Revolution and Lenin's bust, was powerful. He's been called the great communicator and even he admitted he said that he communicated the ideas of America, not that he was the great speaker.

What kept me from giving this 5 stars was the semi-comparison to "45". I literally won't say his name, if that gives you an idea of how a person raised on Reagan feels about the current Republican Party. There is no comparison and never will be. It isn't about the ability to speak to American Ideals or his delivery, it's the complete and utter unlikeness that the author tried to say give him time. The clock started before he was inaugurated and ended, even with the most positive outlook, the moment he made his first move.

The 40th president, Reagan, took the tiger by the tail at the right time with the right leader of the old USSR and ended the Cold War, this was an amazing history of it. 45 seems better at creating new ones and he's not even done yet.

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As someone who will, upon hearing the name of the 40th US president spoken aloud, spit on the ground and ward against the evil eye, I knew this book was not written with me in mind. But like all good liberals who haven’t figured out the door only swings one way, I went in with an open mind, hoping for some historical analysis with at least a semblance of impartiality. Reading these pages, we meet a version of The Gipper replete with masculine charisma and strength who is also soft-spoken and demure (but in a manly sort of way). His every word is well timed and the platonic ideal of poetic brevity and power. He has no flaws unless one considers being too successful in every endeavor a flaw. The Great Communicator is magnanimous and kind as he insults The Russians, cracks the occasional cosmological zinger over the head of his heathen son and treats a wayward negro boy to charity as proof of his racial egalitarianism. There is no speculation or analysis on what Reagan might have done better or worse or anything he might have missed for the mere speculation that his every heartbeat wasn’t perfection personified is never raised. I was hoping for history and would have settled for lopsided journalism. By the time we got around to comparing the godlike Reagan to Trump, I realized all Baier had to offer for us was propaganda.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to listen to all my Dead Kennedys albums on repeat to try to wash this trickle down nonsense off me.

Read aloud to the kids for our Cold War history. I didn't read the description of this book closely before purchasing, and soon realized it was much more of a book about Reagan than just the politics of the Cold War. However, we used it as a jumping off point for many good discussions, and it still worked as a read aloud. Particularly interesting for us was contrasting the leadership of Reagan with Trump, the ideas of taking responsibilities for ones actions, treating others with kindness even during disagreements, and humble leadership are all so foreign today. Reagan certainly saw democracy as savior more than I do, but we appreciated learning about the fall of communism through his life.