First Lady: A Portrait of Nancy Reagan

A look at Nancy Reagan features extensive interviews with the First Lady and the President and discussions with all the Reagan children

These interviews were conducted by NBC reporters and White House correspondent Wallace for a TV documentary on Nancy Reagan. Here, among more than 150 photos (100 in color), are the words of the First Lady and the President, their (controversial) friend Michael Deaver, their children and others. The comments are almost monolithically praising, although Betty Friedan criticizes the First Lady for not speaking out for women's rights. Among the information offered: Nancy Reagan's life revolves around her husband; she probably hasn't had substantive influence on policy; "she's very level-headed, she's very sincere, she's very down to earth"; she is "a vulnerable, sweet little person." Many of the remarks are tediously repetitive, but some prove entertaining: William F. Buckley Jr. notes that the Reagans "grew up in their early married life fighting Communists in Hollywood"; Letitia Baldridge observes that first ladies are inevitably changed by the job"Just think of all the newspapers they suddenly start to read." 100,000 first printing; $100,000 ad/promo; Literary Guild alternate.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

This abundantly illustrated profile is a spinoff of the NBC News "White Papers." The book is based on a series of interviews, with the President and Mrs. Reagan, their family, friends, and staff. The interviews range from Mrs. Reagan's childhood years up through the White House period and provide a sketch of her as a private person and a public celebrity. Some interviews attempt to address past controversies (redecorating the White House, her designer fashions). However, there are few new insights here. The book's outstanding feature is its 150-plus full-color photos. While recent publications have discussed the Reagans' personal life as a team (Laurence Learner's Make-Believe , LJ 5/1/83), this work is noteworthy since it is devoted solely to Mrs. Reagan. For larger public libraries. Ellen Johnson Pine, Colby-Sawyer Coll. Lib., New London, N.H.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.