This work investigates the efficacy and long-term impact of the Reagan administration's policies during its initial years in office. Laurence I. Barrett, a veteran White House correspondent for Time magazine, utilizes his direct access to the administration to evaluate the political and economic strategies of the era. The book provides a detailed assessment of how the Reagan team navigated the complexities of domestic and foreign policy, weighing the administration's stated objectives against the practical outcomes of their legislative and diplomatic efforts.

Critics and historians often cite this work as a valuable primary account of the Reagan era due to the author's proximity to the events described. Readers frequently note the journalistic tone of the prose, which prioritizes objective reporting over partisan interpretation.