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Eisenhower: A Soldier's Life
From the bestselling author of A Genius for War comes a compelling new account of the transformation of General Dwight D. Eisenhower, from apprehensive soldier to one of our greatest heros.
In the weeks leading up to D-Day, Dwight D. Eisenhower seethed with nervous energy. He had not expected his military career to bring him to this moment. The son of pacifists, Ike graduated from high school more likely to teach history than to make it. Casting new light on this profound evolution, Eisenhower chronicles the unlikely, dramatic rise of the supreme Allied commander.
Beginning with the lasting effect of Eisenhower's impoverished youth, bestselling biographer Carlo D'Este follows his subject through West Point and a sometimes troubled marriage; toil under MacArthur in the Philippines during the 1930s; the inner sanctums of the War Department; the general's painful North African apprenticeship; and, finally, the dramatic events leading to the Allied victory in May 1945.
Exposing for the first time numerous myths that have surrounded the war hero and his family (such as his romance with his wartime driver, Kay Summersby), D'Este also probes Eisenhower's famous clashes with his American peers and the British chiefs of staff, as well as his relations with legendary figures, including Winston Churchill and George S. Patton.
Unlike other biographies of the general, Eisenhower captures Ike's true character, from his youth to the pinnacle of his career and afterward.
In the weeks leading up to D-Day, Dwight D. Eisenhower seethed with nervous energy. He had not expected his military career to bring him to this moment. The son of pacifists, Ike graduated from high school more likely to teach history than to make it. Casting new light on this profound evolution, Eisenhower chronicles the unlikely, dramatic rise of the supreme Allied commander.
Beginning with the lasting effect of Eisenhower's impoverished youth, bestselling biographer Carlo D'Este follows his subject through West Point and a sometimes troubled marriage; toil under MacArthur in the Philippines during the 1930s; the inner sanctums of the War Department; the general's painful North African apprenticeship; and, finally, the dramatic events leading to the Allied victory in May 1945.
Exposing for the first time numerous myths that have surrounded the war hero and his family (such as his romance with his wartime driver, Kay Summersby), D'Este also probes Eisenhower's famous clashes with his American peers and the British chiefs of staff, as well as his relations with legendary figures, including Winston Churchill and George S. Patton.
Unlike other biographies of the general, Eisenhower captures Ike's true character, from his youth to the pinnacle of his career and afterward.
848 pages, Hardcover
First published June 4, 2002
124 people are currently reading
965 people want to read
About the author
Carlo D'Este
24 books65 followersCarlo D'Este retired from the U.S. Army as a lieutenant colonel in 1978, having served overseas in Germany, Vietnam, and England. Born in Oakland, California, he received his B.A. from Norwich University and his M.A. from the University of Richmond and an honorary doctorate of Humane Letters from Norwich in 1992.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
August 24, 2019
Carlo D’Este’s “Eisenhower” is nothing less than a tour de force. It reminded me of reading the first volume of Edmond Morris’s masterful TR trilogy. The only downside is that D’Este’s ends rather abruptly with Ike accepting Nazi Germany’s surrender in May 1945 and he has not written a sequel, so you will have to look elsewhere to learn about Ike’s presidency and the fate of the fascinating people around him. However, reading this only child brings many rewards, including a unique perspective on Ike’s life, deep insights into World War II, scrupulous objectivity, and fascinating details missing from shorter biographies.
I opted for the long version of Ike’s life for several reasons. I don’t remember ever discussing politics with my maternal grandparents, so imagine my surprise when I opened a box of pins I inherited and the only ones of a political nature declared, “I like Ike!” I was also interested in Ike’s family background because it is similar to my own. Like Ike’s father, both of my grandfathers’ ancestors immigrated to America from southern Germany in the mid-1700s and settled in Pennsylvania before moving West in the 1800s. Eisenhower (the original spelling was Eisenhauer, which means “ironcutter”) is the second of three German-Americans to become president. Sadly, the other two, Hoover (Huber) and Trump (Drumpf), are two of the worst presidents America has ever had…
I was also curious as to how someone raised by pacifist (Mennonite) parents could become, as one of his five brothers put it, “a professional killer.” Reading “Eisenhower,” I learned of a second great irony: Ike’s father still spoke German (in my family it died out one or two generations earlier), which made Ike’s visceral hatred of his ancestral homeland all the more fascinating. The Brits were very much aware of Ike’s origins, calling the area near one of his homes in London “Eisenhower Platz.”
