There are two categories of people to whom I would recommend Why I Am a Reagan Conservative — Reaganites and the people who hate them.

Compiled by former Reagan Deputy Chief of Staff Michael Deaver, the book is a collection of essays by more than 50 politicians, journalists and think-tankers — mostly men — explaining when and why they became Ronald Reagan converts. At least, that’s the general theme, even though a number of essays don’t mention the late president at all, several are mostly an indictment of liberalism and some are examples of cut-and-paste stump speeches.

If you are a Reaganite, this is the ideal reference book, much like former President Bill Clinton’s My Life is for those on the other side of the aisle. The book is not something you want to read cover to cover, but if you need to reaffirm your beliefs in the late president or return to your roots there will be a chapter to satisfy you.

As Deaver writes, “history will record Reagan as the man who beat the communists without firing a missile, freed countless humans from the yoke of tyranny, and changed the way America looked at itself.” Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) declares, “Reagan conservatism demonstrates true compassion to those struggling in America.” For the believer, the book is a triumphal, single-word dictionary with 50-plus definitions to choose from.

But there is material to satisfy the skeptic as well, or at least the liberal who lives by the adage “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.”

Consider the following nugget written by Martin Anderson, Reagan’s former chief domestic and economic policy adviser: “Perhaps most important we have learned that the easy-going, smiling Reagan was not an ‘amiable dunce’ as some believed. Behind the friendly fa�ade was a cold brilliance, a razor-sharp mind that knew and understood far more than anyone suspected.” Sound familiar? One has to wonder, will Republicans 40 years from now be asking themselves, “What would Bush do?”

If you don’t care either way, stick to the essays written by actual writers. For example, Atlantic Monthly correspondent P.J. O’Rourke dismisses the “the left” as: “The symbol of universal salvation is an ice cream sundae. We are blessed with an infinite number of cleverly named delicious flavors. But we are required by law to use someone else’s tongue to lick them.”