I think I cheated. I listened to the audio tapes instead of reading the book. I was not bothered in the least by the author's insertion of a fictional character into the story as narrator. In fact, this device kept me from being bored long before Mr. Reagan got to Washington.I was pleased to hear that Mr. Reagan was smarter than many of us thought, and perhaps more simple. I especially liked the diary entries and excerpts of his letters to Nancy. I found it elegantly written and well worth the hours I spent listening.