Ike’s childhood was much like Harry Truman’s. Both were the sons of poor Midwestern farmers who tried and failed to go into business. Neither family could afford to send their bright and hard-working sons to college, so Ike chose West Point. Ironically, Truman was in combat in World War I while Ike was never even sent, possibly due to a bad knee. Not only did Ike never see combat, he never led troops into action--his troop commands were brief and stateside. I had no idea you could still become a general, much less a four-star general.
D’Este is the first professional soldier turned presidential historian that I have read, so he provides a unique perspective and window on Ike’s military career. I have given lectures at American military bases around the world, but I had no idea what it was like to live on one, not to mention attend a service academy or advanced training program.
The second half of D’Este’s 700 pages of main text focuses on Ike’s role in World War II. Having published several books on the European theater and a biography of Patton, D’Este is ideally suited to telling this story. It is heavy on battles, but D’Este is adept at intertwining the military engagements with Ike’s personal life, including his roller coaster marriage with Mamie Dowd, frigid relationship with his father and only surviving son, emotional entanglement with his Irish driver, Kay Summersby (there is no evidence of a physical relationship), never-ending clashes with his “prima donna” generals and the antics of one very cute little black Scottie.
I came away being less impressed with Ike than I thought I would be. No doubt, Ike had great ability, charisma and commitment. He faced brutally difficult decisions (like D-Day) and daunting alliance management issues. For starters, Churchill was an “irresistible force” that required an “immovable object” like Ike. De Gaulle was even more vexing. I think my disappointment is because D’Este does not shy away from discussing Ike’s personal shortcomings (like a raging temper) or numerous military failures. Our heroes are indeed all too human. At one point Ike meets with George Marshall wondering if he still has a job, only to find out he is getting another star. This would not be the first or last example D’Este cites of a general being promoted for failure.
Like Morris’s TR trilogy, this is a two-bookmark book as many of the footnotes are fascinating. A plea to publishers: Why can’t you put them on the actual page where they appear rather than as endnotes??? D’Este does not use obscure words like Morris, but his use of military terminology and acronyms sure would benefit from a couple of explanatory pages at the outset (quick-- Which has more soldiers, a brigade or a regiment?). A collection of short bios would also be a huge help. One final nit-pick: There are a number of minor errors, including the first map, which mixes up Morocco and Algeria.
In many ways, D’Este’s tome is the perfect follow-up to French’s “FDR” and McCullough’s “Truman.” World War II looks completely different from the perspective of a war fighter than a president. I also had no idea of the complexities involved in managing the alliance with the Brits. Ike spent much more time with Churchill than FDR and Truman combined. They each had a handfull of meetings; Ike and Winnie met weekly for a year and at least every few weeks for two more years. Marshall (a high school bears his name a few miles from my house) also comes across very differently as Ike’s boss than as one of FDR and Truman’s most trusted advisors. On the other hand, Douglas MacArthur comes across just as badly as he did in “Truman.” I think I will give away my copy of “American Caesar.”
So what comes next? I plan to read Ambrose’s “Eisenhower” for the period 1945-1960 and then Newton’s “Eisenhower: The White House Years.” Sometimes, you gotta make your own trilogy.
