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Riding With Reagan: From the White House to the Ranch
It is an image etched in the minds of a generation: Ronald Reagan perched atop his horse, riding through the dusty trails and canyons of his California ranch with his beloved wife, Nancy, at his side. But what most of us did not see was the man who always rode just a few steps away.
John Barletta was a Vietnam veteran and Secret Service agent who spent over a decade with the Reagans, poised to give his own life at any moment to save the 40th president of the United States. His superior riding skills made Barletta the perfect choice to protect Reagan during his frequent visits to the ranch. Over time, he got to know Reagan as few others did. But what did these two men talk about during their long solitary hours on horseback--and how did they become the unlikeliest of friends and confidants?
In Riding With Reagan, John Barletta shares his one-of-a-kind memories of the President, painting a picture of a relaxed Reagan at his very best. Through his eyes, we see a rugged man who thrived outdoors, deeply loved his wife and children, and was a prankster at heart. Barletta recalls watching Reagan take pleasure in clearing the brush from the grounds, spending quiet time with Nancy, and entertaining world figures like Mikhail Gorbachev and Queen Elizabeth, both of whom were surprised by the spare simplicity of the Reagan ranch.
Barletta also recalls the sad times: watching a once-robust Reagan fade into the dark shadows of Alzheimer's disease, and the painful moment when he had to tell the former president that his days of horseback riding had come to an end.
Poignant and candid, Riding With Reagan is an intimate portrait of the man who remains one of the most popular presidents in our nation's history. A stirring ode to friendship, brotherhood, and the great outdoors, it celebrates a true hero whose life and spirit are the embodiment of what it means to be an American.
John Barletta was a Vietnam veteran and Secret Service agent who spent over a decade with the Reagans, poised to give his own life at any moment to save the 40th president of the United States. His superior riding skills made Barletta the perfect choice to protect Reagan during his frequent visits to the ranch. Over time, he got to know Reagan as few others did. But what did these two men talk about during their long solitary hours on horseback--and how did they become the unlikeliest of friends and confidants?
In Riding With Reagan, John Barletta shares his one-of-a-kind memories of the President, painting a picture of a relaxed Reagan at his very best. Through his eyes, we see a rugged man who thrived outdoors, deeply loved his wife and children, and was a prankster at heart. Barletta recalls watching Reagan take pleasure in clearing the brush from the grounds, spending quiet time with Nancy, and entertaining world figures like Mikhail Gorbachev and Queen Elizabeth, both of whom were surprised by the spare simplicity of the Reagan ranch.
Barletta also recalls the sad times: watching a once-robust Reagan fade into the dark shadows of Alzheimer's disease, and the painful moment when he had to tell the former president that his days of horseback riding had come to an end.
Poignant and candid, Riding With Reagan is an intimate portrait of the man who remains one of the most popular presidents in our nation's history. A stirring ode to friendship, brotherhood, and the great outdoors, it celebrates a true hero whose life and spirit are the embodiment of what it means to be an American.
256 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2005
239 people are currently reading
754 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
June 6, 2025
What a sweet and touching account of a secret agent’s time with Reagan on his ranch in California!
If you love horses, or if you’re indifferent about horses (like me), if you enjoy the slow pace of ranch life, and/or you like stories about an unlikely friendship with a charming old man, this book is for you.
Ages: 12+
Content Considerations: h*ll and d*mn were used once or twice.
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If you love horses, or if you’re indifferent about horses (like me), if you enjoy the slow pace of ranch life, and/or you like stories about an unlikely friendship with a charming old man, this book is for you.
Ages: 12+
Content Considerations: h*ll and d*mn were used once or twice.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide Content Considerations, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
If you’re considering a book or looking for a new title to read, check out my highly categorized shelves, read my reviews and Friend or Follow me to spiff up your feed with clean, wholesome, living books.
March 27, 2019
A great book about Reagan the man through the eyes of a secret service agent who rode horses with him for over ten years. Barletta provided protection for The President while they were riding both at Camp David, The Reagan Ranch and in England when Reagan rode with the Queen.
A Personal look into the private side of Reagan as a simple man, husband and horseman. Reagan's honesty, genuineness and decency shine through as no other author could have written. This isn't a book about his politics or a play-by-play of the President's life. The one thing I got from this book was how humble Reagan was and how thoughtful and polite he was to those around him. If you're a Reaganite this is a must read book.
