Diaries of Ronald Reagan to be published

The White House diaries of Ronald Reagan, the late U.S. president, will be published next year.

Publishing house HarperCollins has secured the rights to the diaries, and will make them available to the public in a single volume with the cooperation of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Foundation.

"When we left Sacramento [for Washington], we felt the time passed so quickly, we could hardly remember the eight years," said former first lady Nancy Reagan.

"When Ronnie became president, he wanted to write it all down so we could remember these special times."

Reagan apparently spent a part of each day in the White House making a handwritten record of his presidency.

"Although they were not initially intended for publication, we feel that these volumes offer an unprecedented insight into the Reagan presidency," said Frederick J. Ryan, who chairs the foundation that bears Reagan's name.

Reagan died last year at the age of 93 after a 10-year battle with Alzheimer's disease. President from 1980 to 1988, he left behind no memoir.

A Republican, Reagan was lauded by his supporters for his sunny optimism and faith in America's possibilities. His opponents labeled him a warmonger who wrecked the U.S. economy by running up massive deficits.

"To read these personal diaries is a remarkable experience," said Jane Friedman, head of HarperCollins. "This book will shine a new light on the character of a true American leader, and we're delighted to be able to publish such a momentous work."

According to a news release, Reagan's "distinctive wit, intelligence, warmth and humor are evident on each page of the most detailed presidential diaries in America's history."

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, located in Simi Valley, Calif., will put the original copies of the diaries on display for the public to view.