For those seeking a broad sweep of American history, politics, sociology and culture in the 1980s, this book is essential. The author surveys the decade, teasing out themes of fundamental realignment of American life in politics and public policy, as well as portraying changes in the cultural and sociological landscape. Without using the expression “Reagan Revolution,” the author highlights both the dynamic changes of the 1980s and their downsides, although on occasion the author's analyses could have been clearer.

Collins uses narrative to bring the decade to life. For example, in the chapter on American business he uses the almost-forgotten financial scandals surrounding Boesky's and Milken's corrupt practices to examine the sea changes in American business practices brought about by deregulation, capital markets and globalization. For some, there may be too much focus upon narrative in each chapter. However, the author is consistently fair and objective in exploring both sides of every case discussed. The book has the additional merits of clarity and brevity.

There are omissions. In dealing with the economy, there is no clear definition or explanation of “supply-side” economics, nor does the author explain “trickle-down” for what it was, i.e. a tax benefit for the rich on a hitherto untold scale. In analysing Reagan's strengths, there is scant mention of the President's communication skills and, surprisingly, the blueprint created by Reagan's advisers for handling the media is ignored. As Reagan's media methods have been used and refined by later Presidents, the omission of this seminal aspect of Reagan's presidency is surprising.

The book would have benefited from some careful editing. The Iran–Contra scandal, which occupied much of Reagan's time in his second term, is dealt with in the final, summarizing chapter, not in the foreign-policy chapter. In addition, blowback issues, such as arming the Taliban in Afghanistan and business deregulation, both of which have caused serious problems to the current administration, receive little or no analysis.

The sections on culture and social problems are convincing, in particular the way in which AIDS crept up on an unsuspecting American society. In contrast, the chapter on postmodernism is confusing, suffering from a lack of definition or focus. The author accepts the term is “ephemeral” (147).

The book is a valuable contribution to the examination of an era of American life and times. Presumably, it seeks to attract a wide audience with its approach. Detailed endnotes and a comprehensive index are a bonus but, oddly, there is no bibliography. Any student of the period would benefit from having this book both for general reference and for a lively, informative read.