The President Will See You Now: My Stories and Lessons from Ronald Reagan's Final Years

by Peggy Grande

Overview

"Peggy Grande's memoir is the book to read on Ronald Reagan's post-presidential years . . . Among the most unique and touching [books] ever done on the man . . . Wonderful." — The AmericanSpectator

In The President Will See You Now, devoted Reagan insider Peggy Grande shares behind-the-scenes stories, intimate moments, and insights into one of America's most beloved presidents. Grande, who started in the Office of Ronald Reagan as a college student and earned her way into a coveted role as the president's Executive Assistant, offers an unparalleled perspective on the post-presidency of a political icon.

Grande's stories and never-before-seen photos show a unique, private side to a public figure and leader who reshaped conservatism, ushered in an era of prosperity, and helped spur the end of the Cold War. Grande reveals what day-to-day life was like in Reagan's California office, including the former president's relationship with the First Lady and his interactions with friends, world leaders, and everyday Americans. Grande recalls how Reagan kept a vigorous schedule for years after he left the White House, his robust engagement with others, and ongoing political advocacy. Despite his eventual Alzheimer's diagnosis, Grande shows how Ronald Reagan remained true to core beliefs, his gentlemanly kindness, and his undying hope for his country.

Today the Reagan legacy looms over American politics more than ever. Grande reminds readers why: When Ronald Reagan was president, we not only loved ourselves but also loved America, and the American values he represented: faith, optimism, and patriotism.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316396479
Publisher:	Hachette Books
Publication date:	02/06/2018
Pages:	280
Product dimensions:	5.25(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.75(d)

About the Author

Peggy Grande worked in the Office of Ronald Reagan in Los Angeles, CA, from 1989-1999. As a keynote speaker to corporate executives, political organizations, executive assistants, and student groups, Grande inspires audiences with timeless Reagan lessons and principles. A graduate of Pepperdine University, she lives in a suburb of Los Angeles, CA, with her husband and her four children.

Table of Contents

Prologue 1

1 To Serve the President 11

2 First Day at Work 24

3 Getting to Know the Boss 42

4 Invitation to the Office of Ronald Reagan 51

5 Communicating Greatness 63

6 The Perfect Gentleman 70

7 Mrs. Reagan's Ally 77

8 Rawhide's Ranch 85

9 A Stetson for Gorbachev 93

10 Rock River Painting 101

11 The Legacy of a Lifetime 107

12 Balancing Act 119

13 Life at Full Throttle 125

14 On the Rooftops 133

15 Visiting the Residence 139

16 Tru Luv Marriage 147

17 Seasons of Change 155

18 My Fellow Americans 164

19 The Journey into Sunset 173

20 Surrounded with Love 181

21 One Last Project 190

22 A Faithful Life 197

23 Farewell to the Fairway 208

24 End of an Era 215

25 Saying Goodbye 223

26 Mourning in America 236

Epilogue 253

Acknowledgments 255

Photo Credits 262

What People are Saying About This

New York Times bestselling author of Fascinate and How the World Sees You - Sally Hogshead

"We all have the ability to stand out in a crowd—to use our personality to our natural advantage, fascinate others, and make a difference. THE PRESIDENT WILL SEE YOU NOW illustrates how true this is not only for its subject, Ronald Reagan, who achieved the highest office in our land, but also for its author, Peggy Grande, who was still a college student when she landed the job of a lifetime. This is a fascinating journey inside a private world."

