Romesh Ratnesar
is Deputy Managing Editor of Time magazine. He has written on U.S. foreign policy and international affairs and reported from many countries around the world, including Iraq, Afghanistan, and Israel and the Palestinian territories.
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Category: Reviews & Praise
Library Journal Review
"Ratnesar captures the full historical context and bricks-and-mortar development of Ronald Reagan's memorable yet controversial1987 speech at the Berlin Wall."
-Library Journal
Link: Library Journal
Ratnesar (deputy managing editor, Time) captures the full historical context and bricks-and-mortar development of Ronald Reagan's memorable yet controversial1987 speech at the Berlin Wall. His presentation of the recollections of residents of East and West Berlin at the time vividly show how controlling the East German Communist government and its secret police were in monitoring East Germans and trying (yet often failing) to shield them from Western political and cultural influence. Ratnesar does a very good job of exploring Reagan's life, showing how the Berlin speech integrated Reagan's personal beliefs and public persona. The author gives due credit to the speechwriters, particularly Peter Robinson. Ratnesar's portrayal of Gorbachev is also first rate. This book, in effect, builds on James Mann's insightful The Rebellion of Ronald Reagan in showing why Reagan's Berlin speech is seen as historically significant. VERDICT This book may be read with pleasure by many, from trained historians to curious general readers. Generally objective in its approach, it will yet lead readers to understand why Reagan is remembered fondly by many and why both he and Gorbachev were key figures in this significant element of 20th-century history.—Rob Langenderfer, Brown Mackie Coll. Lib. Ft. Mitchell, KY
