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Book Nook: The President Will See You Now, a memoir by Peggy Grande

After leaving the White House Ronald Reagan maintained an office in Los Angeles. It was a busy place; he met with dignitaries, celebrities, and ordinary Americans at his office. Peggy Grande was there, she became the former president's executive assistant, the person who managed his busy schedule. She got to know him quite well.
 

In this sentimental and fond memoir the author recalls how she met him, why she admired him, and what it was like to be in close proximity to him. While her recollections are mostly pleasant she doesn't avoid the big issue, Ronald Reagan's eventual descent into the grip of Alzheimer's. It was heartbreaking for her to see this glib and joyful conversationalist becoming locked into silence. She describes the first signs they observed that there might be something happening to his mind. This is an issue that will be faced by millions of Americans. The Reagans did an important thing by making their personal tragedy public as he bid farewell to the glittering world he had known so well.

The Book Nook on WYSO is made possible by five local library systems in southwest Ohio:  the Greene County Public LibraryWashington-Centerville Public LibraryClark County Public Library, Dayton Metro Library, and Wright Memorial Public Library.

Vick Mickunas introduced the Book Nook author interview program for WYSO in 1994. Over the years he has produced more than 1500 interviews with writers, musicians, poets, politicians, and celebrities. Listen to the Book Nook with Vick Mickunas for intimate conversations about books with the writers who create them. Vick Mickunas reviews books for the Dayton Daily News and the Springfield News Sun.