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

I really enjoy the way Bret can explain events. Nice break from the partisan twist many authors put on events, especially the socialist left in our country. I read a great volume of history literature, many books have a great (sample) and after you purchase the book the partisan / rewrite history begins. This series does not pull the bait and switch, thanks Bret!

Great insight into the relationship between Reagan and Gorbachev. Baier does a great job of relating the details and still keeps it interesting.

As someone who was still in grammar school at the time of Reagan's first election, I found that this book filled in a lot of gaps about many things I'd heard about but never really understood. The author does well at weaving Reagan's pre-presidential philosophy and influences into accounts of how they guided his attitude toward the Soviet Union. The book is packed with descriptions, quotes, and excerpts (and of course, Reagan's humor) that do a wonderful job of transforming the reader right back to the end of the Cold War. I'd totally recommend this book, especially for someone looking for a biography that is not overly scholarly. However, the last part (more like chunk), dedicated to Reagan-Trump similarities, seems more like a disconnected afterthought and pro-Trump sales pitch. It detracted from the rest of the book, which, while not entirely objective, was still rooted in reality and honesty. (However, that part is worth reading to see how the quality of Trump’s speechwriters stands up to Reagan’s; not even remotely comparable.)

Bret Baier never disappoints

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.

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!