Source of book image: http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/0688146139.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_V1056466100_.jpg
Reagan was smart and disciplined. That was one of the main messages of Mike Deaver’s book. But in these pages, there is much additional evidence. See, especially, the essay by Martin Anderson.
Also, Lee Edwards talks about one of his early encounters with the Reagans; he visited their home, and he was especially anxious to see Reagan’s library. He saw a large library with dog-eared, heavily annotated books. He also mentions quizing the GE manager (CEO?) who used to travel by train with Reagan to visit GE plants. Edwards asked what Reagan did during the train trips. The GE manager reported that Reagan devoured books, periodicals, and reports, taking extensive notes on his index cards.
(Sounds like Reagan could have used a computer, and would have made a great blogger?)
The reference for the book is:
Hannaford, Peter, ed. Recollections of Reagan: A Portrait of Ronald Reagan: William Morrow & Company, 1997.