Turning Points—Actual and Alternate Histories

This fascinating work is a series of explorations of key events in the adminstrations of Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush, each of which speculates on what might have happened if events had unfolded differently. The Reagan Era explores a time that saw the rise of the political conservatism that has dominated U.S. politics in recent years, as well as the end of the Cold War, which drove American foreign policy for nearly a half century. What if Jimmy Carter had successfully navigated the energy shortage and the Iranian hostage crisis? What if the assassination attempt on Reagan had succeed? What if Iran–Contra had not become a scandal? These are among the specific topics examined in the book, which looks at 11 crucial events and speculates on the effects of alternative outcomes. By showing how easily the world might be different, The Reagan Era reveals the lasting impact of that era's defining moments.