He'd made a name for himself out there in the world beyond not just in spite of the distinctly unfashionable persona he presented, but, perhaps, BECAUSE of it.

Staffers tend to mimic their bosses, to take their key from them.

He was making the inevitable pivot from critic to manager.

He was experienced enough to spot the downside of doing the right thing.

Historically, the coupling of president and Speaker has been a tricky one that encourages a choreography both quick-footed and wary

The Russian people were just like us. They were victims of their own government. Ronald Reagan

Shared history was the coin of the realm.

Anecdotes came with his DNA.

The author deduces the best way James Baker serve Reagan as Chief of Staff was to continually remind him why he wanted to be president.

In politics there is a large difference between loosing and being defeated.

The author, at the time a Carter speechwriter in the 1980 campaign, showed visible distress at his boss's performance and was warned by a friend in the traveling press, lest he become the story.

I was amazed at how strong women were when they were angry.

Prayer is powerful, but prayer combined with action creates miracles.

Re-position yourself.To change your situation change your position

A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon.

If someone has been escaping reality, I don't expect him to dig my music.

I know exactly where I've come from, I know exactly who my mum and dad are.

I realized the other day that I've lived in New York longer than I've lived anywhere else. It's amazing: I am a New Yorker. It's strange; I never thought I would be.

The law cannot make a wicked person virtuous…God’s grace alone can accomplish such a thing.

I drank water from your spring and felt the current take me.

There are times when the best writing you can do is to go for a walk or drive, a long drive is ideal.