In this brilliantly readable book, a pulitzer prizewinning journalist chronicles the reagan decade, when america fell from dominant world power to. America in the reagan years 1st edition1st printing haynes johnson binding. Notable among johnsons more than a dozen books were the bestselling sleepwalking through history. I finally got around to reading sleepwalking through history, although weve had a copy since it was first released in 1991. But because the author of sleepwalking through history was among thousands of men and women holding washington press credentials during the reagan years, his book may raise a question or two. To liberal sophisticates, reagan was a reallife forrest gump. Sleepwalking through history america in the reagan years by haynes bonner johnson. The author points a vivid portrait not only of reagan s presidency, but also of the irancontra affair, the boom times on wall street and the religious revival led by swaggart, bakker et al.
Johnson said, made it possible for him to invent an age. Haynes book details reagans political career beginning with his run for governor of california in 1966. As its title suggests, the author believes that the decade represents a period in which america largely failed to come to grips with its principal problems. One of his most celebrated books, sleepwalking through history. Eastern time each sunday night, and was the longestrunning author interview program in u. Booknotes is an american television series on the cspan network hosted by brian lamb, which originally aired from 1989 to 2004. In human terms and living case histories, haynes johnson captures the drama and tragedy of an era nurtured by greed and a morality that found virtue in. Sleepwalking through historyamerica in the reagan years. The material thats not overtly about politics gets tied to political themes the hightechnology boom, glossed. The author points a vivid portrait not only of reagans presidency, but also of the irancontra affair, the boom times on wall street and the religious revival led by swaggart, bakker et al. In this brilliantly readable book, a pulitzer prizewinning journalist chronicles the reagan decade, when america fell from dominant world power to struggling debtor nation and when optimism turned to foreboding.
He had a way of connecting with the american public that led to his rise to a societal icon. It has been said that reagan almost singlehandedly ended the cold war. Johnson cites the promises of reagans conservative supplyside. In fact, its something subtly but significantly different.
Sleepwalking through history america in the reagan years. Under trump, republicans stand for corruption, greed, immorality, deficits. America in the reagan years to step back from the 1980s and frame them, if not with a formal theoretical perspective, then with. America in the reagan years new ed by johnson, haynes isbn. Sleepwalking through history by haynes johnson and a great selection of related books.
Haynes bonner johnson american journalist, author, and. Aug 03, 2010 open library is an open, editable library catalog, building towards a web page for every book ever published. As he did with the 1980s in sleepwalking through history. Sep 15, 2018 under trump, republicans stand for corruption, greed, immorality, deficits. Haynes johnson is a political reporter, and sleepwalking is a political book. America in the reagan years by johnson, haynes, 1931. I have become fascinated with books about the american presidents since i read the presidents club earlier this year. America in the reagan years, by haynes johnson 2003 washington post columnist johnson here presents a stunning indictment of the reagan administration that details its impact on social, economic and political life in america.
As my daughter likes to say i got to the party late. Haynes johnson in this book johnson chronicles the reagan decade, when america fell from dominant world power to struggling debtor nation and optimism turned to foreboding. America in the reagan years by johnson, haynes, 1931publication date 1991 topics. America in the reagan years, talks about the 1980s as the most important years in the. A readable critique of the fatuous illusions foisted on a willing society by american leadership in the 1980s. Sleepwalking through history by haynes bonner johnson, haynes johnson, 2003, w. List of booknotes interviews first aired in 1991 wikipedia.
Reagan is arguably the singlemost popular president in modern united states history. America in the reagan years, by haynes johnson read 12 apr 1992 this is the authors attempt to emulate frederick lewis allens great books on the 1920s and 1930s, but it is far more opinionated and not very comprehensive. Chicago turabian humanities citation style guide johnson, haynes, 193120, sleepwalking through history. In this brilliantly readable book, a pulitzer prizewinning journalist chronicles the reagan decade, when america fell from dominant world. Sleepwalking through history was among thousands of men and women holding washington press credentials during the reagan years, his book may raise a question or two in the mind of a reader who. Sleepwalking through history 2003 edition open library. Politicos mike allen remembers the political journalist and author. America in the reagan years 1991 analyzed the 1980s with an unsparing eye toward reagan and congress. Under trump, republicans stand for corruption, greed. Johnson said, made it possible for him to invent an age whose consequences. America in the reagan years, pulitzer prizewinning journalist johnson reevaluates what happened to america in. A stunning indictment of the reagan administration that details its.
Sleepwalking through history presents itself as a firstdraft history of america in the 1980s. The book makes clear why the rich got richer and the poor poorer in the last decade. America in the reagan years by haynes johnson 1991, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. America in the reagan years paperback april 29 2003 by haynes johnson author 4. It is the considerable virtue of sleepwalking through history. The nations stumbling domestic policies in the 1990s do little to discredit johnsons analysis. Mar 20, 1991 sleepwalking through history america in the reagan years by haynes johnson illustrated.
Elegant prose, devastating insight and a keen historical perspective. The material thats not overtly about politics gets tied to political themes the hightechnology boom, glossed over mtv, or ignored altogether. Ronald reagan was the first president since eisenhower to serve two consecutive terms, and this mr. This article was most recently revised and updated by karen sparks, director and editor, britannica book of the year. Under trump, republicans stand for corruption, greed, immorality. America in the reagan years 1991 and his final book, the battle for america 2008 2009, with dan balz. Haynes johnson this book examines the reagan decade in which america fell from a dominant world power to a struggling debtor nation. This national bestseller brilliantly analyzes america in the 1980s from the election of ronald. Johnson cites the promises of reagan s conservative supplyside trickledown program to. The author, an experienced washington journalist, combines a liberal commitment to the public welfare and a conservative disdain for the meretricious. Jan 18, 2017 ive read other books by him and know that he doesnt describe anything that isnt verifiable. May 24, 20 one of his most celebrated books, sleepwalking through history.
Pulitzerwinning washington post columnist portrays ronald reagan as an affable, shallow politician of dubious credentials, one created by millionaires and clever media salesmen into a mythical figure who would restore american prestige and old values. According to author haynes johnson, americans were lulled into thinking that ronald reagan was much more than what he actually turned out to be, and reagan himself was not always quite what he appeared. This book took me a while to get through, but it was worth it. America in the reagan years by haynes johnson and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Sleepwalking through history america in the reagan years by haynes johnson illustrated. The presidency of ronald reagan in the united states was marked by multiple scandals, resulting in the investigation, indictment, or conviction of over 8 administration officials, the largest number for any u. Ive read other books by him and know that he doesnt describe anything that isnt verifiable. America in the reagan years by johnson, haynes, 1931publication date 1992 topics reagan, ronald. The most wellknown and politically damaging of the scandals came to light in november 1986, when ronald reagan conceded. The format of the show is a onehour, oneonone interview with a nonfiction author. America in the reagan years haynes bonner johnson, author w. America in the reagan years, talks about the 1980s as the most important years in the united states since world war ii.