In At Reagan's Side, Reagan scholars Jeff Chidester and Stephen Knott compile excerpts from interviews of top Reagan officials. Through the Miller Center's Ronald Reagan Oral History Project, Chidester and Knott show readers the life of the "Great Communicator" through the eyes of both famous and lesser-known administration insiders like James Baker, Edwin Meese, Peter Hannaford, Caspar Weinberger, and Joanne Drake. At Reagan's Side offers unique, behind-the-scenes glimpses into the candidacy and election of Ronald Reagan, chronicling his run for and subsequent election to public office as Governor of California, and later, as President of the United States.

"With both fondness and a clear effort at objectivity, the authors largely let the interviewees speak for themselves, including high-ranking officials like Caspar Weinberger, Edwin Meese and James Baker. Discussion is candid, but often contradictory; indeed, the most interesting and revealing moments of the book come from the discrepancies, invariably tied to the era’s most famous controversies: SDI, Iran-Contra, the Cold War." - Publishers Weekly

"The book is full of insights into Reagan's character and principles and the achievements and failures of the Reagan years. It also offers behind-the-scenes surprises, such as a moment of praise from Reagan for Jesse Jackson....Many will find it useful." - Library Journal

"Beginning in 2001, scholars of the Miller Center of Public Affairs at the University of Virginia conducted an oral history of Ronald Reagan's political years, beginning with his first campaign for governor of California through his last public speech in 1993...Mr. Knott and Mr. Chidester...intersperse their narrative with quotations — short and long — from the oral history interviewees. These comments provide colorful, lively texture to the Reagan story. Here are insights into his thinking, his character and his management style...At Reagan's Side is good reading from cover to cover and adds positively to the Reagan library." - The Washington Times