author
Ronald Reagan
1911–2004
An actor, radio sports announcer, and union leader before entering politics, he went on to become the 40th president of the United States. His life moved from small-town Illinois to Hollywood, Sacramento, and the White House, leaving a legacy that still shapes American political debate.
1 Audiobook
State of the Union Addresses
by Ronald Reagan
About the author
Born in Tampico, Illinois, in 1911, he grew up in the Midwest and studied at Eureka College before working as a radio sports announcer. He later became a film actor in Hollywood and also served as president of the Screen Actors Guild, experiences that helped build the public style and communication skills that became central to his political career.
After years as a well-known public figure, he entered elected office and served as governor of California from 1967 to 1975. He was elected the 40th president of the United States and served from 1981 to 1989, becoming one of the defining voices of modern American conservatism.
He died in 2004, but interest in his life has remained strong because of the range of roles he played across the 20th century: broadcaster, actor, labor leader, governor, and president. For many readers, his story is as much about communication and public image as it is about politics.