The wording I have referenced requires an explanation. Why did President Reagan become aware? How did President Reagan become aware? When did President Reagan become aware? President Reagan receives the credit for ending the cold war in much the same way Columbus received the credit for discovering America. They each deserve the credit because they were the ones who made it stick.
My opinion on President Reagan's involvement in ending the cold war goes like this. Reagan enters office and is presented with a report of the Soviet Union's strengths. This report is presented to each President upon entering office so the president can know which government programs are required to counter those Soviet strengths.
What President Reagan did different was to ask for another report, one no previous President had requested. President Reagan requested a report on the Soviet's weaknesses. It was not President Reagan's goal to merely contain the Soviet Union; his goal was its collapse.
I would suggest reading the book itself,rather than relying on my week-later precise.