"As both a historical document and a personal memoir, Behind the Scenes is one of the most intimate and revealing portraits of President Reagan's long pursuit of the presidency... The book analyzes the unique attributes and personal style that were turned to Reagan's advantage. Deaver was a confident of Nancy and Ronald Reagan for more than twenty years and was a member of the Reagan team during its ascendance. As a member of the Deaver/Baker/Meese troika, Deaver's involvement in key historical events was extensive... Finally, Behind the Scenes tells of one man's battle with his personal demons and the tantalizing and overwhelming seduction of power. His decline, like that of many in Washington, was quick, relentless, and public - a fall that was exacerbated - but not caused - by his secret alcoholism. No history of this era would be complete without the information found in this book, while important as a volume of history, also tells a personal and involving story."