A Personal look into the private side of Reagan as a simple man, husband and horseman. Reagan's honesty, genuineness and decency shine through as no other author could have written. This isn't a book about his politics or a play-by-play of the President's life. The one thing I got from this book was how humble Reagan was and how thoughtful and polite he was to those around him. If you're a Reaganite this is a must read book.
January 10, 2025
Great book. Not particularly well written but packed with interesting content that shows a whole different side of President Reagan as well as rare insights into the Secret Service. For 23 years the author was the agent in charge of Reagan's ranch horses as well as helping at the White House. He would spend up to six hours a day riding alone alongside Reagan, probably spending more time with the President than any other person than Nancy Reagan.
It's not a political book and there aren't details about many Reagan controversies. However, Barletta does address some of the things the President was famous for and give a unique perspective. Let's just say that his opinion of the media is extremely low and justified--supposedly legit news reporters push unconfirmed storylines and the Reagans just looked the other way. This has information you won't read elsewhere.
You'll only be disappointed if you expect there to be dirt here--I can't think of one negative thing he writes about Reagan and Nancy comes across as a saint. It's a great summary of the leader's attitude, kindness, humility, and positive impact on the world. That doesn't mean everyone goes unscathed--the Queen's horse handler gets scorched and the author's view of the British puts the ridiculous Royal Family into perspective. There are also a few other rich society elitists that seem to just cling on to the powerful First Couple but for the most part Barletta is careful with his words and revelations. Nowhere is that more evident than his brief mention of the Reagan children, who seem to have almost nothing to do with their famous father.
While it's technically an autobiography, it's actually more of a biography of Reagan. The author doesn't talk anything about his own personal life and that's too bad--he should have opened up about what goes on with an agent outside of work. He encountered a lot of famous people and there are bare details about those encounters. Barletta had one of the most fascinating, important, stressful and skilled jobs in the world--there should have been more about his career and life outside of Reagan.
Despite the wandering writing style, poorly organized chapters, minute details about horse care, and some repetitiveness, it's worth going along for the ride.
It's not a political book and there aren't details about many Reagan controversies. However, Barletta does address some of the things the President was famous for and give a unique perspective. Let's just say that his opinion of the media is extremely low and justified--supposedly legit news reporters push unconfirmed storylines and the Reagans just looked the other way. This has information you won't read elsewhere.
You'll only be disappointed if you expect there to be dirt here--I can't think of one negative thing he writes about Reagan and Nancy comes across as a saint. It's a great summary of the leader's attitude, kindness, humility, and positive impact on the world. That doesn't mean everyone goes unscathed--the Queen's horse handler gets scorched and the author's view of the British puts the ridiculous Royal Family into perspective. There are also a few other rich society elitists that seem to just cling on to the powerful First Couple but for the most part Barletta is careful with his words and revelations. Nowhere is that more evident than his brief mention of the Reagan children, who seem to have almost nothing to do with their famous father.
While it's technically an autobiography, it's actually more of a biography of Reagan. The author doesn't talk anything about his own personal life and that's too bad--he should have opened up about what goes on with an agent outside of work. He encountered a lot of famous people and there are bare details about those encounters. Barletta had one of the most fascinating, important, stressful and skilled jobs in the world--there should have been more about his career and life outside of Reagan.
Despite the wandering writing style, poorly organized chapters, minute details about horse care, and some repetitiveness, it's worth going along for the ride.
December 5, 2024
A fantastic book that delivers a personal glimpse into the personality and character of Ronald Reagan. If you want to really get a good idea of what Reagan was like, read this book. I enjoyed learning more about Reagan and I have noticed that the facts matched up with what I have read about the president previously.
My brother was on duty the day that Reagan's body was driven over to his final resting place at the Ronald Reagan library in Simi valley. He was able to salute the vehicle that carried his casket as it went by. I was reminded of this when the author was writing about that particular day. I can't believe that it has been 20 years ago when we lost this great man. A solid 5 stars
My brother was on duty the day that Reagan's body was driven over to his final resting place at the Ronald Reagan library in Simi valley. He was able to salute the vehicle that carried his casket as it went by. I was reminded of this when the author was writing about that particular day. I can't believe that it has been 20 years ago when we lost this great man. A solid 5 stars
November 17, 2024
This was a delightful book, written by a member of the Secret Service who was the closest to President Reagan because of his expertise on horseback riding. Very few could keep up with the President when he was on the back of a horse, so John Barletta worked at the Reagan ranch in California as well as Washington DC. Barletta was a superb agent, who had the toughness to lead a Secret Service team but the personality to relate to his boss during some of his most contemplative, spiritual times.
