*Includes pictures of Reagan, Thatcher, and important people, places, and events in their lives.
*Includes an in depth analysis of both leaders' political philosophies and records.
*Includes a Bibliography on Reagan for further reading.
"The nine most terrifying words in the English language are: 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help.'" - Ronald Reagan
"Being powerful is like being a lady. If you have to tell people you are, you aren't." - Margaret Thatcher
Kindred Spirits. Cold Warriors. Conservative Icons. In the 1980s, U.S. President Ronald Reagan and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher forged a strong bond that shaped the destinies of the United States, the United Kingdom, and all of Europe, banding together to bring about the end of the Soviet Union. While their geopolitical successes earned them a place in history, it was their similar political philosophies that continue to greatly influence the politics of their respective nations over 20 years after they left office.
In a story that could have come straight out of Hollywood, golden actor Ronald Reagan rose through California politics to become California governor and eventually the 40th President. The former actor then went on to have one of the most consequential presidencies of the 20th century, unquestionably making him one of the most influential men of the last 50 years. And his name is still as relevant in American politics today, with every politician with an R next to his or her name trying to claim Ronald Reagan's conservative mantle. In the Republican presidential nomination debates in 2011, Reagan's name was invoked an average of over 5 times per debate, more than every other president combined. Meanwhile, Americans of all stripes continue to debate the merits of "Reaganomics" more than 30 years after Reagan was elected.
Sir Winston Churchill is often cited as Britain's greatest prime minister for leading the United Kingdom against Hitler's Nazi war machine during World War II, and indeed he was the idol of the one person who many think might have surpassed him: Margaret Thatcher. Thatcher not only became Britain's first female prime minister, she also became its longest serving prime minister.
The political precedents Thatcher set as a woman would be enough of a legacy in its own right, but Thatcher effectively wielded her power in a way that made a lasting contribution both to geopolitics and the perception of female politicians in general. Thatcher is widely credited, along with Ronald Reagan, as one of the principal Cold Warriors who brought about the demise of the Soviet Union, whose leaders gave her the famous nickname "Iron Lady." And of course, Thatcher was recently in the spotlight again with the release of the critically acclaimed movie The Iron Lady, starring Meryl Streep.
Conservative Icons looks at the private lives of the two leaders, highlights their political accomplishments and conservative philosophies, and analyzes their ongoing political legacies. Along with pictures of Reagan, Thatcher and other important people and events in his life, you will learn about these Conservative Icons like you never have before, in no time at all.