Nancy Reagan: The Unauthorized Biography by Kitty Kelley

                                              While shelving some biographies the other week, I came across Kitty Kelley’s Nancy Reagan, The Unauthorized Biography.  “An oldie but goodie,” I thought,  ”This will be dishy and trashy about someone you love to hate: a spoiled, dictatorial, self-involved, vain, rich woman with too much of everything.”

    Kitty Kelley goes into a subject digging for dirt and generally finds it.  Yes, Nancy Reagan had questionable power over the country via her control over her husband. Yes, she consulted expensive astrologists.  Yes, the tiny virago swung a hefty ax, toppling some of the most influential men in her husband’s sphere.

    However, who among us could stand up to a personality assassin’s scrutiny and come out unscathed? Very few, I’m sure. 

When I read a biography, I often learn as much about myself as I do the subject.  This was less an exposé than a picture of a human being who is prey to the frailties and temptations that flew out of Pandora’s box. The author’s perceptions and interpretations of events could be applied toward the events of anyone’s life, and show him/her in an unfavourable light. I have to wonder, “Who is doing Kitty Kelley’s biography?”

    Not trying to defend nor hail First Lady Reagan, but, in expecting a page turner, I found a “turner-off”.  The spirit in which the book is written is less about documenting history, and more about the author’s motivation: $$

Rita – York                                        ISBN  067164646x