Exciting News! New Book Club Episode: Sarah Isgur Interviews Del Wilber on ‘Rawhide Down’

Attempted assassination of Ronald Reagan.

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Dear Book Club Members,

We are thrilled to announce the release of our latest podcast episode, featuring an interview with renowned author Del Wilber.

In this episode, we delve into the captivating pages of Del Wilber’s book Rawhide Down: The Near Assassination of Ronald Reagan. As you may know, Rawhide Down provides a detailed and riveting account of the events surrounding the attempted assassination of President Reagan. Del Wilber’s meticulous research and engaging storytelling bring this historical moment to life, offering new insights and shedding light on the courage and resilience demonstrated during that fateful day.

This episode promises to be an immersive experience, capturing the essence of Rawhide Down while uncovering the intricate details that lie within its pages.

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  1. Avatar photo
    Stomaino

    In terms of consequential political assassinations, how about RFK. He would have been the likely Democratic nominee and could have won? What would he have done in Vietnam? Also, obviously, there would have been no Watergate.

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    Scott S

    Thank you for making this one of the choices. I really enjoyed this book and learned a lot.

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    Dr. Livesey

    Maybe I just forgot about the descriptions of the Reagan book when it came out, but what Del Wilbur relates in the podcast was surprising and fascinating. I'm so glad I listened.

    Reagan's survival seemed to break the spell of presidents dying in office after being elected (or re-elected) in 20-year intervals. It started with William Harrison, elected in 1840 (he lasted only a month in August). Harrison was followed by Lincoln (1860), Garfield (1880), McKinley (1900), Harding (1920), FDR (1940), Kennedy (1960). And, as Wilbur relates, Reagan (1980) came within a hairsbreadth of being killed. Then George W. Bush was elected in 2000 and survived just fine. I hope the same for Biden (2020).

    It's all a coincidence, but it's eerie, nonetheless. A bit like John Adams and Thomas Jefferson dying the same day, on the 50th anniversary of July 4th, no less, or the subtle twists of fate that saved the U.S. at various times, including that providential fog that allowed Washington's troops to escape Long Island after the Battle of Brooklyn. It would all make for an interesting fantasy novel, maybe with a curse put on Harrison and future chiefs of the U.S. by Tecumseh (or Tecumseh's prophet brother).

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  4. Billcodus

    I recently listened to an amazing 2013 book on the Lindbergh baby kidnapping: “The 16th Rail” by Adam Schrager, which details how a wood expert employee of the U.S. Forest Service in Madison, Wisconsin was the Sherlock Holmes who solved this case.

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  5. Ddoth54

    That was a terrific book choice. I hadn’t read it before the review—but I’m downloading it now. Thanks so much!

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