Justin D. Garrison provides an original and groundbreaking analysis of Ronald Reagan's imagination as it was expressed mainly in his presidential speeches. He argues that the predominant strain of Reagan's imagination is "chimeric," that is, imbued with a high degree of optimism, romantic dreaminess, naivete, and illusion.

Reagan spoke often about religion, democracy, freedom, conservatism, progress, America's role in the world, the American people, the American Founding, and peace. These are for him important symbols, which together express his general vision of politics and human...

Justin D. Garrison provides an original and groundbreaking analysis of Ronald Reagan s imagination as it was expressed mainly in his presidential speeches. He argues that the predominant strain of Reagan s imagination is "chimeric," that is, imbued with a high degree of optimism, romantic dreaminess, naivete, and illusion.

Reagan spoke often about religion, democracy, freedom, conservatism, progress, America s role in the world, the American people, the American Founding, and peace. These are for him important symbols, which together express his general vision of politics and human...