Dana Perino

“Peggy Grande had a once in a lifetime opportunity to serve President Reagan after his presidency, and we are fortunate to have her stories…. This is a fresh look at a wonderful man who continues to inspire long after he served our country.” -Dana Perino, White House Press Secretary for George W. Bush and bestselling author of And the Good News Is… and Let Me Tell You about Jasper…

The Right Honorable Brian Mulroney

“As a friend and colleague of President Reagan, I know how close Peggy was to him and her account of such a privileged association makes for a marvelous and exciting read. For anyone interested in finding out what Ronald Reagan was really like, up-close and personal, Peggy's book is an absolute must read. I found it fascinating and revealing from beginning to end!” -The Right Honorable Brian Mulroney, former Prime Minister of Canada

Jim Angle

“Peggy's book reminds us of Ronald Reagan the man as well as his presidency, surely one of the most consequential of the twentieth century. She shares the day-to-day workings of his post-presidency office and the joy of working for such an amiable, warm, and humble man, who championed American values and principles. She also shares the heartbreaking moment toward the end of his life when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, and the touching note he wrote to the public in which he said, 'When the Lord calls me home, whenever that may be, I will leave with the greatest love for this country of ours and eternal optimism for its future.' Pure Ronald Reagan and a beautiful story from someone who had the privilege of seeing him every day for years. A great read!” -Jim Angle, retired Chief National Correspondent, Fox News Channel

Governor of Wisconsin - Scott Walker

“Peggy Grande had a front row seat to the final years of Ronald Reagan’s remarkable life. In THE PRESIDENT WILL SEE YOU NOW, she shares amazing stories and renews our respect for such a remarkable leader. Peggy’s insights remind us of President Reagan’s eternal optimism and belief in the American people. For those who love Reagan, it is a must read.”

New York Times bestselling author of Fairy Tale Interrupted - RoseMarie Terenzio

"Throughout our country's history, our leaders and icons have been brought to life by those who knew them best. We are fortunate that Peggy Grande shares her time with one of our most beloved presidents. THE PRESIDENT WILL SEE YOU NOW is a gift to all Americans."

Ed Henry

“Don't miss this shining book on a hill. Rather than the typical biography of our nation's 40th president that either slams him from the Left or lionizes him from the Right, Grande shows us the man in full. Unforgettable.” -Ed Henry, journalist and author of 42 Faith: The Rest of the Jackie Robinson Story

Editorial Reviews

"Peggy Grande had a once in a lifetime opportunity to serve President Reagan after his presidency, and we are fortunate to have her stories.... This is a fresh look at a wonderful man who continues to inspire long after he served our country."—Dana Perino, White House Press Secretary for George W. Bush and bestselling author of And the Good News Is... and Let Me Tell You about Jasper...

"Throughout our country's history, our leaders and icons have been brought to life by those who knew them best. We are fortunate that Peggy Grande shares her time with one of our most beloved presidents. The
President Will See You Now is a gift to all Americans."—RoseMarie Terenzio, New York Times bestselling author of Fairy Tale Interrupted

"Peggy Grande had a front row seat to the final years of Ronald Reagan's remarkable life. In The President
Will See You Now, she shares amazing stories and renews our respect for such a remarkable leader. Peggy's insights remind us of President Reagan's eternal optimism and belief in the
American people. For those who love Reagan, it is a must read."—Scott Walker, Governor of Wisconsin

"In The President
Will See You Now, Peggy Grande has given us an inspiring portrait of Ronald
Reagan, whose integrity brought out the best in everyone around him. Peggy's stories—from the love story of the president's marriage with Nancy, to the way he welcomed everyday Americans into his office, and especially her own inspiring journey as one of the president's closest aides—are a powerful vision of positive leadership. I cannot recommend this book enough."—Jon Gordon, bestselling author of The Energy Bus

"As a friend and colleague of President Reagan, I know how close Peggy was to him and her account of such a privileged association makes for a marvelous and exciting read. For anyone interested in finding out what
Ronald Reagan was really like, up-close and personal, Peggy's book is an absolute must read. I found it fascinating and revealing from beginning to end!"—The Right Honorable Brian Mulroney, former Prime Minister of Canada

"We all have the ability to stand out in a crowd-to use our personality to our natural advantage, fascinate others, and make a difference. The President
Will See You Now illustrates how true this is not only for its subject, Ronald Reagan, who achieved the highest office in our land, but also for its author, Peggy Grande, who was still a college student when she landed the job of a lifetime. This is a fascinating journey inside a private world."—Sally Hogshead, New York Times bestselling author of Fascinate and How the World Sees You