I opted for the long version of Ike’s life for several reasons. I don’t remember ever discussing politics with my maternal grandparents, so imagine my surprise when I opened a box of pins I inherited and the only ones of a political nature declared, “I like Ike!” I was also interested in Ike’s family background because it is similar to my own. Like Ike’s father, both of my grandfathers’ ancestors immigrated to America from southern Germany in the mid-1700s and settled in Pennsylvania before moving West in the 1800s. Eisenhower (the original spelling was Eisenhauer, which means “ironcutter”) is the second of three German-Americans to become president. Sadly, the other two, Hoover (Huber) and Trump (Drumpf), are two of the worst presidents America has ever had…
I was also curious as to how someone raised by pacifist (Mennonite) parents could become, as one of his five brothers put it, “a professional killer.” Reading “Eisenhower,” I learned of a second great irony: Ike’s father still spoke German (in my family it died out one or two generations earlier), which made Ike’s visceral hatred of his ancestral homeland all the more fascinating. The Brits were very much aware of Ike’s origins, calling the area near one of his homes in London “Eisenhower Platz.”
Ike’s childhood was much like Harry Truman’s. Both were the sons of poor Midwestern farmers who tried and failed to go into business. Neither family could afford to send their bright and hard-working sons to college, so Ike chose West Point. Ironically, Truman was in combat in World War I while Ike was never even sent, possibly due to a bad knee. Not only did Ike never see combat, he never led troops into action--his troop commands were brief and stateside. I had no idea you could still become a general, much less a four-star general.
D’Este is the first professional soldier turned presidential historian that I have read, so he provides a unique perspective and window on Ike’s military career. I have given lectures at American military bases around the world, but I had no idea what it was like to live on one, not to mention attend a service academy or advanced training program.
The second half of D’Este’s 700 pages of main text focuses on Ike’s role in World War II. Having published several books on the European theater and a biography of Patton, D’Este is ideally suited to telling this story. It is heavy on battles, but D’Este is adept at intertwining the military engagements with Ike’s personal life, including his roller coaster marriage with Mamie Dowd, frigid relationship with his father and only surviving son, emotional entanglement with his Irish driver, Kay Summersby (there is no evidence of a physical relationship), never-ending clashes with his “prima donna” generals and the antics of one very cute little black Scottie.
I came away being less impressed with Ike than I thought I would be. No doubt, Ike had great ability, charisma and commitment. He faced brutally difficult decisions (like D-Day) and daunting alliance management issues. For starters, Churchill was an “irresistible force” that required an “immovable object” like Ike. De Gaulle was even more vexing. I think my disappointment is because D’Este does not shy away from discussing Ike’s personal shortcomings (like a raging temper) or numerous military failures. Our heroes are indeed all too human. At one point Ike meets with George Marshall wondering if he still has a job, only to find out he is getting another star. This would not be the first or last example D’Este cites of a general being promoted for failure.
Like Morris’s TR trilogy, this is a two-bookmark book as many of the footnotes are fascinating. A plea to publishers: Why can’t you put them on the actual page where they appear rather than as endnotes??? D’Este does not use obscure words like Morris, but his use of military terminology and acronyms sure would benefit from a couple of explanatory pages at the outset (quick-- Which has more soldiers, a brigade or a regiment?). A collection of short bios would also be a huge help. One final nit-pick: There are a number of minor errors, including the first map, which mixes up Morocco and Algeria.
In many ways, D’Este’s tome is the perfect follow-up to French’s “FDR” and McCullough’s “Truman.” World War II looks completely different from the perspective of a war fighter than a president. I also had no idea of the complexities involved in managing the alliance with the Brits. Ike spent much more time with Churchill than FDR and Truman combined. They each had a handfull of meetings; Ike and Winnie met weekly for a year and at least every few weeks for two more years. Marshall (a high school bears his name a few miles from my house) also comes across very differently as Ike’s boss than as one of FDR and Truman’s most trusted advisors. On the other hand, Douglas MacArthur comes across just as badly as he did in “Truman.” I think I will give away my copy of “American Caesar.”
So what comes next? I plan to read Ambrose’s “Eisenhower” for the period 1945-1960 and then Newton’s “Eisenhower: The White House Years.” Sometimes, you gotta make your own trilogy.
December 19, 2016
https://bestpresidentialbios.com/2016...
“Eisenhower: A Soldier’s Life” by Carlo D’Este was published in 2002 and remains one of the most frequently read books on the thirty-fourth president. D’Este is a biographer, a military historian and a retired Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Army. He is best known for his critically acclaimed biography “Patton: A Genius for War.”
