Ronald Reagan had a remarkable rise from poverty to Hollywood fame and eventually the U.S. presidency. The biography details Reagan's childhood in small Midwest towns, his early popularity as a lifeguard, and his determination to attend college despite coming from a poor family. Reagan's charm helped launch a career in radio and lead to an unexpected move to Hollywood. The book provides a richly detailed and balanced account of Reagan's entire life and career, from his years in Hollywood to his terms as California governor and president, shedding new light on the strengths and limitations of this iconic political figure.