The 40th president was a down-to-earth man with a deep faith, who took his duties very seriously and genuinely cared about his role in leading the free world. After his assassination attempt, he believed God saved him for a purpose, and the subsequent years that ended the Cold War, brought down the Berlin Wall and freed thousands under communist oppression, seemed to bear this out.
Our country sorely needs such a man today.
The 40th president was a down-to-earth man with a deep faith, who took his duties very seriously and genuinely cared about his role in leading the free world. After his assassination attempt, he believed God saved him for a purpose, and the subsequent years that ended the Cold War, brought down the Berlin Wall and freed thousands under communist oppression, seemed to bear this out.
Our country sorely needs such a man today.
October 14, 2025
I really enjoyed the story of this special relationship and especially loved the affirmation of what a good man President Reagan was. If only we had someone of his character in the White House now! I didn’t like the narration though. I would have liked to hear this in the authors own voice. The voice didn’t match the horseman personality of John.
November 17, 2024
We all know the Secret Service is assigned to protect the president wherever he goes, but complications quickly arise when he decides to do something dangerous or isolated, such as President Reagan's favorite hobby of horseback riding.
Enter John Barletta. An experienced horseman and Secret Service agent, he became a loyal companion of the Reagans through many shared rides and other key moments of the fortieth presidency. His reminiscences paint a warm picture of one of our greatest leaders who, but for the service he could render to others, would have traded the glamor of Hollywood and the prestige of Washington for a quiet life in the California hills.
My main gripes are that I think the book could have been better written and organized; Barletta arranges his stories thematically, which sometimes leads him to repeat things or to mention an event or name early on that he only goes into detail about later. It's also sometimes unclear what the purpose or emotion behind a line of dialogue is, or when one anecdote ends and another begins- both probably due to telling the story verbally to a ghostwriter and the tone not translating.
Enter John Barletta. An experienced horseman and Secret Service agent, he became a loyal companion of the Reagans through many shared rides and other key moments of the fortieth presidency. His reminiscences paint a warm picture of one of our greatest leaders who, but for the service he could render to others, would have traded the glamor of Hollywood and the prestige of Washington for a quiet life in the California hills.
My main gripes are that I think the book could have been better written and organized; Barletta arranges his stories thematically, which sometimes leads him to repeat things or to mention an event or name early on that he only goes into detail about later. It's also sometimes unclear what the purpose or emotion behind a line of dialogue is, or when one anecdote ends and another begins- both probably due to telling the story verbally to a ghostwriter and the tone not translating.
April 18, 2023
The book was loaned to me by a mutual horse friend. Politics aside, I only read it due to my interest in Reagan as a horseman and because I’d lived in Santa Barbara. That being said, I found the book extremely difficult to get into. I thought the writing was amateurish and definitely not engaging. I skimmed through it, and there were a few parts that resonated for me personally (Jedlicka’s Western store in Santa Barbara, went there all the time in my teens!) which is why I gave it 2 stars instead of one.
September 6, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyable book. Heartfelt stories of one of Reagan’s closest friends: John Barletta, the secret scenic agent who protected him as he road horses. Whether you like horses or not; ride them or not; this book contains so many beautiful personal stories about a President whom most people respected.
July 8, 2025
People who know me know I idolized Ronald Reagan as a kid and teen so I loved reading this account from his main Secret Service agent. The other angle that made me like the book is I now have a cousin who is an actual Secret Service agent so hearing some of the stories hit home. There were several stories about Reagan I never heard before that were touching, comical, or fascinating. Because of all this, I did enjoy the book. However parts were just too overly detailed - especially about the horses. The author obviously loves horses and wanted to share a little too much about them to an average reader. With a little more editing I would have given the book more stars.
October 25, 2024
Ronald Reagan was such a good man. The likes of which are very difficult to find today, especially in politics. You do learn about Reagan in this book, but you learn a lot more about horses, riding, and Secret Service protocol.
April 14, 2025
No matter your political view, it’s a good read!
July 20, 2020
Excellent insight on a wonderful president
April 29, 2019
The only reason I didn’t give this book five stars has more to do with me than the book. The author delivers on the promise made in the title, a good portion of his story revolves around horseback riding. If I was more into that, I would have easily given it five stars.