Excellent in many respects, D’Este’s biography of Eisenhower is regrettably not comprehensive. Its scope extends from Ike’s birth only through mid-1945 (the end of WWII in Europe) and therefore misses not only his two-term presidency but also his service as Army Chief of Staff and NATO Supreme Commander.
The fifty-five years of Eisenhower’s life which D’Este does cover are handled with considerable skill – from both a literary and analytical perspective. And his treatment of these years is extremely thorough with 705 pages of text and more than 100 pages of end-notes.
The first half of the biography (up through his move to Europe in 1942) is nothing short of fantastic. These 300+ pages provide the reader with an incredibly revealing look at Eisenhower’s childhood as well as a surprisingly colorful and comprehensible review of his otherwise tedious thirty-year military career preceding World War II.
Hardly a paragraph – and never a page – passes by without a deeply relevant or particularly insightful observation or conclusion. A complete biography as good as these thirty chapters would undoubtedly rate among the top five or six presidential biographies I’ve ever read.
The second half of D’Este’s biography covers Eisenhower’s military service in Europe beginning with his command of operations in North Africa in 1942. Far more an operational analysis of the war than a biography, these chapters are always informative and often interesting…but attention is frequently diverted away from the main character in favor of tactical and strategic matters.
Many events outside Eisenhower’s sphere are discussed extensively but never linked to Eisenhower in a meaningful way. Yet critical figures who do not directly interact with Ike frequently (such as FDR) rarely appear at all. Students of military history will find this portion of the book fascinating (and possibly invaluable) but Eisenhower is sometimes lost in the fog of war, both literally and figuratively.
On the whole, D’Este’s treatment of his subject is positive but judicious. He is rarely reluctant to censure Ike for his hot temper, lack of warmth toward his family or his inexplicable lack of strategic and tactical vision on the battlefield. But the author’s handling of the Kay Summersby topic is curious (he largely absolves Ike but is far too defensive in the process) and Mamie Eisenhower feels remarkably one-dimensional.
Overall, Carlo D’Este is demonstrably a skilled military historian and an excellent biographer. “Eisenhower: A Soldier’s Life” is a great biography of the first 52 years of Ike’s life followed by a compelling analysis of the European theatre during World War II. It is unfortunate D’Este was unable to pursue Eisenhower through his presidency; as a result, this book proves no more or less than an invaluable study of Eisenhower’s early years and an informative review of his military career.
Overall rating: 4 stars
“Eisenhower: A Soldier’s Life” by Carlo D’Este was published in 2002 and remains one of the most frequently read books on the thirty-fourth president. D’Este is a biographer, a military historian and a retired Lt. Colonel in the U.S. Army. He is best known for his critically acclaimed biography “Patton: A Genius for War.”
Excellent in many respects, D’Este’s biography of Eisenhower is regrettably not comprehensive. Its scope extends from Ike’s birth only through mid-1945 (the end of WWII in Europe) and therefore misses not only his two-term presidency but also his service as Army Chief of Staff and NATO Supreme Commander.
The fifty-five years of Eisenhower’s life which D’Este does cover are handled with considerable skill – from both a literary and analytical perspective. And his treatment of these years is extremely thorough with 705 pages of text and more than 100 pages of end-notes.
The first half of the biography (up through his move to Europe in 1942) is nothing short of fantastic. These 300+ pages provide the reader with an incredibly revealing look at Eisenhower’s childhood as well as a surprisingly colorful and comprehensible review of his otherwise tedious thirty-year military career preceding World War II.
Hardly a paragraph – and never a page – passes by without a deeply relevant or particularly insightful observation or conclusion. A complete biography as good as these thirty chapters would undoubtedly rate among the top five or six presidential biographies I’ve ever read.
The second half of D’Este’s biography covers Eisenhower’s military service in Europe beginning with his command of operations in North Africa in 1942. Far more an operational analysis of the war than a biography, these chapters are always informative and often interesting…but attention is frequently diverted away from the main character in favor of tactical and strategic matters.
