Last Act: The Final Years and Emerging Legacy of Ronald Reagan

His name in American politics is more cited than any other president. Both the Republican and Democratic parties are radically different today, mainly as a result of Ronald Reagan and the force of his ideas. No twentieth century president shaped the American political landscape so profoundly. Craig Shirley'sLast Act is the important final chapter in the life of Reagan that no one has thus far covered. It's the kind of book that widens our understanding of American history and of the presidency and the men who occupied it. To tell Reagan's story, Craig has secured the complete, exclusive, and enthusiastic support of the Reagan Foundation and Library and spent considerable time there reviewing sealed files and confidential information. Cast in a grand and compelling narrative style,Last Act contains interesting and heretofore untold anecdotes about Reagan, Mrs. Reagan, their pleasure at retirement, the onslaught of the awful Alzheimer's and how he and Mrs. Reagan dealt with the diagnosis, the slow demise, the extensive plans for a state funeral, the outpouring from the nation, which stunned the political establishment, the Reagan legacy, and how his shadow looms more and more over the Republican Party, Washington, the culture of America, and the world. Review "Stunning insights into the enduring legacy of our last anti-Establishment president. Kudos to Craig Shirley for this great book!"--Laura Ingraham, Lifezette"Craig Shirley skillfully weaves in key events from the President's life and their indelible impact on people and history. He masterfully captures each moment and event. The truly wonderful and enduring contribution ofLast Act is its message of hope and optimism."--Ben Elliott, Director of White House Speechwriting, 1983-1986"Like its subject, the book is a class act. Shirley is especially good in his clear writing style and no-nonsense storytelling. There are thousands of anecdotes and scores of witticisms."--The American Conservative"It's that sunset journey of Ronald Reagan that Mr. Shirley, author of two well-received books on Ronald Reagan, traces in clean and forceful prose..."--Washington Times"No historian has done a better job of chronicling Ronald Reagan's rise to power than Craig Shirley. However, Shirley's latest book is the first book to focus on Reagan's post-presidential life and demonstrates that his importance extended far beyond the eight years he held America's highest elective office."--Breitbart"Craig Shirley's Last Act is the quintessential guide for remembering President Reagan as we should, with respect to the facts and honor to the service of one of America's greatest political leaders... Last Act gives us the Reagan model for measuring a president's place in history." --Townhall"Craig Shirley's masterful storytelling and attention to detail immediately bring the reader to the Gipper's bedside at Rancho del Cielo. The reader is lulled into a sense of actually being among the Reagans... Shirley carefully straddles the grey area between storyteller, biographer and historian to produce a volume that chronicles the legacy, the legend and the man himself."--Conservative Review"The long time Reagan biographer has written a superb book that tells of the last days of the president millions of Americans had come to love and admire... The story Shirley unfolds...is detailed, colorful, and summons the emotions. For the Reagan fans out there,Last Act is a must -- and a much needed reminder that yes, once upon a time America had a president who really did 'make America great again.'"--American Spectator"Shirley makes meticulous notation of the duty-driven world upon the death of Ronald Reagan, yet all the information is not overwhelming. You listen, tear up a little, remembering Reagan, and then you look at the world now and, using his optimism, believe we can again experience the unparallele