Michael K. Deaver Livres

A warm, intimate portrait of President Ronald Reagan by his confidant and friend of over 35 years. Former aide and long-time family friend Michael Deaver first met Ronald Reagan during his 1966 campaign for governor of California and later served him in Sacramento and Washington, DC, as the president's deputy chief of staff. In A Different Drummer, Reagan emerges as charismatic and unwaveringly optimistic, a devoted husband and dedicated leader, disciplined and tough. As Deaver points out in his introduction, 'worked eight years doing the toughest job on earth; criss-crossed the world; and survived an assassin's bullet, a devastating riding accident, cancer, and brain surgery all after he turned seventy.' Deaver also shares the lows, including the tough times that would test the strength of their friendship. Finally, he shares a look at Reagan today as he battles Alzheimer's disease. It is Nancy Reagan's finest hour, Deaver writes, a validation of the greatest love story he has ever known.

Candid, moving, and insightful, this book offers the most personal look at Nancy Davis Reagan ever published. She was the daughter of a single mother, a Hollywood movie star, and the wife of one of the greatest presidents of the twentieth century. A cancer survivor, she now faces her greatest challenge: her husband's Alzheimer's disease. Mike Deaver, who has known Nancy since the 1960s, reveals the side of her that only her intimates recognize. Many people hold misconceptions about Nancy, shaped by negative media portrayals that focus on her wealth, fashion, and trivialities. Pundits have labeled her with unflattering nicknames, but the Nancy Deaver knows is far more complex. She is a woman of immense will and fortitude, who, despite her husband's prominence, has played a significant role in their fifty-year marriage. Nancy believes Ronald Reagan was a great man who changed history, and Deaver argues that he would not have achieved such distinction without her support. Initially intimidated by politics, Nancy gradually embraced her role, providing discipline and asking tough questions during pivotal moments. She fiercely protected his image and offered him unconditional love, becoming his comfort and respite. Now, as she cares for him in his decline, Nancy embodies the roles of caretaker, guardian, and nurturer of the Reagan legacy.