Rendezvous with Destiny: Ronald Reagan and the Campaign That Changed America
"An unbelievable book . . . I was part of the Reagan Revolution and Ididn't know 80 percent of this stuff! . . . It's worth reading, andreading right now." —Mark Levin, bestselling author of Liberty and Tyranny   "Anyone who would understand the Reagan victory of 1980 and themovement that eliminated the Soviet Union and revitalized America mustread—indeed must study—Craig Shirley's brilliant, comprehensive work." —Newt Gingrich    "Shirley has done extensive interviewing and research for Rendezvouswith Destiny, and it's a terrific read—for political junkies of allideological stripes." —Michael Barone   "This exhilarating history . . . arrives, serendipitously, at a momentwhen conservatives are much in need of an inspiriting examination oftheir finest hour." —George F. Will, from the Foreword  "This story has been told before by journalists and historians,including myself, but Shirley's account brings an inside dimension tothe campaign's travails. 'Rendezvous with Destiny' is prodigiouslyresearched and well noted. When future historians re—examine the 1980campaign, one of their first stops is likely to be 'Rendezvous WithDestiny.'" —Lou Cannon  "This is consequential history at every step. . . a first—rate work ofinsider history. The book reads like Bob Woodward at his very best: aprobing, insightful, behind—the—scenes examination of events that hadprofound implications for the trajectory of American politics. Shirleyhas accomplished a great feat of scholarship and research, and it couldnot have come at a better time. The current political climate is highlyreminiscent of that of the late 1970s. These historical similarities addspecial value to Shirley's work. It is an important, timely book thatconservatives, Reagan admirers, and students of electoral politics willcherish and enjoy for years. Credit is due to Shirley for a monumentalaccomplishment." —National Review  "...New book Rendezvous with Destiny, which I am almost finished with. .. .What a hell of a good book!" —Larry Kudlow, CNBC  "There have been hundreds of books written about Ronald Reagan and thisis the question that always irritates an author, why do we need anotherone? Well, we don't have to get very far in Craig Shirley's new bookabout Reagan to know that, yes, there is still a lot we didn't knowabout Reagan and how he came to the White House. . . . It is afascinating book!" —Bob Schieffer, CBS   "Author's tale of that multi—month campaign. . . has a you—are—therequality. His intention is to provide the reader with a definitivehistory of the 1980 campaign, and he succeeds almost too well. Lest yourhead spin by the details of ever—shifting polls, maneuvers, and newscoverage of every step in every primary election campaign—keep going,for the reward will be a clear understanding of how Ronald Reagan'sappeal to 'Main Street' Americans, including many blue—collar Democrats,coincided with his own determination to win." —Weekly Standard  "It is an exhaustive study that will be at the very core of the Reaganbibliography for future generations, and will not anytime soon—ifever—be surpassed." —American Spectator  "As conservatives continue to try to reinvent themselves in the image ofRR, it is helpful to have at our disposal this meticulously researchedtome detailing how 'The Great Communicator' overcame the Republicanestablishment to oust an incumbent president —— and ultimately, tochange the world." —Politics Daily   "I believe "Rendezvous" is a compellingly written, thoroughlydocumented treatise that is essential reading for anybody who seeks tounderstand what happened and why on Reagan's third try for the WhiteHouse. . . ."Rendezvous" is a chronicle, not an investigation, and oughtto be judged as such. And a wonderfully detailed chronicle it is." —Mark Tapscott, Washington Examiner  "It's well—written, filled with information, and a pleasure to read.Anyone interested in how Reagan defeated several well—respectedRepublican contenders after blowing the Iowa caucuses, and then knockedoff the incumbent Democrat, will enjoy the book." —Doug Bandow   "Best. Reagan. Book. Evah!" —Robert Stacy McCain   "A scandal that once looked like it could take down a president, butsoon fizzled for lack of hard evidence, gets a closer look in a newbook, Rendezvous with Destiny. . . . Shirley's new book sheds new lighton the scandal. . . . The web of evidence Shirley weaves all leads toone man." —Chuck Todd, MSNBC  "'Rendezvous with Destiny' offers a series of important practicallessons on how to run a presidential campaign, including coherentideology and strategic nimbleness when circumstances change. Whether thereader is a Reagan fan or not, that takeaway alone makes Craig Shirley'sbook a top political read." —David Mark, Politico   "A superb insider's account . . . Full of anecdotes that have neverbeen published before." —Houston Chronicle   "Conservatives will love this book, and political junkies of allstripes will find it fascinating. Readers looking for high drama willeagerly absorb its more than 600 pages. . . . It is thebehind—the—scenes drama that lends real suspense to the narrative." —Washington Times   "Craig Shirley has done a masterful job. . . Shirley's books will bethe definitive works on both Reagan elections. It will be impossible totop his extensive journalistic research and, especially, his 150interviews with and access to all of the movers and shakers of thecampaigns." —Human Events  "Craig Shirley's new book on Reagan has a powerful message:  we combinedconservatives, libertarians, and independents, all inside a bigRepublican tent before ——and we can do it again. It's is an illuminatinglook back at the watershed 1980 election. For those more interested inthe politics of today, Shirley's book has much to offer." —FOXNews.com  "A much broader look at the campaign that elected Reagan . . . Shirleyhas gathered a wealth of evidence." —Politico  "The book covers every aspect of the 1980 campaign: from Reagan'scomeback after losing the Iowa caucuses to the behind—the—scenes staffbattles and the mystery of who stole President Jimmy Carter's debatebriefing books." —The Hill  "The genius of Shirley's work is to take stories we already know about,and fill in the details that take you, the reader, right into the roomwith the principals." —CQ Politics  "Shirley's book is well—researched and well—written, and it givesinsight into Reagan's journey to the Oval Office. The opening lines ofthe prologue are sure to bring tears to many a conservative's eye, asShirley sets the scene at the 1980 GOP convention in Detroit as Reaganaccepts the party's nomination for president." —Roll Call    "Shirley's book is less of a paean to the Hollywood B—bit—actor—turnedpolitico's looming presidency as it is a gritty, behind—the—scenesaccount of the Reagan Revolution. Shirley goes easy on the froth,digging deep over 37 chapters, which includes the fateful events of theRepublican presidential debate held at Nashua High School on Feb. 23,1980." —Nashua Telegraph    "Shirley puts to rest one of the great political mysteries: who stoleCarter's debate briefing books? . . . Shirley also reveals that theKennedy family had a long memory on Election Day. . . .when it came timefor the election, virtually all of them voted for Ronald Reagan." —NewsMax  "A new book by Craig Shirley tells the exhilarating story of how Reagantriumphed and made us believe it was morning in America again." —Eagle Forum  "Provides the first inside look at the historic 1980 election . . .Shi...