"Don't miss this shining book on a hill. Rather than the typical biography of our nation's 40th president that either slams him from the Left or lionizes him from the Right,
Grande shows us the man in full. Unforgettable."—Ed Henry, journalist and author of 42 Faith: The Rest of the Jackie Robinson Story

"Peggy's book reminds us of Ronald Reagan the man as well as his presidency, surely one of the most consequential of the twentieth century. She shares the day-to-day workings of his post-presidency office and the joy of working for such an amiable, warm, and humble man, who championed American values and principles.
She also shares the heartbreaking moment toward the end of his life when he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, and the touching note he wrote to the public in which he said, 'When the Lord calls me home, whenever that may be, I will leave with the greatest love for this country of ours and eternal optimism for its future.' Pure Ronald Reagan and a beautiful story from someone who had the privilege of seeing him every day for years. A great read!"—Jim Angle, retired Chief National Correspondent, Fox News Channel

"Peggy's book is beautifully written, and it is far more than just an intimate picture of a wonderful man. Her attention to detail is like a personal visit with the man himself. As I read through the book, often lingering on meaningful paragraphs, I felt I was reliving my long friendship with President Reagan-and that I had been given a time-capsule chance to experience his warmth and kindness again. The President
Will See You Now
is a wonderful book that I will savor again and again."—Pat Boone


"A timely and revelatory reflection on the former president's conservative ideals."—Harper's Bazaar


"[The President Will See You Now] is a tale very much worth reading...Grande is exactly the kind of sunny storyteller that,
in fact, Reagan himself was.... The warm glow of Grande's memories suffuses these pages, and the book fills a lacunae in Reagan's long public life."—Open Letters Monthly


"Takes readers on a behind-the-scenes look at the daily life of a former president... A masterfully woven account.... Peels back the layers of Reagan's persona to reveal—without having to come right out and say it—the depth of the man's honor and integrity."—American Rifleman, Official Journal of the NRA

"Peggy Grande's memoir is the book to read on Ronald
Reagan's post-presidential years.... Among the most unique and touching [books]
ever done on the man... A fascinating and at times even beautiful portrait by someone clearly called to do what she did.... Kudos to Peggy Grande. She has given us a wonderful work on the final years of Ronald Reagan that she alone could have delivered."—The American Spectator

From the Publisher

01/02/2017
With this glowing photo-packed memoir of President Ronald Reagan’s last California years, Grande, a veteran member of Reagan’s staff, fondly shares remembrances of the conservative icon at work and play. Grande came to the White House as a college student and quickly rose to executive assistant from 1989 to 1999. She writes that her work with Reagan strengthened her optimism, values, and patriotism. From a staunch Republican view, she chronicles the failures of Democratic leadership, past and present, and lauds the vitality, humility, traditional beliefs, and vision of the popular 40th president. Grande describes the Great Communicator as “a man who knew himself, knew his mind, confident in his abilities.” In addition to describing Reagan’s meetings with Hollywood friends, political leaders, and citizens, Grande reveals the powerful bond the president had with his wife Nancy, his key adviser and protector. This is an impassioned, highly enjoyable memoir that includes candid behind-the-scenes photos of the Reagans after their withdrawal from public life. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly

First-time writer and narrator Peggy Grande was personal assistant to President Ronald Reagan for 10 years after he left the White House. Grande is graceful in her word choice and sentence construction, and that grace smoothly transfers to her warm, relaxed narration of insightful stories of working with Reagan and getting to know the man and his family. The PDF document that accompanies the audio volume provides full-color, captioned photographs that enhance the listening experience. Grande skillfully weaves intimate and adoring accounts of working with the Reagans and raising a family at the same time. There’s great finesse in this audiobook’s construction and performance, making it one not to miss. W.A.G. © AudioFile 2017, Portland, Maine

APRIL 2017 - AudioFile