Random House Trade Eisenhower in War and Peace

Eisenhower - In War and Peace by Jean Edward Smith is a very good book examining the life of the Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces in Europe and, subsequently, 34th President of the United States. It is an informative, well-written and detailed work which provides an expert insight on a most extraordinary career.Dwight Eisenhower was in many respects an unlikely choice as respectively the head of the invasions of North Africa, Italy and Western Europe. He had not been to France as part of the American Expeditionary Force during World War I, had very little experience in command of troops - having served as a staff officer in both Washington and the Philippines - and was not regarded as especially adept in the field of military strategy in comparison to some of his erstwhile colleagues. He did, however, possess unique abilities which allowed him to oversee the largest amphibious assault in history, whilst holding together a diverse coalition of Allies and dealing with a multitude of difficulties.Although Eisenhower rightly deserves plaudits for his role in winning the Second World War, his political career has often been overlooked or unfairly criticized. In spite of the fact that he was not an ideologue and allowed his Cabinet Secretaries a great deal of autonomy, Eisenhower was not a figurehead President. He supported many aspects of the New Deal Settlement, he kept the United States engaged with the world, took action to enforce Civil Rights legislation, spoke out against the pernicious influence of Joseph McCarthy, balanced the budget and - his probably most tangible achievement - helped to create the Interstate Highway System. Further, as President, Eisenhower - unlike some of the other individuals who have resided in the White House - was willing to work with politicians of all stripes to create a consensus on many of the big issues facing the United States.Overall, an excellent biography.

800 odd pages but I swept through it at a very fast rate. Mainly because it is so well written, which personally I find as important in a biography as its subject! It also gave me (1) the feeling that I was "there" with Eisenhower as his life unfolded and (2) a broader overview of the events of the time. It effortlessly switches between the two perspectives, which is no mean feat for a biographer. I therefore intend to read Mr Smith's other books, because I found his writing style so accessible and interesting.

Eisenhower's was a life that touched and was touched by history, deserving an accomplished biographer. Smith seeks the deep character of his subject, for Eisenhower's story is of crucial strengths and human blemishes. The shortcomings and episodes that reveal them are indispensable to the picture, but Smith's admiration for Eisenhower is obvious, and it is no less than fair and justified.Ike was not the master military strategist, but he was unequalled at keeping a cast of quarrelsome egos to their mission, victory in Europe. The life-long military man could use friendships to advance himself, and become a politician, could dissemble and procrastinate with aplomb. As a President in the rise of the cold war, his leadership seems now, in retrospect, a vision for a greater good. Here is an imperfect man with a sense of principle, decisive and willing to shoulder responsibility, confident in the post of Commander in Chief.Smith's excellent biography has an engaging writing style. It embraces the wider historical contexts, and they are wide indeed. His prose flows from the individual to the protagonists to the strategic picture adroitly, without breaking the thread of the story.Smith admits that Ike is a difficult man to know to the full. Between lucidity and secretiveness, Ike kept part of himself behind a mask, but this book tells a seminal story well and argues convincingly for his place amongst the greats.

Makes a good case for Eisenhower as part of a lost moderate humane tradition within US republican party. Worth five stars if not for the suspicion that the author maybe was a little favouring of their subject.

Almost as good as McCullough's book on Harry S Truman, it has to be the best biography of Ike and superbly well written. An invaluable contribution to understanding post-war America and Europe.