Reaganland: America's Right Turn 1976-1980

Reaganland chronicles the rise of Ronald Reagan and the conservative movement between Jimmy Carter's 1976 victory and Reagan's presidential triumph in 1980. The book examines the forces that transformed American politics during this pivotal period, from evangelical activism to anti-tax movements. Through extensive research and historical documentation, Perlstein reconstructs the key moments and lesser-known figures who shaped both Carter's presidency and Reagan's path to power. The narrative tracks parallel stories: Carter's struggles with inflation, energy crises, and foreign policy challenges alongside Reagan's evolution from former California governor to Republican standard-bearer. The book places special focus on the emergence of the New Right, including religious conservatives, anti-ERA activists, and free-market advocates who coalesced around Reagan. Media coverage, grassroots organizing, and changes in campaign finance also feature prominently in the political transformation. At its core, Reaganland explores how American society and culture shifted rightward during the late 1970s, setting the stage for decades of conservative dominance in national politics. The book serves as both a political history and an examination of how movements can fundamentally reshape the nation's direction.

Readers highlight the detailed research and rich context about American culture and politics in the late 1970s. Many note the thorough examination of how Reagan and conservatives built their movement during Carter's presidency. Positives from reviews: - Clear connections between 1970s events and current politics - Strong portrayal of both major and minor historical figures - Comprehensive coverage of cultural shifts and media influence Common criticisms: - Length (1,120 pages) becomes repetitive - Too many tangential storylines - Political bias against conservatives - Dense writing style that can be hard to follow Average Ratings: Goodreads: 4.4/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (1,000+ ratings) One reader noted: "The details about evangelical Christianity's rise in politics were eye-opening." Another criticized: "Perlstein's liberal perspective colors too much of the narrative." The book maintains strong ratings despite complaints about length and political slant.

Before the Storm: Barry Goldwater and the Unmaking of the American Consensus by Rick Perlstein Chronicles the rise of modern American conservatism through Goldwater's 1964 campaign and its lasting impact on Republican politics.

The Age of Reform by Richard Hofstadter Examines the transformation of American political movements from the 1890s through the New Deal, tracking the evolution of populist and progressive ideologies.

The Making of the President 1960 by Theodore H. White Documents the pivotal Kennedy-Nixon election campaign and the shift in American political campaigning through insider accounts and detailed reporting.

Right Out of California: The 1930s and the Big Business Roots of Modern Conservatism by Kathryn Olmsted Traces the origins of modern conservative movement to California's agricultural industry's response to labor unrest during the Great Depression.

The Invisible Bridge: The Fall of Nixon and the Rise of Reagan by Rick Perlstein Follows the political transformation from Watergate through Reagan's 1976 campaign, documenting the shift in American conservatism.

🗂️ The book is the fourth and final volume in Perlstein's series chronicling the rise of modern conservatism, following "Before the Storm," "Nixonland," and "The Invisible Bridge" 🎬 Ronald Reagan's path to the presidency included working as a GE spokesman, during which he gave over 4,000 speeches to company employees, helping refine his political message and public speaking skills 📊 The book details how evangelical Christians became a major political force during this period, with groups like the Moral Majority transforming from primarily religious organizations to significant political players 🌍 The Iranian hostage crisis, which began in November 1979, takes up nearly 200 pages of the book, showing how this international crisis reshaped American politics and helped pave the way for Reagan's victory 📚 At 1,120 pages, this volume is the longest of Perlstein's series and draws from thousands of sources, including previously unused materials from Jimmy Carter's presidential library