WHERE'S THE REST OF ME: The Ronald Reagan Story
Signed first edition of the memoir that helped launch Reagan's political career.
Near fine in a near fine jacket.
Price: $3,500.00
WHERE'S THE REST OF ME: The Ronald Reagan Story
"The days stretch ahead with promise. The city closes in on the ranch — we prowl the countryside scouting a new location. I should turn to the sages for some profound utterance to close out these words. Still, it is more fitting that a remark by the King of the actors, Clark Gable, sticks in my mind. Clark said, 'The most important thing a man can know is that, as he approaches his own door, someone on the other side is listening for the sound of his footsteps.'"
Released in advance of Reagan's run for California governor the following year, and titled after the actor's most famous line (from the movie KING'S ROW), Reagan's autobiography was the first step in his journey to the White House: "Reagan was defining his image [...] He surely saw [the book's] political potential. John F. Kennedy's PROFILES IN COURAGE and Goldwater's CONSCIENCE OF A CONSERVATIVE had proved that campaign books could stir interest and shape images" (Craig Fehrman). The book went on to sell more than 200,000 copies and helped establish Reagan's reputation as not merely an actor. As critic Marjory Adams of THE BOSTON GLOBE accurately assessed the book at the time: "WHERE'S THE REST OF ME may make Ronald Reagan governor of California." Signed copies of the first printing are uncommon.
Read more: Fehrman, "The Forgotten Book That Launched the Reagan Revolution," The LA Times, Feb. 9, 2020.
The Object
First printing. New York: Duell, Sloan and Pearce, (1965). 8'' x 5.25''. Original full black cloth. In original unclipped ($5.95) pictorial jacket designed by Ned Glattauer. [8], 316 pages. Signed by Reagan in a contemporary hand on the front free endpaper. In addition, as was his custom on this title, Reagan has crossed out "Honey" on the dedication page and written "Nancy" above. Jacket spine lightly sunned. Couple of small chips, bit of toning. Slight lean, tiny spot of soil on endpaper. Else bright and sound.
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