As Ronald Reagan's chief pollster and political strategist for most of his career, Dick Wirthlin had unique access to what it was that earned Reagan his "Great Communicator" title.
But in this book, Wirthlin takes both the superlative and the praise to the highest possible level. If you seek an objective, scholarly study of our 40th President, look elsewhere. Wirthlin is not just a friend, he's a loyal subject, eager to disprove "misconceptions" about a President sometimes viewed as detached from loved ones and disinterested in the less fortunate. Wirthlin made a living spinning for Reagan, and he doesn't stop here. For fans of Reagan, Wirthlin offers a soothing, amiable stroll down the corridors of Reagandom. He recalls each election, political battle, and speech as a triumph of one man's ability to connect with the public. Wirthlin clearly loved and misses his friend. If you do, this book should be on your Christmas wish list. Title The Greatest Communicator: What Ronald Reagan Taught me about Politics, Leadership, and Life Author Dick Wirthlin with Wynton Hall Publisher John Wiley and Sons (September 2004), 224 pages Reviewed by Douglas Quenqua
