Way Out There In the Blue Reagan, Star Wars and the End of the Cold War [Paperback]

Using the Star Wars missile defense program as a magnifying glass on his presidency, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Frances FitzGerald gives us a wholly original portrait of Ronald Reagan. Drawing on extensive research, FitzGerald shows how Reagan managed to get billions in funding for a program that was technologically impossible by exploiting the fears of the American public. The Reagan who emerges from FitzGerald's book was a gifted politician with a deep understanding of the national psyche, and an executive almost totally disengaged from the policies of his administration. Both appalling and funny,Way Out There in the Blueis the most penetrating study of Reagan's presidency to date.Frances Fitzgeraldis the acclaimed author ofAmerica RevisedandCities on a Hill.Her study of the Vietnam War,Fire in the Lake,was awarded the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award. She lives in New York City.Contents

AUTHOR'S NOTE

ONEThe American Everyman

TWOThe Making of an Orator

THREEDoubling the Volume

FOURSpace Defense Enthusiasts

FIVETo the Star Wars Speech

SIXSelling the Strategic Defense Initiative

SEVENHard-Liners vs. Pragmatists

EIGHTWhat Happened at Reykjavik?

NINEFalling Stars

TENReagan and Gorbachev

ELEVENThe End of the Cold War

AFTERWORDNational Missile Defenses, 1989-99

GLOSSARY

NOTES

BIBLIOGRAPHY

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

INDEXAlan BrinkleyThe New York Times Book ReviewClearly, eloquently and engagingly [told]...One of the best inner histories of the Reagan administration yet to appear.David M. ShribmanThe Boston GlobeOne of the most imaginative chronicles of Ronald Reagan's presidency.James HershbergChicago TribuneA devastating picture of the disarray, drift and acrimonious division that frequently chl#