Many events outside Eisenhower’s sphere are discussed extensively but never linked to Eisenhower in a meaningful way. Yet critical figures who do not directly interact with Ike frequently (such as FDR) rarely appear at all. Students of military history will find this portion of the book fascinating (and possibly invaluable) but Eisenhower is sometimes lost in the fog of war, both literally and figuratively.
On the whole, D’Este’s treatment of his subject is positive but judicious. He is rarely reluctant to censure Ike for his hot temper, lack of warmth toward his family or his inexplicable lack of strategic and tactical vision on the battlefield. But the author’s handling of the Kay Summersby topic is curious (he largely absolves Ike but is far too defensive in the process) and Mamie Eisenhower feels remarkably one-dimensional.
Overall, Carlo D’Este is demonstrably a skilled military historian and an excellent biographer. “Eisenhower: A Soldier’s Life” is a great biography of the first 52 years of Ike’s life followed by a compelling analysis of the European theatre during World War II. It is unfortunate D’Este was unable to pursue Eisenhower through his presidency; as a result, this book proves no more or less than an invaluable study of Eisenhower’s early years and an informative review of his military career.
Overall rating: 4 stars
July 1, 2025
One of the best biographies I have ever read. My only disappointment is that it ends with the surrender of Germany in World War II. It was a very, very long 700 pages, but I wish a second volume through his Presidency was available by this author because I was enthralled from the first to the last page. Cannot recommend this book enough for anyone interested in Eisenhower.
July 30, 2014
D'Este writes an exhaustive biography of Eisenhower up to the end of the European theater of WWII in May 1945. Clearly, he spent many years working on this massive tome. Exquisite detail is evident throughout the book, starting with the background of Eisenhower's father, David, continuing through Eisenhower's youth and his often contentious relationships with his several brothers, on through his years at West Point, then his glacially slow rise in the Army that culminates with him becoming General of the Army and Allied Supreme Commander. The 'Notes' section itself almost serves as supplementary reading!
D'Este is especially good at debunking the myriad myths that have sprung up around Eisenhower - from alleged fights in high school all the way to his supposed affair with Kay Summersby. On the latter, D'Este provides a fairly solid case to substantiate his assertion that - while we can never with 100% accuracy know the truth - it would be really hard to believe that an affair had indeed occurred. That Eisenhower was guilty of poor judgment in the matter is beyond question.
I enjoyed D'Este's chronicle of Eisenhower's professional frustrations over the course of his first 25 years in the Army - not seeing combat in WWI, being reprimanded for his views on the importance of tank training, being chosen at certain locations because he was a good football coach, his boiling anger at being branded a "staff officer" who has no combat experience when he just wanted to command troops, his toiling under Douglas MacArthur's massive ego, and finally - when he achieves the ultimate recognition by General George Marshall and FDR - his constant attempts to keep the Allies together. D'Este's depictions of Eisenhower's relationships with all of the relevant players in WWII combine to provide an excellent character study of Eisenhower. Despite the many mistakes that he made (and there were a plethora of them), somehow he managed to hold everything together and come out victorious. I seriously question how many people could realistically have accomplished what he did, and did it so admirably.
D'Este, while certainly admiring of Eisenhower's deft handling of many gigantic egos (Churchill, Patton, MacArthur, Bradley, Montgomery, de Gaulle, FDR), provides a balanced portrait of Eisenhower in relation to his family. He always put his family a distinct second place to his career. While not necessarily treating his wife, Mamie, poorly, he was not husband of the year either. His relationship with his son, John, was strained and difficult - with Eisenhower either unwilling or incapable of expressing his true feelings to his son. (Eisenhower had this same problem - on a professional basis - with Patton: unable to compliment and acknowledge accomplishments.) Eisenhower refused to fly back to Kansas to attend his father's funeral, this prior to Eisenhower being named a commander in Europe. He could have went back; he chose not to, for reasons only he knew.
