Ronnie Rat

Well, I’m dubious about disagreeing with so many O’Reilly fans but this book is flawed. I’m glad someone finally revealed the old guy’s secret peccadillos but the authors took it too far. It’s Ronald Reagan from the dark side, his shadow self. If a man’s biography amounts to the accumulation of his peculiarities and weaknesses, and also those his wife’s, then this is acceptable biography. I once heard O’Reilly comment, “Reagan was not a phony.” You’d never infer that from this book. I’m not a gushing fan of Reagan by any means, as are some, and I like Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard. Their book Killing Lincoln was an excellent read. And I’m old enough to recall Reagan’s sending Marines to Lebanon to stand guard without guns or ammunition . . . until one day BOOM went the bomb. A baby would have known better. I still recall his administration calling ketchup a vegetable in school lunch programs, and other such silly stuff. Ronald Reagan could bumble around, no doubt—I remember it. Famous persons ought to be biographized as if sitting in their underwear, we all agree, but this is a life of Ron and Nancy written as a chain of egoistic, self-serving calculations, one following another. Dwelling excessively on negatives warps perspective as much as uncritical reverence. Sorry, all you “killing” book fans—this book is two-dimensional history. The softer side of the president, his hugging relatives of the space shuttle disaster with sincere warmth, his change of mind about AIDs sufferers and admitting he was wrong in a public service announcement, his resisting his daughter’s heart-to-heart talk about the arms race, his diary entries in which he struggles to forgive John Hinckley, and earlier—his going to bat for unfairly-treated Hollywood actors, are all left out. I once read that Reagan nearly punched Lee Marvin when Marvin demanded an actress be fired from the set. Ronald Reagan had positive dimensions, too. Furthermore, the book is not exclusively about “killing Reagan,” although there are chapters on the assassination attempt. It’s a selective biography of Reagan from his arrival in Los Angeles through to his death. It is a book of chosen scenes, threaded together by a narrative which moves along briskly, no doubt well-researched, nearly all of which are hyper-critical of their subject. That’s it in the nutshell. Perhaps the authors wanted to avoid even a whisper of political bias? That is my guess for an explanation. If so, they succeeded in spades.

This is a worthwhile book even if an imperfect one. I say, read it with its flaws in mind. Stop already with the indiscriminate acceptance of O’Reilly’s and Dugard’s work. Those “killing” books have become for some like ringing bells were to Pavlov’s dogs. These are good books but not the last word on their subjects. Break the conditioning by stepping back and thinking critically.

26 people found this helpful

Kiliing Reagan

Where does Killing Reagan rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Like others in the O'Reilly, Martin Dugard series, this book is full of research that tells the reader things we didn't know or some of us only suspected. It will take me some time to fully digest and separate the public Ronald Reagan from the historical facts in the book. I'm sure that some people may be put off by some of the material but I found it thought provoking and very timely considering a Presidential election is on the horizon.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Killing Reagan?

The entire book was captivating and had be either shaking my head in disbelief or nodding in confirmation that I got things right when they were happening. I am a Ronald Reagan fan but I now need to revaluate some of the reasons why.

Have you listened to any of Robert Petkoff and Bill O'Reilly ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have read or listened to all of Bill O' Reilly's books. The research done by Martin Dugard is truly brilliant and give the reader insight that go beyond the sound bites and fluffed up images we form our opinions on. It is no surprise the Bill started off and a teacher and still is; he just has a bigger class room now.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Acting The Part

19 people found this helpful

Psycho shoots the Great Communicator~4 STARS~

PLOT: close up look at Ronald Regan and the attempt to kill him by John Hinkley Junior.
**Bill O'Reilly ONLY narrates the introduction. **

