Movie Nights with the Reagans

A Memoir

By: Mark Weinberg, Mark Weinberg - introduction

Narrated by: George Newbern

The former special advisor and press secretary to President Ronald Reagan shares a “sentimental but often revealing…enjoyable walk down Memory Lane” (Kirkus Reviews)—told through the movies he watched with the Reagans every week at Camp David.

Over the course of eight years, Mark Weinberg travelled to Camp David with Ronald and Nancy Reagan as they screened movies on Friday and Saturday nights. They watched movies in times of triumph, such as the aftermath of Reagan’s 1984 landslide, and after moments of tragedy, such as the explosion of the Challenger and the shooting of the President and Press Secretary Jim Brady.

Weinberg’s unparalleled access offers a rare glimpse of the Reagans—unscripted, relaxed, unburdened by the world, with no cameras in sight. Each chapter discusses a legendary film, what the Reagans thought of it, and provides warm anecdotes and untold stories about his family and the administration. From Reagan’s pranks on the Secret Service to his thoughts on the parallels between Hollywood and Washington, Weinberg paints a full picture of the president The New Yorker once famously dubbed “The Unknowable.”

A “meander through a simpler time capturing a different time and a different president” (USA TODAY), Movie Nights with the Reagans is a nostalgic journey through the 1980s and its most iconic films, seen through the eyes of one of Hollywood’s former stars: one who was simultaneously transforming the Republican Party, the American economy, and the course of the Cold War. “For those equally enthused about movies and the fortieth president, this book will serve as a welcome change from today’s political climate” (Publishers Weekly).

Insight Into Weekends At Camp David

Longtime Reagan aide Mark Weinberg takes weekend movie nights at Camp David and uses them to illustrate some of his recollections of the Reagan years in the White House. The recent release Inside Camp David offers a first glimpse at President and Mrs. Reagan's nightly movie screenings at Camp David and the Reagan Library has a full list of the 300+ movies they watched while in office.

Reagan invited Camp David personnel, aides and others in to watch a film on Friday and Saturday evenings at the Camp. After the film the President would discuss the finer points of it (and moviemaking) with those in attendance. Each film or handful of films mentioned in the book reflect a chapter and are used to relate them to larger segments of the President's policies or an anecdote (or both).

It's an interesting read with some great recollections from one of the only members of the Reagan staff to serve all 8 years (and the first few years of the post-Presidency).

Back to the future, and the past.

I have the audible edition, and it was like sitting around a campfire listening to some of your best memories. The 1980s, the Reagans, the music and pop culture, all here, with little doses of good natured politics, wrapped up with a personal touch.

Being a fan of everything 80s, it's fun to hear about how other perceived it, and especially how it relates to the Reagans.

This was a wonderful journey back, fantastic.

a walk with the Reagan's what a journey

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was another piece of the puzzle in understanding who Ronald Reagan was how he thought and what shape him.

We miss the Regans!

It was fun listening to what was happening in the world of politics at the time these movies were released. Also to hear how gracious the Regans were to the staff that serviced them during their time in the public eye. We enjoyed listening to the book on a road trip to Colorado.

Honest insight into the Reagans

I enjoyed this more than I expected. Presented the Reagans as real people, unlike the press.