Originally, I was going to rate this book three stars because of the following: I am more interested in Eisenhower's presidential years than his military years, and this biography contains none of that time period (I read it to gain a better insight into him as a person); the book abruptly ends with the surrender of Germany - D'Este does not discuss the difficulties Eisenhower faced in troop reduction in Europe, not does he discuss his later time as Chief of Staff and then commander of NATO; along with the quick ending, we get no sense of how Eisenhower really felt at the end, and what his feelings were on finally being able to return to the U.S.; and, I would have liked to have seen D'Este discuss - briefly - Eisenhower's post-war relationships with the people that he worked so closely with throughout the war. Despite those things, D'Este deserves better than three stars simply because he invested so much into this book and he made it eminently readable.
D'Este is especially good at debunking the myriad myths that have sprung up around Eisenhower - from alleged fights in high school all the way to his supposed affair with Kay Summersby. On the latter, D'Este provides a fairly solid case to substantiate his assertion that - while we can never with 100% accuracy know the truth - it would be really hard to believe that an affair had indeed occurred. That Eisenhower was guilty of poor judgment in the matter is beyond question.
I enjoyed D'Este's chronicle of Eisenhower's professional frustrations over the course of his first 25 years in the Army - not seeing combat in WWI, being reprimanded for his views on the importance of tank training, being chosen at certain locations because he was a good football coach, his boiling anger at being branded a "staff officer" who has no combat experience when he just wanted to command troops, his toiling under Douglas MacArthur's massive ego, and finally - when he achieves the ultimate recognition by General George Marshall and FDR - his constant attempts to keep the Allies together. D'Este's depictions of Eisenhower's relationships with all of the relevant players in WWII combine to provide an excellent character study of Eisenhower. Despite the many mistakes that he made (and there were a plethora of them), somehow he managed to hold everything together and come out victorious. I seriously question how many people could realistically have accomplished what he did, and did it so admirably.
D'Este, while certainly admiring of Eisenhower's deft handling of many gigantic egos (Churchill, Patton, MacArthur, Bradley, Montgomery, de Gaulle, FDR), provides a balanced portrait of Eisenhower in relation to his family. He always put his family a distinct second place to his career. While not necessarily treating his wife, Mamie, poorly, he was not husband of the year either. His relationship with his son, John, was strained and difficult - with Eisenhower either unwilling or incapable of expressing his true feelings to his son. (Eisenhower had this same problem - on a professional basis - with Patton: unable to compliment and acknowledge accomplishments.) Eisenhower refused to fly back to Kansas to attend his father's funeral, this prior to Eisenhower being named a commander in Europe. He could have went back; he chose not to, for reasons only he knew.
Originally, I was going to rate this book three stars because of the following: I am more interested in Eisenhower's presidential years than his military years, and this biography contains none of that time period (I read it to gain a better insight into him as a person); the book abruptly ends with the surrender of Germany - D'Este does not discuss the difficulties Eisenhower faced in troop reduction in Europe, not does he discuss his later time as Chief of Staff and then commander of NATO; along with the quick ending, we get no sense of how Eisenhower really felt at the end, and what his feelings were on finally being able to return to the U.S.; and, I would have liked to have seen D'Este discuss - briefly - Eisenhower's post-war relationships with the people that he worked so closely with throughout the war. Despite those things, D'Este deserves better than three stars simply because he invested so much into this book and he made it eminently readable.
July 1, 2021
Incredible. Such a personal and thorough account of Eisenhower’s childhood through WWII. I loved every page
February 14, 2013
A good, thorough and impartial biography of Eisenhower. The book focuses on his career as a soldier and military leader and thus ends immediately following the signing of the armistice in Europe.
I'm tempted to say that, as a biography, this book isn't as good as D'Este's definitive work on Patton. But I'm not sure it would be a fair comparison, Patton was such a mercurial figure, both grandly heroic and tragic. It seems easier to reach conclusions about him.
By contrast, the central question about Eisenhower is more subtle. Was Eisenhower, a man with no combat experience and very little troop experience, good enough military tactician and leader to deserve his place as supreme allied commander? Or was he a very talented staffer whose primary skill was the military political oversight of the allied war effort, which might have been exactly what the Allies needed.