This bio starts when divorced actor Ronald Wilson Regan meets actress Nancy Davis He is a very fit rugged Hollywood bachelor. His involvement with actress Nancy Davis results in her becoming pregnant and they end up married. With the advent of Television~ Regan's movie career is waning. He makes the move to Television and becomes the host of "GE Theatre". This also makes him wealthy. His increasing conservative views has his switch from democrat to republican. He enters politics with a successful bid as the Governor of California. His is labeled "the Great Communicator" due to his wonderful speaking voice. Nancy is described as a devoted but very "controlling wife.". When Regan is elected president. Nancy "retains" their own private PSYCHIC CONSULTANT for $3,000 a month. The Regan's Children ~ Ronnie Junior and Patty Davis both rebel against the "establishment" in the 1960s. Patty is openly critical of both her parents and blames them for the unhappiness in her life.
Enter John Hinkley Junior. A depressed and moody man who has had mental issues dating from his childhood. He is unable to hold a job and is dependent on his parents for financial support. After seeing the movie Taxi Driver his new 'obsession' is actress Jodi Foster. Sending her endless love letters and even calls her on the phone and stalks her at her college dorm. He makes plans to "impress her" by shooting someone. Hinkley acquires a gun and moves forward in his plans and Regan becomes his TARGET. Hinkley fires and hits Regan In his chest and hits 3 other people in his bid to kill Regan. This is very well done in the details of Regan's recovery. Regan is elected for a second term but has increased "memory issues."
Hinkley is found insane and moved into a mental hospital where he can play his guitar, watch tv and keep his hair long and shaggy and continues his obsession with Foster.
This bio also includes Regans close friendship with Margaret Thatcher. Regan's memory issues are finally diagnosed as Alzheimer's which eventually ends his life. This is a very good bio. Regan has both charm and even humor. Nancy is very clearly disliked by everyone but Regan. Narrated by Martin Dugard who does a fair/good job with narration but I personally would have preferred Bill O'Reilly to narrate his own books.The content and story keep us interested. I give this 4 STAR over all and 3 on narration/performance. Great look at the fascinating charismatic Ronald Regan.

13 people found this helpful

another really book

I have gone through all of Bill O'Reilly's and Martin Dugard's books and enjoyed each one.... can't wait to see what they come up with next...

10 people found this helpful

Patriot story

Eveeeery decade or so a person will profoundly affect everyone's life in a good way. Reagan was one of those iconic leaders this country needed badly at the time. Few can rationally deny the good he brought to our country. This story reinforces that period of time to remember how great Reagan was, but provides the details that fills in the blanks often wondered. The research about Reagan was stellar, almost making you feel you were there, with details that amaze. A good read.

9 people found this helpful

Great narrator!

When the book began I was disappointed that O'Reilly was not the narrator, but aft a few moments I began to notice how good this narrator was.

Again, this was a wonderful history book narrated as a story. Unlike most history books that are dry as cracker juice, Killing Reagan relives the events and the listener feels the excitement and all the emotions

9 people found this helpful

I loved it but wish they could have refrained from cussing

I loved it but wish they could have refrained from cussing. The same point would have been achieved.

7 people found this helpful

Interesting but not flattering to a great American

I have read multiple books about Reagan and this is the least flattering. It's a good book. I would have preferred if the authors would have left out details of his pre-Nancy love life. Seems like a poor way to treat a President. They did the same with Kennedy.

7 people found this helpful

Bill O'Reilly's worst Killing Series Book.

What did you like best about Killing Reagan? What did you like least?

I think my biggest problem was O'Reilly did not narrate this book. He narration in the other Killing books was perfect and spot on. He build tension throughout the books and created a unique voice. Using someone else was an instantly diminished the overall tone of the book. I really think a version should be released where O'Reilly narrates. I know that wouldn't work for the hard copies of the audiobook, but Audible could find a way to make that work. I never wanted to actually read the books, because he was so good at telling the story. I might actually buy this book now, because at least I can hear his voice in my head when I read it.

Would you be willing to try another book from Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard ? Why or why not?

I mentioned the Killing series to a very liberal friend of mine, and he can't stand O'Reilly's opinions. As someone more conservative, I also don't really care for O'Reilly's opinions either. I walked out on him from his Bolder and Fresher tour. I love Dennis Miller and I got to see him first. I wanted to see them together on stage because when Miller is on the Factor on Wednesdays, that is the only time I'll watch. But his ego became so overwhelming, I couldn't sit and listen to it. But the Killing series are great pieces of historical narrative and I said he doesn't use politics in these books. I will always try other books by these two authors. I just pray for their next book, O'Reilly will decide to come back as narrator.

7 people found this helpful

From the book factory

Long on quotes and other lifted material and short on insight. Some new facts but presented like the ticker running across the bottom of a tv screen.
Choppy with a thrown together feel.

6 people found this helpful