Join us at roosevelt house as we welcome thomas mallon, one of the finest historical novelists at work today, who will discuss his new book finale. Finale captures the crusading ideologies, blunders, and glamour of the stillhotlydebated reagan years, taking readers to the political gridiron of washington, the wealthiest enclaves of southern california, and the volcanic landscape of iceland, where the president engages in two almost apocalyptic days of negotiation with mikhail gorbachev. Finale quotes by thomas mallon goodreads share book. Thomas mallon born november 2, 1951 is an american novelist, essayist, and critic. He was very engaging, funny, and showed a rare gift for mimicry, evoking the voices of ronald reagan, richard nixon, and a few other historical figures from the mid to late 1980s. This, you know, this novels not an apology for the reagan years.
Nancy reagan is a complete nervous wreck, tortured by the premonitions and prophesies of her. Watergate, is a splendid example of the genre at its best. And so began our small literary friendship that has resulted in my continued interest and appreciation of his novels and thus a number of interview conversations. A novel of the reagan years reprint by thomas mallon isbn. Our current presidency is more like fiction than ever seemed possible a. Nixon watched it, the usual mixture of feelings stirred in him. A novel of the reagan years kindle edition by thomas. My acquaintance with thomas mallon began about twenty years ago when i discovered his novel henry and clara, his riveting novel about the couple seated next to abraham lincoln when he was assassinated at the ford theater. A novel of the reagan years kindle edition by mallon, thomas. Persons real and fictional puzzle over ronald reagan in. So, no surprise, mallons three most recent novels watergate. Finale captures the crusading ideologies, blunders and glamour of the stillhotlydebated ronald reagan years, taking readers to the political gridiron of washington, the wealthiest enclaves of southern california, and the volcanic landscape of iceland, where the president engages in two almost apocalyptic days of negotiation with mikhail gorbachev. A novel of the reagan years audiobook by thomas mallon. Famously called the teflon president, reagan may be less elusive to historical fiction than he was to the days headlines.
The questions, discussion topics, and reading list that follow are intended to enhance your reading groups discussion of finale. A novel of the reagan years thats packed with reallife barbs. In this novel, mallon watergate fixes his wideangle historical lens on the presidency of ronald reagan, in particular the events leading up to the expose of the irancontra affair in 1986. San francisco chronicle, the daily beast, the miami herald, st. His wife, nancy, who confers with her astrologer about the presidents actions and with merv griffin on everything.
A novel of the reagan years by thomas mallon from amazons fiction books store. Persons real and fictional puzzle over ronald reagan in finale nprs linda wertheimer interviews thomas mallon about his new work of historical fiction. A novel of the reagan years by thomas mallon goodreads. A novel of the reagan years is full of witty, sometimes withering and often surprisingly. We see the prime actors of the reagan years as they try to negotiate an arms control agreement and an acceptance on the part of the soviets of star. Louis postdispatch before there was reagan the conservative icon, there was reagan the president. Finale takes listeners to the political gridiron of washington in 1986, the wealthiest enclaves of southern california, and the volcanic landscape of iceland, where the president engages in two. The story begins in 1976 and ends in 1996 covering events that preceded ronald reagan s election as president until his increasing decline related to dementia. A novel of the reagan years is full of witty, sometimes withering and often surprisingly sympathetic portraits of the characters clustered around the everunknowable president.
For those readers who have lived through the reagan years, finale, a novel of the reagan years by thomas mallon will almost seem more heavily weighted towards history than historical fiction. A novel of the reagan years, one of the new york times 100. Stream and download audiobooks to your computer, tablet or mobile phone. The book is the fictionalized account of the tumultuous administration of the most consequential and enigmatic president of modern times. Reagan is preparing for his second summit with gorbachev on nuclear disarmament. The acknowledgments page may seem an odd starting point for assessing a novel, but in the case of thomas mallons finale, set during ronald. A novel of the reagan years, john carter brown, director of the national gallery of art, and pamela harriman, the oftenmarried socialite. The acknowledgments page may seem an odd starting point for assessing a novel, but in the case of thomas mallons finale, set during ronald reagan s second term as president, it is a useful place to begin.
Mallon then began publishing fiction, a genre in which hed informally dabbled. Readers of finale, thomas mallons sly and penetrating ninth novel, are well aware that the book s protagonist, the nations 40th president, is destined to be revered as the republican. A novel of the reagan years at a book reading at a local independent bookstore. This novel of the reagan years shows how the 40th president dominated those around him without revealing himself. Vintage thomas mallons chatty, clever, often deliciously wicked finale.
From the author of the acclaimed novel watergate comes a galvanizing new novel about the tumultuous administration of the most consequential and enigmatic president of modern timesronald reagan. Chicago tribune a splendid example of the genre at its best. Finale a new york times notable book a washington post notable book one of the best books of the year. Finale takes listeners to the political gridiron of washington in 1986, the wealthiest enclaves of southern california, and the volcanic landscape of iceland, where the president engages in two almost. Set mostly in 1986 and 1987, it is a political drama. A novel of the reagan years mallons latest novel adds to a fiction chronicle that has already spanned american history from the lincoln assassination, in henry and clara, to the watergate scandal, and brings to life the tumultuous. Using his strength within in the historical fiction genre, mallon parachutes the reader into the life of. A new york times notable book a washington post notable book one of the best books of the year. Several weeks ago, i had the delight of seeing the author of finale. Using his strength within in the historical fiction genre, mallon parachutes the reader into the life of ronald reagan at a time when the world was watching, and holding their collective breath. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. A novel of the reagan years and millions of other books are available for instant access.
From the author of the acclaimed novel watergate comes a galvanizing new novel about the tumultuous administration of the most consequential and enigmatic president of modern times ronald reagan. Reykjavik, gorbachev, star wars, iran, contras, aids. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. Finale is the book that thomas mallons work has been building toward for years. Christopher lane from the author of the acclaimed novel watergate comes a galvanizing new novel about the tumultuous administration of the most consequential and enigmatic president of modern timesronald reagan. A new york times notable book a washington post notable book one of the best books of the. Captures the crusading ideologies, blunders, and glamour of the stillhotlydebated reagan years, taking readers to the political gridiron of washington, the wealthiest enclaves of southern california, and the volcanic landscape of iceland, where the president engages in two almost apocalyptic days of negotiation with mikhail gorbachevdust jacket flap. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading finale. It is the most entertaining and panoramic novel about american politics since advise and consent, more than a. A novel of the reagan years, thomas mallon 2015 july 21, 2016 by bob reutenauer engrossing pageturner novel of contemporary political fiction allowing vivid insight to the critical sequence of recent history that unfolded on the world stage mid way through reagan s second term. Gorbachev, thatcher, the gipper himselfthe gangs all here and.