Three Days in Moscow: Ronald Reagan and the Fall of the Soviet Empire

This is an excellent, well-paced book covering Ronald Reagan’s leading role in ending the Cold War. The central narrative of the story is built around the speech Reagan gave to students at Moscow State University on 31 May 1988 at the end of his fourth summit with Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev. Building on the speech, Brett Baier and Catherine Whitney have provided a highly readable and outstanding biography of Ronald Reagan and his role that brought an end to the Cold War. The book provided a comprehensive look at the foundational elements of Ronald Reagan’s deep held convictions on democracy and freedom for all people. It also provided insights into Reagan’s thoughts on the relationship with the Soviet Union and provided an “inside baseball” perspective on the formulation of America’s late period Cold War diplomacy. Another exceptional part of this book was how it portrayed the growing and enduring friendship Reagan and Gorbachev formed highlighting the importance of open honest communications even in the face of completely opposite perspectives. Reading this book broadened my knowledge of the Reagan era diplomacy and how it led to the end of the Cold War. It showed there was no one act but rather a building of dialog and diplomacy over time leading to ultimate cessation. The speech that Regan gave to the students at Moscow State University was used to show how Reagan saw the true divisions between America and the Soviet Union in honest human terms and the highly effective way he expressed those thoughts. The speech (contained in full in the Appendix) truly underscored the entire narrative developed by Baier and Whitney throughout this book. My interest was piqued enough to buy another history of the end of the Cold War recommended by the authors (At the Highest Levels: The Inside Story of the End of the Cold War by Michael Beschloss and Strobe Talbott) to further round out my knowledge of this critical period in our country’s history. Three Days in Moscow is a must read for anyone interested in the Reagan Presidency or on the history of the Cold War.

This is my second book of the Three Days series. The first book was about Eisenhower. I actually enjoyed Eisenhower a little better I believe because I knew less about him. However, that's not meant to imply that I didn't also enjoy this book. It's just I am more familiar with Reagan. However, I did enjoy the authors perspective and the many quotes provided to support their conclusions. I guess the biggest takeaway for me was the Berlin Wall history. My memory had me thinking Reagan makes the "Tear Down This Wall" speech and the wall comes down. It was nearly two years later and the wall came down as the result of a misconception by the public East Germans announcement regarding travel. No one intended for the wall to come down, it just happened. Also impressing is how George Bush, now in as President, handled the communication. It wasn't necessary to gloat, no need to rub it in, no need to herald the we won attitude. Certainly that wouldn't happen today by either party. This book made me long again for a leader with integrity and the ability to communicate. Again, this is a shot at both parties. Reagan is another President that used a form of walk softly and carry a big stick theory. Or in his case in addition, used the 'Trust but Verify' slogan. It's been a long time since I've been able to vote for a candidate instead of voting against another candidate. In my opinion, it was a time when American came first with no need to lie, cheat or steal to get there. Or at least it seemed that way. The authors suggest that communicating with your enemy is better than sound bites. So true in my way of thinking as well. Talking between surrogates and not face to face helps humanize those that otherwise may seem inhuman. But then again, I just don't currently see one party or the other doing anything but sound bites. There is still hope that in my lifetime we will once again see a leader that all Americans can get behind. If so, it sadly doesn't seem to be in the near future. Very good book that made me miss this America.

It was too stretched out but overall a great book for politic lovers out there. 4 stars would recommend it.

I love history, but I find most history books are boring. Not this one. Bret Baier brings the years of Ronald Reagan back to memory, almost back to life. Reagan was my first Presidential vote, and I followed his political career as it unfolded, and I thought at the time he had a much easier time than I have read here. This has to be one of the finest biographies about the President ever written, and the best report of his battle against the Iron Curtain resulting in his friendship with Mikhail Gorbachev.

Great book

Written in a easy to read manner. You don't need Masters degree in anything to read it. So many of these types of books you need a dictionary or a professor sitting nearby to explain the long or legal words. Brett does a fine job writing his books.

In this case 5 stars are well deserved. Bret Baker has provided a well researched riveting account of Ronald Reagan 's lifelong fight for freedom, which, by definition, is a fight against communism. He backs up go research with interviews with many who were there and participated in this battle won without during a shot. I was alive to witness this time in history but never really knew what happened until reading this book. It makes me proud to know I cast my first and second presidential votes for this man who revived the American spirit and patriotism at a time when it was sorely needed and by sticking to his principles played the role of a lifetime in ending the cold war. I liked this one a lot and believe you will too.

Excellent book, I found it hard to put down. I recall watching these events as they played out, this book shows what went on behind the scenes, I certainly learned a lot and it explains just what happened the day the Berlin wall fell by accident. Bear examines Reagan’s thinking about the nuclear weapons problem and the disintegration of the Soviet Union without firing a shot. A good read, not complicated, well written.

AWESOME

Extremely well researched; masterfully and concisely written!