I found myself skimming over parts about the more technical aspects of riding, but what was left was a treasure trove of Reagan lore. I felt like I had a better feel for the man than I did after reading Edmund Morris’ biography. I highly recommend this this book if you’re looking for an anecdotal biography of Reagan’s presidential years.
I found myself skimming over parts about the more technical aspects of riding, but what was left was a treasure trove of Reagan lore. I felt like I had a better feel for the man than I did after reading Edmund Morris’ biography. I highly recommend this this book if you’re looking for an anecdotal biography of Reagan’s presidential years.
January 14, 2022
The author is not the best writer in the world, transitions are very rough and there is some repetition. However, his firsthand experiences and the stories he has to tell are really interesting, making this book well worth the read.
April 27, 2023
This book was fun for me to read for two reasons. One, I liked Ronald Reagan, and two, many of the references in the book to people and places were familiar because of where I grew up. Regarding the first reason, I never met the man; I simply lived under his rule as governor and later as president. The state and the country generally prospered under his leadership as did I. He was a breath of fresh air, so to speak, for those of us who were everyday folk trying to make the American dream come true.
I am not a horse person. That doesn’t mean I don’t like them; it just means they were never a part of my life, so I’ve never been a rider nor wanted to be. However, horses were the original connection between John Barletta and Ronald Reagan. John was a secret service agent who could ride. That got him an assignment with President Reagan, and from that their relationship grew. The story as told by Mr. Barletta is quite personal. It is his reflection on who Ronald and Nancy Reagan really were, normal good folks. John’s job was to be ever vigilant in protecting them, so his relationship was first professional, but it became personal as well although he tried hard to never let the personal side interfere with his work.
The book is very readable and covers a variety of incidents. Some are funny because Ronald Reagan had a great sense of humor. Some reveal the character of the Reagans; they were just everyday people who related well with everyday people. The Reagans did not live as though they were better than regular folk. Gorbachev, for instance, was impressed by the simplicity of Rancho del Cielo.
And that brings me to the second reason I liked this book. As young fellow I hunted wild hogs up Refugio Canyon, probably on the ranch prior to when Reagan bought it. I drove on the Camino Cielo while in college at UCSB, usually with my .22 looking for a cottontail or two to take home as dinner. I went to high school with three of Ted Chamberlain’s kids. I remember as a very young boy when the Rancho Vistadores would finish up their ride at the Santa Inez Mission. One of my classmates became a Vistadore, and another good friend rode with them on occasion. Young Americans for Freedom purchased the ranch from the Reagans and keeps it up today. My wife worked for YAF in her early days, and she has a picture of Ronald Reagan which is signed and dedicated to her. All that is to say, I had many connections to the places and people mentioned in the book. That was a plus for me.
I am not a horse person. That doesn’t mean I don’t like them; it just means they were never a part of my life, so I’ve never been a rider nor wanted to be. However, horses were the original connection between John Barletta and Ronald Reagan. John was a secret service agent who could ride. That got him an assignment with President Reagan, and from that their relationship grew. The story as told by Mr. Barletta is quite personal. It is his reflection on who Ronald and Nancy Reagan really were, normal good folks. John’s job was to be ever vigilant in protecting them, so his relationship was first professional, but it became personal as well although he tried hard to never let the personal side interfere with his work.
The book is very readable and covers a variety of incidents. Some are funny because Ronald Reagan had a great sense of humor. Some reveal the character of the Reagans; they were just everyday people who related well with everyday people. The Reagans did not live as though they were better than regular folk. Gorbachev, for instance, was impressed by the simplicity of Rancho del Cielo.
And that brings me to the second reason I liked this book. As young fellow I hunted wild hogs up Refugio Canyon, probably on the ranch prior to when Reagan bought it. I drove on the Camino Cielo while in college at UCSB, usually with my .22 looking for a cottontail or two to take home as dinner. I went to high school with three of Ted Chamberlain’s kids. I remember as a very young boy when the Rancho Vistadores would finish up their ride at the Santa Inez Mission. One of my classmates became a Vistadore, and another good friend rode with them on occasion. Young Americans for Freedom purchased the ranch from the Reagans and keeps it up today. My wife worked for YAF in her early days, and she has a picture of Ronald Reagan which is signed and dedicated to her. All that is to say, I had many connections to the places and people mentioned in the book. That was a plus for me.
August 25, 2024
People get too excited about giving five star reviews around here - geez was this really the best book you have read? Is this the next American classic? Was it written by an amazing author?
