Nancy: A Portrait of My Years with Nancy Reagan

Candid, moving, and insightful, this book offers the most personal look at Nancy Davis Reagan ever published. She was the daughter of a single mother, a Hollywood movie star, and the wife of one of the greatest presidents of the twentieth century. A cancer survivor, she now faces her greatest challenge: her husband's Alzheimer's disease. Mike Deaver, who has known Nancy since the 1960s, reveals the side of her that only her intimates recognize. Many people hold misconceptions about Nancy, shaped by negative media portrayals that focus on her wealth, fashion, and trivialities. Pundits have labeled her with unflattering nicknames, but the Nancy Deaver knows is far more complex. She is a woman of immense will and fortitude, who, despite her husband's prominence, has played a significant role in their fifty-year marriage. Nancy believes Ronald Reagan was a great man who changed history, and Deaver argues that he would not have achieved such distinction without her support. Initially intimidated by politics, Nancy gradually embraced her role, providing discipline and asking tough questions during pivotal moments. She fiercely protected his image and offered him unconditional love, becoming his comfort and respite. Now, as she cares for him in his decline, Nancy embodies the roles of caretaker, guardian, and nurturer of the Reagan legacy.