D'este suggests that the record shows that Eisenhower was, as he described himself, the chairman of the war effort, who perhaps had a higher opinion of his strategic leadership than he should have. But D'Este never begins to answer the question of whether Eisenhower's military short comings prolonged the war in Europe and resulting in the needless deaths of more soldiers on all sides. Granted that this is a huge, and ultimately unanswerable question, but the answer seems central to evaluating Eisenhower's WWII leadership.
One of the interesting aspects of this book is that we see traits here that later play out in Eisenhower's political career. Notably, Eisenhower's unwillingness to personally challenge and relieve Lloyd Frendenall after the disaster at Kasserine Pass, his relief of Terry Allen, the effective but unpolished commander of the big red one, and his discomfort working with generals who were not part of his personal clique. Together, these points suggest a man who was not as secure in his command authority as he should have been or as he might have been if he'd had more time in lesser command positions. When one looks at Eisenhower the politician, one clearly sees these traits come out again in Eisenhower's multiple failures to confront Senator Joe McCarthy and in the selection and handling of his vice-president, Richard Nixon.
Though in places it seemed rushed and the book definitely needed a better editor, once again, D'Este shows his skills as a biographer and his knowledge and understanding of the western front during WWII. Overall this is a worthwhile read.
I'm tempted to say that, as a biography, this book isn't as good as D'Este's definitive work on Patton. But I'm not sure it would be a fair comparison, Patton was such a mercurial figure, both grandly heroic and tragic. It seems easier to reach conclusions about him.
By contrast, the central question about Eisenhower is more subtle. Was Eisenhower, a man with no combat experience and very little troop experience, good enough military tactician and leader to deserve his place as supreme allied commander? Or was he a very talented staffer whose primary skill was the military political oversight of the allied war effort, which might have been exactly what the Allies needed.
D'este suggests that the record shows that Eisenhower was, as he described himself, the chairman of the war effort, who perhaps had a higher opinion of his strategic leadership than he should have. But D'Este never begins to answer the question of whether Eisenhower's military short comings prolonged the war in Europe and resulting in the needless deaths of more soldiers on all sides. Granted that this is a huge, and ultimately unanswerable question, but the answer seems central to evaluating Eisenhower's WWII leadership.
One of the interesting aspects of this book is that we see traits here that later play out in Eisenhower's political career. Notably, Eisenhower's unwillingness to personally challenge and relieve Lloyd Frendenall after the disaster at Kasserine Pass, his relief of Terry Allen, the effective but unpolished commander of the big red one, and his discomfort working with generals who were not part of his personal clique. Together, these points suggest a man who was not as secure in his command authority as he should have been or as he might have been if he'd had more time in lesser command positions. When one looks at Eisenhower the politician, one clearly sees these traits come out again in Eisenhower's multiple failures to confront Senator Joe McCarthy and in the selection and handling of his vice-president, Richard Nixon.
Though in places it seemed rushed and the book definitely needed a better editor, once again, D'Este shows his skills as a biographer and his knowledge and understanding of the western front during WWII. Overall this is a worthwhile read.
July 4, 2018
Eisenhower: A soldier's Life was my first introduction to Carlo D'Este and he didn't disappoint - although I would say that he is likely not my favorite author that still is no discredit to his ability. His writing flowed well and felt like a story and he really brought Ike's life alive.
The book itself covers between Ike's birth and youth all the way to the end of World War 2, which, to me is a rather strange layout and it does not appear that he will be making a book about Eisenhowers later years in a sequel so it was kind of awkward in that sense. It also strikes me as odd that there isn't more written on him, although I suppose there isn't nearly as much to write given Ike's military career was relatively boring so to speak and calm as he did not see nearly as much action as MacArthur or Patton or arguably Marshall.