That said, I highly enjoyed reading this book. It gave nice insight into a side of Reagan that I was unaware of. It also provided interesting insight into the job of Secret Service and the blending of protecting someone versus also having a relationship with that person and his family. I really liked hearing Barletta's first-hand account of interesting events that occurred during his long service engagement to the president and his family.
The book demonstrated the accuracy of the "folksy" side of Reagan. Really it is incredible that a former movie star, governor, and president could also be so down-to-earth and find joy doing unpretentious things such as clearing brush and building fences. It is really hard to fathom given the egotistical world we live in. The other world view that is much out-of-step with today is the spirit of collaboration. Today we have many people shouting from soapboxes, but not as many who are willing to roll up their sleeves and do the hard work, while also reaching across the aisle in order to get things done.
Based on election results, Reagan is one of the more popular presidents in modern times. That means people from all walks of life thought he had a good message, was an amazing communicator, and was trying to better people's lives. We need to be careful with overly praising or demonizing past leaders, but that is one of the refreshing things about this book is it seems like an honest take about an honest man. It talks about many of Reagan's accomplishments, but really it focuses on his time at his Santa Barbara ranch and the simple joys he found there with his wife. It is a book of stories about a man who liked to tell stories. There is nothing "behind-the-scenes" here in that people who have followed President Reagan would not be surprised, but the book is still interesting and engaging, especially for those who don't know as much about Reagan, or at least this part of his life.
That said, I highly enjoyed reading this book. It gave nice insight into a side of Reagan that I was unaware of. It also provided interesting insight into the job of Secret Service and the blending of protecting someone versus also having a relationship with that person and his family. I really liked hearing Barletta's first-hand account of interesting events that occurred during his long service engagement to the president and his family.
The book demonstrated the accuracy of the "folksy" side of Reagan. Really it is incredible that a former movie star, governor, and president could also be so down-to-earth and find joy doing unpretentious things such as clearing brush and building fences. It is really hard to fathom given the egotistical world we live in. The other world view that is much out-of-step with today is the spirit of collaboration. Today we have many people shouting from soapboxes, but not as many who are willing to roll up their sleeves and do the hard work, while also reaching across the aisle in order to get things done.
Based on election results, Reagan is one of the more popular presidents in modern times. That means people from all walks of life thought he had a good message, was an amazing communicator, and was trying to better people's lives. We need to be careful with overly praising or demonizing past leaders, but that is one of the refreshing things about this book is it seems like an honest take about an honest man. It talks about many of Reagan's accomplishments, but really it focuses on his time at his Santa Barbara ranch and the simple joys he found there with his wife. It is a book of stories about a man who liked to tell stories. There is nothing "behind-the-scenes" here in that people who have followed President Reagan would not be surprised, but the book is still interesting and engaging, especially for those who don't know as much about Reagan, or at least this part of his life.
May 20, 2025
I loved how personal it felt to get this unique, behind-the-scenes look at President Ronald Reagan through the eyes of his longtime Secret Service agent and riding companion. John Barletta, a Vietnam veteran and skilled horseman, was assigned in 1981 to lead the president’s equestrian protection detail. Over nearly two decades, he became one of Reagan’s closest confidants, sharing countless hours on horseback at the president’s beloved Rancho del Cielo, Camp David, and even Windsor Castle.   
Key Themes and Highlights
• A Unique Friendship: What began as a professional assignment evolved into a deep personal bond. Barletta paints Reagan as a humble, humorous, and deeply principled man who found solace in nature and joy in simple tasks like clearing brush or riding trails. 
• Moments of History: The book recounts pivotal events, including the 1981 assassination attempt on Reagan, offering a firsthand perspective on the gravity of the moment and its impact on both men. 
• Life at the Ranch: Barletta provides intimate glimpses into Reagan’s private world—his interactions with Nancy Reagan, his hospitality toward world leaders like Mikhail Gorbachev and Queen Elizabeth, and his deep connection to his horses and the land. 
• A Poignant Farewell: The memoir concludes with Barletta’s reflections on Reagan’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease, including the difficult moment when he had to inform the former president that his riding days were over. 
Overall, Riding with Reagan is a heartfelt tribute to a president often seen through a political lens but here revealed as a man of character, warmth, and enduring spirit. It’s a compelling read for anyone interested in presidential history, the Secret Service, or the human side of leadership.
The only criticism is that a few portions seem to be repetitive. I felt like he explained how the secret service got their horses from the US Parks Police a few times, but that can be overlooked for how fulfilling this read is.
