Book excerpt: Ronald Reagan's political career and his status as a cultural icon have been observed from every angle, but his role as a father to his daughter has been seen only in the harsh light of Patti's well-publicized tensions with Nancy Reagan. But now Patti Davis has reconciled with her mother and the catalyst was Angels Don't Die. In fact, her parents were so touched by the book they have contributed introductory comments. Angels Don't Die is a moving tribute to Ronald Reagan's spiritual strength and offers an intimate portrait that will appeal to people everywhere who admire the Reagans as well as to anyone contending with the challenges of parent-child relationships. Putting aside past hurts and misunderstandings, Patti Davis writes lyrically of the lessons she learned from watching her father cope with the various crises in his life. She writes of his forgiveness of John Hinckley, Reagan's would-be assassin, and of his near-death experience following surgery. She reveals Ronald Reagan to be a simple, quietly heroic man whose faith in God has never wavered.