Riding With Reagan

Riding with Reagan is a book that was written in 2005 by former Secret Service Agent John Barietta (with Rochelle Scweizer). John Barietta was not any Agent, he happened to share something in common with President Reagan and that was horseback riding. For the President this was more than a hobby, and he would ride whenever he had the opportunity. Whether it be at the ranch, with the Queen of England, or at Camp David; it did not matter.

With that said, this book rarely if ever mentions politics, and to be quite frank, more time is spent talking about President Reagan's horse El Alamein!

In this book the author gives a useful amount of biographical information about himself along with his career in the Secret Service. He also talks how he protected Reagan and how the Ranch was secured during and even after Reagan's presidency. One of the most interesting facts that was disclosed, was the fact that whenever Reagan visited Rancho del Cielo, Soviet submarines would be parked off the coast of Santa Barbara.

Another thing I must say, is that I have learned more about horseback riding and caring for horses by reading this book than anything else I have ever come across. An example is equestrian Riding or western riding and how both of these differ.

The saddest part of this book, was the ending because it not only talks about President Reagans diagnosis with alzheimers, but the author also talks about his own retirement from the Secret Service.