Key Themes and Highlights
• A Unique Friendship: What began as a professional assignment evolved into a deep personal bond. Barletta paints Reagan as a humble, humorous, and deeply principled man who found solace in nature and joy in simple tasks like clearing brush or riding trails. 
• Moments of History: The book recounts pivotal events, including the 1981 assassination attempt on Reagan, offering a firsthand perspective on the gravity of the moment and its impact on both men. 
• Life at the Ranch: Barletta provides intimate glimpses into Reagan’s private world—his interactions with Nancy Reagan, his hospitality toward world leaders like Mikhail Gorbachev and Queen Elizabeth, and his deep connection to his horses and the land. 
• A Poignant Farewell: The memoir concludes with Barletta’s reflections on Reagan’s battle with Alzheimer’s disease, including the difficult moment when he had to inform the former president that his riding days were over. 
Overall, Riding with Reagan is a heartfelt tribute to a president often seen through a political lens but here revealed as a man of character, warmth, and enduring spirit. It’s a compelling read for anyone interested in presidential history, the Secret Service, or the human side of leadership.
The only criticism is that a few portions seem to be repetitive. I felt like he explained how the secret service got their horses from the US Parks Police a few times, but that can be overlooked for how fulfilling this read is.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 13, 2018
“ BEST BOOK I HAVE READ IN 2018, FINAL CHAPTER APPEARED IN WARP SPEED “
Reading this book regarding the private life of former President
Ronald Reagan as seen thru the eyes of a Secret Service
agent that was his number one man and accompanied him on
all his horseback riding during his years in office and after ( encompasses nearly 2 decades )
The story confirms all my previous thoughts and assumptions
that RR was just as down to earth, meat & potatoes type man,
respecting every person regardless of their station in life and
completely VOID of egotism and narcissistic behavior .
You cannot keep a personality like his hidden under a rock.
In 1980 while running for POTUS he came to Henderson County
North Carolina and the Republican Party bought a full page in
the local TIMES NEWS newspaper which is a subsidiary of the NEW YORK TIMES.
The page displayed all National, State and County candidates
running for office.
Ronald Reagan’s photo and name was top center on the page,
my photo and name was on the bottom line, I was in a race against the incumbent Democrat Chief District Court Judge.
Early in the campaign I left 3 current photographs of myself
with the newspaper to be used, instead my name was purposely
Misspelled ( I had been a State employed Magistrate in the
County for the previous 5 years ) the newspaper found a 20
Year old photo of me and displayed that one after evenly
brushing ink all over the photo giving me the appearance of
African - American.
I went into the Editors office and told him I thought that was
an under handed thing he had done.
Instead of saying it must have been accidental he chose to
state, “ you can’t beat a newspaper man that can buy printers
Ink by the 50 gallon barrel. “
Politics has not changed in the past 38 years.
Reading this book regarding the private life of former President
Ronald Reagan as seen thru the eyes of a Secret Service
agent that was his number one man and accompanied him on
all his horseback riding during his years in office and after ( encompasses nearly 2 decades )
The story confirms all my previous thoughts and assumptions
that RR was just as down to earth, meat & potatoes type man,
respecting every person regardless of their station in life and
completely VOID of egotism and narcissistic behavior .
You cannot keep a personality like his hidden under a rock.
In 1980 while running for POTUS he came to Henderson County
North Carolina and the Republican Party bought a full page in
the local TIMES NEWS newspaper which is a subsidiary of the NEW YORK TIMES.
The page displayed all National, State and County candidates
running for office.
Ronald Reagan’s photo and name was top center on the page,
my photo and name was on the bottom line, I was in a race against the incumbent Democrat Chief District Court Judge.
Early in the campaign I left 3 current photographs of myself
with the newspaper to be used, instead my name was purposely
Misspelled ( I had been a State employed Magistrate in the
County for the previous 5 years ) the newspaper found a 20
Year old photo of me and displayed that one after evenly
brushing ink all over the photo giving me the appearance of
African - American.
I went into the Editors office and told him I thought that was
an under handed thing he had done.
Instead of saying it must have been accidental he chose to
state, “ you can’t beat a newspaper man that can buy printers
Ink by the 50 gallon barrel. “
Politics has not changed in the past 38 years.
