While some laud Ronald Reagan as the president who won the Cold War, restored morale, and encouraged economic growth, others criticize him for record national debt and label him as a detached chief executive. Since he left office in 1989, both scholars and the public have intensely debated what the Reagan years meant for the United States and the world. In this important new volume, editors Paul Kengor and Peter Schweizer bring together original essays from leading scholars who examine topics as varied as Iran Contra, abortion, the Cold War, governmental management, and economic policy. Through critical analysis, these essays seek a better understanding of Ronald Reagan, his policies, and his lasting legacy. This balanced and accessible book is ideal for everyone interested in the American presidency, American Government, and U.S. political theory.

This collection of essays from a broad cross-section of historians and political scientists provides a 'second generation' scholarly assessment of Ronald Reagan's presidency. The authors use a mix of comparative case-studies and quantitative approaches. Many of the essays have their roots in research presented at the International Conference on the History of the Presidency of Ronald Reagan at the University of California, Santa Barbara, in March 2002.