I Love You, Ronnie: The Letters of Ronald Reagan to Nancy Reagan [Paperback]

Nancy Reagan (Author)

Book Description

Release date: February 26, 2002

No matter what else was going on in his life or where he was—traveling to make movies, at the White House, or sometimes just across the room—Ronald Reagan wrote letters to Nancy Reagan, to express his love, thoughts, and feelings, and to stay in touch. Through these extraordinary letters and reflections, the private character and life of an American president and his first lady are revealed. Nancy Reagan reflects with love and insight on the letters, on her husband, and on the many phases of their life together. A love story spanning half a century and the private life of this classic American couple come vividly alive in this rare and inspiring book.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Ronnie's love letters go public. Bonnie Smothers
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Review

“I love you, Ronnie...will move, charm, and cheer...revealing Reagan the man.”
—The Washington Post

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks; 1st edition (February 26, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375760512
• ISBN-13: 978-0375760518
• Product Dimensions: 5.3 x 0.5 x 8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (90 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #298,911 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #38 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( R ) > Reagan, Ronald

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

100 of 105 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars What love! What devotion! Truly sweet and sincere ... September 13, 2000

By Bernadette A. Moyer

Format:Hardcover

Sweet and sincere best describe this lovely collection of love letters from Ronald Reagan to Nancy Reagan. The media seemed to show that Nancy Reagan was a control freak and overbearing during The White House years, this book tells another story. The story is of a man and a woman deeply in love and totally committed to one another. What impressed me most was the sweetness and the vulnerability of this once very powerful man.

Many of the letters have been scanned from the original copies so you get a real taste of the time and the personality of Ronald Reagan. The letterhead is often from various places and penned in his own handwriting. These letters show his most private and personal feelings of loving his wife and just how much she meant to him. You also get some insight into his sense of humor and in his ability to love and express love. I was charmed by the feeling that he never took his position(s) in government life so seriously that he lost his true core and his true heart.

At first I was a bit shocked that Nancy Reagan would share something so personal because that was not the impression I once had of her. I also wondered what was in it for her? Fame, she has, fortune? But I later learned the proceeds from this book will benefit the Alzeimers Foundation. Whatever her motivation this is a wonderful surprise of a book and a great way for her to share some really neat things about one of our ex-presidents.

84 of 92 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Tribute And Grand Legacy March 19, 2001

By taking a rest HALL OF FAME

Format:Hardcover

There is evidently a survey done annually that asks people to rate who the greatest Presidents were to have served this Country. Number one has often been Abraham Lincoln, and he was so chosen again this year. Number two was John F. Kennedy, and number three was Ronald Reagan. I have always been a great admirer of the man, but I never had strong impressions about his wife. This collection of memories by Former First Lady Nancy Reagan entitled, "I Love You Ronnie", portrays Mr. Reagan as one might expect. Of greater interest was what can be learned about this Country's Former First Lady.

You do not have to read very far into this book of letters and recollections to understand that their marriage was unique. The bond between them reads more like a fairly tale, and that makes the truth of it all the more unusual. Their story of course has been heading toward its end through the tragedy of Alzheimer's, however even this trial was shared publicly for the benefit it may bring. This book as well will benefit The Alzheimer's Foundation as well as The Presidential Library Of Mr. Reagan. The last fact is important as it clears the air as to the suggestion this book was written for profit and personal wealth for Mr. And Mrs. Reagan.

Mrs. Reagan was often portrayed as a woman who was impossible to get along with, an interference, and a borderline head case when she was alleged to have sought the advice of an astrologer regarding her husband's activities. Her decisions become clearer even if you do not share her belief in the methods she may have consulted, and to why she conducted herself the way she did. This is a couple of nearly 50 years who would write notes to each other when they were only across the room. This is a couple that was as excited about being together decade after decade as they were in the opening days of their initial romance. Their relationship is so lengthy and intense it could almost be called symbiotic.

Three months after he becomes President he is shot and very nearly dies. She would later have Cancer, and he would deal with Cancer not once but twice in his administration. They always shared these personal travails with the public in the hope it would help others. They had a special respect for, and a relationship with The American People. Going on National television and telling the Nation mind your own business would not have occurred to this President.

The book is also helpful in gaining an insight as to how he evolved via his relationship with General Electric, from a spokesperson for them, to a man that became first the Governor of California, and then the President, twice. Much of what Mrs. Reagan has to say would be dismissed out of hand by more "modern" First Ladies. How she viewed her responsibilities are for readers to judge. For readers who were around and aware of Mr. Reagan's years in office, you will remember they were not perfect, no administration ever has been. But after only a very short time as measured by History, this Country's citizens recall him as one of the finest. Americans remember what they felt like when he spoke, how he took us out from the "Malaise" of the self-described Carter Presidency, and made this Country once again feel good about what and who we were/are.

Mrs. Reagan clearly contributed to the success of her Husband, and by extension to his Presidency and all of us. This was a man who would not remove his jacket when in the oval office out of respect for the History the room and his predecessors represented. Whether you like the man and his wife or not, an objective review of how they conducted their White House Years will stand as well as any in our Nation's History, and perhaps put into perspective just how atrocious the Conduct of Mr. Clinton, and the presumption of Mrs. Clinton were.

The Presidency is about a great many things, many ideals, and many lofty goals that may never be reached. A Great President and First Lady add to the legacy of other great First Couples before them. They never disgraced the office, themselves, or their Country, by turning the home of the President into a front page National Enquirer Joke.

To learn why this was never even a possibility, read the book.

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Heartwarming insight as rich in poetry as it is in history. June 9, 2004

By Christian Hunter

Format:Paperback

I, like so many others, was saddened by the death of Ronald Reagan just a handful of days ago. Innundated by coverage as we have been lately, one strip of video had a particularly strong affect on me: it was the video of Nancy Reagan stroking the flag that lay over her late husbands coffin. Her hands moved back and forth over it almost as if she were trying to pat out wrinkles from a perfectly pressed flag; and she was speaking to her husband, moving her mouth uttering words unaudible to the public.

My eyes welled instantaneously.

I immediately remembered why that scene affected me as it did. I remembered reading the letters written by Ronald, saved by Nancy, organized and published in this wonderfully interesting and telling book. I remembered how deeply in love the two were with each other, and how utterly devastating it must be for her to lose such a great husband...such a great friend.

If my memory serves me correctly, Reagan held some high position in the acting biz (perhaps it was the Screen Actors Guild), and was introduced to Nancy by a mutual friend (she wanted to be an actress, and I think had done some work...it was some time ago that I read this, so please forgive any inaccuracies), anyway, they hit it off immediately, as is so often the case in relationships of great quality. Almost immediately (like a modern day relationship might start trading e-mails) they began to trade letters. She saved them all, and published them chronologically in this book.

He soon after took a job with GE as a corporate spokesperson and was shuttled around the country to speak on the company's behalf (despite his great fear of flying). It was during his time on the road that he really grew comfortable trusting Nancy with his innermost thoughts. And private they are! She was a friend, a lover, a mother (of both him and their children), priest, and parishioner.

I was struck by the eloquence in Reagan's writing. His often labeled "The Great Communicator", well, that holds true not just in his ability to give great speaches, he's an equally adept writer. Some of his letters are so tender, passionate, and well composed that it reads more like poetry than a simple letter.

I recommend this book to any who would like a deeper, more intimate understanding of who R. Reagan was when the lights were off, and cameras were stowed.

Christian Hunter