February 3, 2025
A Presidential Read
After watching the movie Reagan I realised that whilst I had been going about the business of my life in Scotland as a mother and wife during the years Ronald Reagan was the President of the United States, my knowledge of the man himself was limited to the fact that he had once been a Hollywood actor, indeed I recall once having thought naively that it was his fame itself which had led him to his inauguration as the most powerful man in our modern world. However, having been moved by the films apparently honest depiction of his life, I decided to read John Barletta's book to find out a little more. This book reads like a conversation between close friends, chatting about their most loved memories of someone who was clearly loved and admired by them. The friends being John Barletta, the author and the reader. The pride and joy experienced throughout his role as a Secret Service agent to President Reagan is apparent throughout the book but is consistently conveyed alongside a deep sense of humility and gratitude for all he had been party to as a result of his job. This book gives a beautiful insight to not only the life of Ronald Reagan and his devoted wife Nancy but to the emotional side of a professional Secret Service agent reminding us all that no matter who you are or what your role in this world is, underneath it all, we are all at our essence, human beings. Tear provoking reading at times and as a reader I am inspired at the end with the belief that goodness and compassion can exist within the realms of world leaders, ok, maybe not so much in current contexts but where there is hope so too will goodness prevail. A beautiful insight that the author is to be thanked for sharing with us.
After watching the movie Reagan I realised that whilst I had been going about the business of my life in Scotland as a mother and wife during the years Ronald Reagan was the President of the United States, my knowledge of the man himself was limited to the fact that he had once been a Hollywood actor, indeed I recall once having thought naively that it was his fame itself which had led him to his inauguration as the most powerful man in our modern world. However, having been moved by the films apparently honest depiction of his life, I decided to read John Barletta's book to find out a little more. This book reads like a conversation between close friends, chatting about their most loved memories of someone who was clearly loved and admired by them. The friends being John Barletta, the author and the reader. The pride and joy experienced throughout his role as a Secret Service agent to President Reagan is apparent throughout the book but is consistently conveyed alongside a deep sense of humility and gratitude for all he had been party to as a result of his job. This book gives a beautiful insight to not only the life of Ronald Reagan and his devoted wife Nancy but to the emotional side of a professional Secret Service agent reminding us all that no matter who you are or what your role in this world is, underneath it all, we are all at our essence, human beings. Tear provoking reading at times and as a reader I am inspired at the end with the belief that goodness and compassion can exist within the realms of world leaders, ok, maybe not so much in current contexts but where there is hope so too will goodness prevail. A beautiful insight that the author is to be thanked for sharing with us.
February 16, 2025
The Hoopla version popped up in my feed and after looking at the high rating on Goodreads I decided to read it myself. As a huge Reagan fan, it is no surprise to me that I loved the insights that were shared by the author that he experienced with President Reagan and the First Lady. I am not a horse person so all the detail about preparing for a ride, the equipment and the care of the horse was interesting but got to be a little too much. Having said that though I learned quite a bit about the couple, their relationship and just how much they enjoyed their ranch in California, but especially President Reagan. He loved doing the work himself and spending as much time on the horses as he could. You will also learn a tremendous amount about what it takes to keep the presidential family safe in all environments. Amazing all the personnel and planning involved with the Secret Services executing their job.
August 19, 2019
One of my earliest memories of my dad is him walking through the door on election night 1980, a big smile on his face, saying “our guy is winning!” This lit an interest in me about Ronald Reagan, even though I was only six years old when he was elected. Riding With Reagan may be my favorite book about Reagan. The insight from John Barletta, long Time Secret Service agent who worked closely with the Reagans for over twenty years, could fairly be considered biased - he became a close personal friend of both President and Mrs. Reagan - but I loved reading his anecdotes and first hand accounts of Reagan’s classic sunny and humble but determined personality. Politics are not touched, this is an account of the man behind the scenes. It’s a treat to read. I really wish my dad was still alive because I would truly love to give him a copy of this book.
July 26, 2022
This is one of those rare books where the quality of the writing itself is not great, but it still gets 5 stars. What a lovely tribute to President Reagan from a secret service agent who spent so much time with the Reagans at their ranch. This book is not about politics nor does it do a deep dive into the issues and events during Reagan's time in office. Instead, Barletta offers to readers a collection of stories, observations, and conversations that occurred during his time as an agent for the Reagans. It's like you are sitting at the kitchen table listening to him tell stories about his rides with the President. It is an enjoyable read that gives the kind of insight into Reagan and his character that you can't get from a traditional biography.
