Trace Wood

An entertaining and accessible exploration of the politics and policies of the Reagan years, and their lasting impact on today’s political polarization.

Today’s political leaders often cite ＂the Reagan years＂ as a benchmark for American success and effective leadership. Galvanized by our opposition to Soviet influence, and lured by the promise of economic prosperity, Reagan’s popularity soared as his political ideologies became lasting policies.

In the years that followed, the legacy of the Reagan Presidency has left an enduring scar on our national history. The Ray Gun Revolution explores the genesis of his political philosophy, his unlikely rise from B-list actor to political power player, the myth of the ＂defeat＂ of the Soviet Empire, the systems of economic disparity that he helped usher in, and the impact this ＂great 20th century leader＂ has left on our struggle to define our national identity today.