On tour for her new book “The Time of Our Lives,” Peggy Noonan attracted admirers Sunday afternoon to Barnes & Noble at Lake Sumter Landing.
A Wall Street Journal columnist, the political pundit formerly worked as a speechwriter for President Ronald Reagan in the 1980s, writing Reagan’s memorable speech following the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.
Noonan’s new book is a collection of her writings, never before published articles, and a chronicle of her journalistic and political careers.
“She’s a brilliant speech writer, political commentator,” said Wildwood Continental Country Club resident Annie Otto, who had waited nearly two hours to see the conservative author.
“She’s down to Earth and has all-American values,” Otto said.
Of the many fans that showed up, Jo Roorbach of the Village of Sunbury had her own personal connection with Noonan from working on the Wall Street Journal editorial page in the 1990’s.
The two women shared memories of a Fourth of July event they both attended and reminisced about the work crew they both knew at the Wall Street Journal.
Many of those who lined up to have their books autographed intended to give them away as holiday gifts.
Many bought copies for their own reading pleasure, such as Village of Glenbrook residents Tom and Beth Bender.
After the meet and greet was over, Villages-News.com had the opportunity to speak with Noonan.
In her most recent WSJ article, “Uncertain Leadership in Perilous Times,” Noonan discussed the need for a leader who embodied qualities similar to those of President Reagan in order to confront the issue of Islamic terrorism.
When asked which presidential candidate would be fit to lead America in this age of terrorism, she said there is still a year to go and that we are “still watching, judging, and observing.” She added that she hopes America will choose a leader who will be bold enough to stand up to future threats.
As for her visit to Florida’s Friendliest Hometown, the best-selling novelist called it a “fabulous book signing” and said she gives “two thumbs up” for The Villages and Barnes & Noble for doing a great job.
