William Inboden - The Peacemaker: Ronald Reagan, the Cold War, and the World on the Brink

THE PEACEMAKER

A luminous examination of one of the most consequential yet elusive figures in modern US and world history. Years in the making and based on a vast array of sources, The Peacemaker is a richly textured work of broad scope and deep analytical power. Critics no less than supporters of Reagan and his foreign policies should read Inbodens provocative, absorbing book.

Fredrik Logevall, Pulitzer Prizewinning author of Embers of War: The Fall of an Empire and the Making of Americas Vietnam

William Inbodens The Peacemaker makes the strongest case yet for Reagan as a successful grand strategist. Clearly written, thoroughly researched, full of fresh information, this comprehensive account will shape all future studies of the role the United States played in ending the Cold War.

John Lewis Gaddis, Pulitzer Prizewinning author of George F. Kennan: An American Life

William Inboden has written a remarkable, singular book on Ronald Reagans foreign policy and, specifically, on his determination from the outset of his presidency to be a peacemaker even as he pursued the collapse of the Soviet Union. Inbodens careful documentation and analysis of how Reagan developed and implemented this dual and seemingly paradoxical strategy will confound both the left and the right today, just as Reagan did while he was president. Inboden makes a compelling case that Reagancriticized by the left as a warmonger, by the right as too soft, and by most of the foreign policy establishment as naive, unrealistic, and ill-informedwas in fact an extraordinarily successful grand strategist in pursuit of his twin goals. And deeply committed to avoiding a nuclear holocaust. The Peacemaker is an important contribution to understanding Reagans foreign policy and is, at the same time, a great read.

Robert M. Gates, CIA deputy director 19821989, secretary of defense 20062011, and #1 New York Times bestselling author of Duty: Memoirs of a Secretary at War

[A] mesmerizing book... so easy to pick up and keep reading, so hard to put down... [with an] impressive range of archival, oral, and published sources that buttress every chapter.

Paul Kennedy, New York Times bestselling author of The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers

Ronald Reagan was one of the most consequential presidents in US history. And this is the most consequential book yet written on his foreign policy. There is no better guide than William Inboden to the remarkable turn of events that ended the Cold Warand Reagans unique role in bringing them about.

Hal Brands, author of The Twilight Struggle: What the Cold War Teaches Us About Great-Power Rivalry Today

William Inboden has made a major contribution to our understanding of the Reagan presidency and the twilight of the Cold War era. Meticulously researched, vividly detailed, crisply paced, and judiciously argued, The Peacemaker paints a compelling portrait of a president with deep (often religiously grounded) convictions, steadfast purpose, and surprisingly deft diplomatic skills. Inbodens account has persuaded even this initially skeptical reader to rethink Reagans foreign-policy record and give him his due as a visionary architect of the Cold Wars conclusion. A landmark study in the character and consequence of transformative leadership.

David M. Kennedy, Pulitzer Prizewinning author of Freedom from Fear: The American People in Depression and War, 19291945

President Reagans commitment to the negotiated surrender of the Soviet Union entailed turning their strengths into liabilities while revivifying Americas economy, military, alliances, and confidence, integrating power and diplomacy. This landmark book provides a long-overdue reconsideration of grand strategy in the Reagan administration, casting light on the degree of difficulty associated with reviving the geopolitical fortunes of the free world. It also reveals the centrality of religious faith in President Reagans worldview. William Inboden has achieved something wonderful in conjuring the past so skillfully with this excellent book.

Kori Schake, author of Safe Passage: The Transition from British to American Hegemony

A timely reminder of Ronald Reagans strategy for advancing peace through strength in a world where, as he famously said: A nuclear war cannot be won, and it must never be fought.

Graham Allison, Douglas Dillon Professor of Government at Harvard University and author of Destined for War: Can America and China Escape Thucydidess Trap?

William Inboden has written the book on Ronald Reagans national security policy. As Americans stare down the possibility of a Beijing-led twenty-first century, we would do well to learn from Ronald Reagan. Taking office during a time of anxiety and doubt not unlike our own, Reagan defeated Soviet communism and enlarged the free world. Reagan navigated hard choices, fierce criticism, political divisions, and the constant threat of nuclear destruction to win the Cold War and leave a legacy that endures today. Like no author before, William Inboden rekindles Americas familiar story with deft prose, a gripping narrative, and new insights in every chapter of this definitive account.

Senator Ben Sasse

William Inboden has given us the definitive account of Ronald Reagans greatest contribution to world history: his strategy to obtain a negotiated surrender from Soviet leadership that would end the Cold War with a decisive American victory. The Peacemaker is both gripping and meticulously researched. Inboden has dramatically enhanced our understanding of the president who saved America while bringing freedom to millions worldwide.

Representative Mike Gallagher

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Copyright 2022 by William Inboden

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All insert photographs courtesy of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, except where indicated.

library of congress cataloging-in-publication data

Names: Inboden, William, 1972 author.

Title: The peacemaker: Ronald Reagan, the Cold War, and the world on the brink / William Inboden.

Other titles: Ronald Reagan, the Cold War, and the world on the brink

Description: [New York]: Dutton, [2022] | Includes bibliographical references and index. | Identifiers: LCCN 2022001710 (print) | LCCN 2022001711 (ebook) | ISBN 9781524745899 (hardcover) | ISBN 9781524745912 (ebook)

Subjects: LCSH: United StatesForeign relations19811989. | Reagan, Ronald. | National securityUnited StatesDecision MakingHistory20th century. | United StatesForeign RelationsSoviet Union. | Soviet UnionForeign relationsUnited States. | Cold War.