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Rawhide Down: The Near Assassination Of Ronald Reagan (2011)

by Del Quentin Wilber(Favorite Author)

4.11 of 5 Votes: 1

ISBN

080509346X (ISBN13: 9780805093469)

languge

English

genre

Memoir & Autobiography

publisher

Henry Holt and Co.

review 1: I loved this book because I remember when Ronald Reagan was shot and I vaguely remember that the guy who shot him was trying to impress some celebrity but yet I had no idea of the real and very complex story behind the assassination attempt. This book cleared it all up in a very compelling way - I could not put it down! An added bonus for me, a nurse, was the background of the evolution of trauma care in the US. What a great and fascinating read. Get it!
review 2: This is a very engaging behind the scenes look at the day President Reagan was shot. It does not delve into Reagan’s policies, but gives almost a minute by minute account of that day.In addition to the shooting itself, the author looks at the main personalities that were involved. John Hinkley an... mored how he came to be there, the doctors and nurses at George Washington Hospital, the Secret Service Agents and of course President Reagan.Mr. Wilber brings the chaos that was the emergency room/trauma center to life. The deep concern of the Medical Personnel when they couldn’t stop the bleeding, Pres Reagan lost more than half his blood, the calmness of the surgeon in the operating room when he couldn’t find the bullet in his lung.He also discusses some of the coincidences that happened. These include Agent Parr, the lead agent of the Security detail deciding at the last minute to accompany the President to the Hilton Hotel, the fact that George Washington Hospital had just recently been upgrade to a level one trauma center, Agent Parr’s decision not to go to the White House and go directly to the hospital instead.The confusion around who was in charge is also discussed as well as its ramifications to Sec Haig, as well as the disastrous press conferences, when people who were not used to dealing with the Washington Press Corps tried to give press briefings. For me, Pres Reagan is definitely the star of the book. The author brings him to life! He is portrayed as one having grace under pressure. His line about the medical staff being Republican was used twice, once when he first arrived in the emergency room and later in the operating room. Later when talking to one of his nurses, asking her if Nancy knows about them.This is a fairly slim volume (appox 225 pages) and I was captivated by it. I read it in one sitting. I highly recommend this book. less

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