August 30, 2024
It's fitting that I decided to read this book on August 29th. I had the opportunity to see an early showing of the Reagan movie starring Dennis quaid. While I sat there in the theater, it was really cool to see the events in this book play out on screen. Particularly that of the conversation that John Barletta has with his secret service supervisor about being able to ride horses and being assigned to the Reagan ranch. What this book did is show the friendship between the two. It doesn't seem like there's a whole lot of people who can truly talk about a deep connection with the president but John seems to be one of those few.
A very good and simple book about who the president was, and what he loved.
A very good and simple book about who the president was, and what he loved.
January 27, 2025
Numerous books about Ronald Reagan mention his love of horses and his ranch, but Secret Service agent John Barletta developed an intimate friendship with the president over the horses they loved and rode together and shares it in this narrative. The reader is not going to learn any more about presidential politics, decisions Reagan made in office or what he thought about rivals, but they will learn what a dedicated horseman he was, how much he loved riding and be confirmed in other accounts of what a friendly, uncomplicated and decent man he was. Book is repetitive in a few places and is certainly more of one person’s memoir but does add information to the pantheon of books about the 40th president.
March 21, 2024
Me Too !
I was an Air Force Advance Officer for Air Force One serving Presidents Nixon,Ford,Cárter and Reagan.The best of all of them was President Reagan! Thank you John for telling his story in a very beautiful way. I joined you in crying several times during my reading. You made him come alive again.
My last trip with him was the one to San Francisco for the visit of Queen Elizabeth in 1983. After the President boarded AF-1 , my wife and I were invited on board the plane to meet him. It was a great honor to meet him, shake his hand and, of course, get a photo.
Read this excellent book and learn what a great man President Reagan was!
I was an Air Force Advance Officer for Air Force One serving Presidents Nixon,Ford,Cárter and Reagan.The best of all of them was President Reagan! Thank you John for telling his story in a very beautiful way. I joined you in crying several times during my reading. You made him come alive again.
My last trip with him was the one to San Francisco for the visit of Queen Elizabeth in 1983. After the President boarded AF-1 , my wife and I were invited on board the plane to meet him. It was a great honor to meet him, shake his hand and, of course, get a photo.
Read this excellent book and learn what a great man President Reagan was!
October 29, 2024
After I saw the movie and heard about the Secret service having to provide men that could ride and keep up with a modern president that rode horses I knew I had to have this book. I love it. It is even better than I had expected. Now I am around Reagan's age and trying to figure out how to live my best life with my husband. It's fun to read about Nancy and Ron and their wonderful love for each other. I found clips of videos taken at their ranch on YouTube. It is so beautiful with the trees, and horses and mountains. Reagan's kindness and humility shine through this book. I am so glad I found it.
October 11, 2019
A biography about Reagan the man told by a Secret Service Agent who served him for over thirteen years, which is almost unprecedented in the agency. It was their love of horses that formed a bond.
I admit that I don’t know much about horses, but have several friends who, like Reagan and the author, are experienced riders and horse lovers. This book helped me understand Reagan the person (even if it’s from a slightly biased perspective) and learn more about horses at the same time without delving back into the politics of his tenure as President.
I admit that I don’t know much about horses, but have several friends who, like Reagan and the author, are experienced riders and horse lovers. This book helped me understand Reagan the person (even if it’s from a slightly biased perspective) and learn more about horses at the same time without delving back into the politics of his tenure as President.
January 19, 2022
It was an interesting read, but not well written. Repetitive and the tone was a bit of “look at me, I am important.” Yes he was assigned to the President’s protection detail and at that time, the best rider they had, but he wasn’t selected as his friend. He was selected as his protection.
I enjoyed learning about how the protection detail goes about dealing with riding. And, as a rider, I liked hearing about how and why each horse was chosen for the President.
This book could have been easily 50 pages smaller with some decent editing.
I enjoyed learning about how the protection detail goes about dealing with riding. And, as a rider, I liked hearing about how and why each horse was chosen for the President.
This book could have been easily 50 pages smaller with some decent editing.
October 16, 2025
This book is about Ronald Reagan when he was president and it was told by the Secret Service agent that roded horses with him. book is not part of a seriesIn this book is about wrong again Mrs Reagan the Secret Service agents and John R. Barletta Was a secret service agent the book is really funny and has a lot of great stories and shows what a good present Ronald Reagan was I kind of disliked at the end a little but I'm not supposed to reveal anything so I say so far it's 4 and 1/2 fingers High and suggest this to people that love history or just like like good stories.
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