It was also quite interesting in this book to see how brilliant Ike really was as a soldier while also interesting after reading the biographies of MacArthur and seeing in them, his relationship with Ike, to then see the perspective of Ike toward MacArthur and their relationship on the other foot. Definitely made a reassess your opinion. It was also interesting to see how D'Este subtly posed the question of if Ike was in fact that right man for the job to command the operations of Torch and Husky and Overlord given that he had always been an office soldier and having no real experience commanding men. I personally come down on the side that while Ike may not have been as in command or authoritative or decisive as perhaps Alan Brooke or Montgomery and tended to put the British as priority over the Americans in leading operations which Patton and Marshall didn't like, he definitely brought a very diplomatic approach as the commander which proved to be to their benefit.
I did not score the book higher not out of lack of enthusiasm for the writer and his abilities but rather I felt the story kind of shifted gears at the commencement of World War 2 and D'Este almost seemed to have changed his approach to the writing no longer making it as a story style but rather breaking the war down tactically - at least it seemed to me which kind of slowed the book down a little.
The book itself covers between Ike's birth and youth all the way to the end of World War 2, which, to me is a rather strange layout and it does not appear that he will be making a book about Eisenhowers later years in a sequel so it was kind of awkward in that sense. It also strikes me as odd that there isn't more written on him, although I suppose there isn't nearly as much to write given Ike's military career was relatively boring so to speak and calm as he did not see nearly as much action as MacArthur or Patton or arguably Marshall.
It was also quite interesting in this book to see how brilliant Ike really was as a soldier while also interesting after reading the biographies of MacArthur and seeing in them, his relationship with Ike, to then see the perspective of Ike toward MacArthur and their relationship on the other foot. Definitely made a reassess your opinion. It was also interesting to see how D'Este subtly posed the question of if Ike was in fact that right man for the job to command the operations of Torch and Husky and Overlord given that he had always been an office soldier and having no real experience commanding men. I personally come down on the side that while Ike may not have been as in command or authoritative or decisive as perhaps Alan Brooke or Montgomery and tended to put the British as priority over the Americans in leading operations which Patton and Marshall didn't like, he definitely brought a very diplomatic approach as the commander which proved to be to their benefit.
I did not score the book higher not out of lack of enthusiasm for the writer and his abilities but rather I felt the story kind of shifted gears at the commencement of World War 2 and D'Este almost seemed to have changed his approach to the writing no longer making it as a story style but rather breaking the war down tactically - at least it seemed to me which kind of slowed the book down a little.
January 23, 2019
D'Este delivered a very good account of Eisenhower's life and career up to the end VE Day. It does not go past 1945 and into his years as president. That doesn't in any way diminish his effort. He gives sufficient coverage of his childhood, time at West Point, and his marriage to Mamie. World War II, of course, constitutes the bulk of the book.
My only criticism is that a major theme of the book is that too much is made of the dislike between the American and British generals. It seems that the focus at times is to play up the arguments, disagreements, and jealousies between them. This tone usually spills over to disdain for Eisenhower, and it comes from all directions. In fact, sometimes the reader is left with feeling that nobody really thought Ike was a capable commander at all. All this maybe true, but the other side of the coin, which isn't conveyed at all by the author, is that there was a tremendous amount of collaborative effort between the two allies that emanated from great, mutual respect between Roosevelt and Churchill. The reader is left with wondering how anything ever got accomplished because nobody agreed on anything.
My only criticism is that a major theme of the book is that too much is made of the dislike between the American and British generals. It seems that the focus at times is to play up the arguments, disagreements, and jealousies between them. This tone usually spills over to disdain for Eisenhower, and it comes from all directions. In fact, sometimes the reader is left with feeling that nobody really thought Ike was a capable commander at all. All this maybe true, but the other side of the coin, which isn't conveyed at all by the author, is that there was a tremendous amount of collaborative effort between the two allies that emanated from great, mutual respect between Roosevelt and Churchill. The reader is left with wondering how anything ever got accomplished because nobody agreed on anything.
January 8, 2018
D'Este does a fantastic job, not only capturing Eisenhower the man, but also in presenting and analyzing the Western Allies' struggle against the Axis, and each other, in World War II. I admit to only reading the 350 odd pages after the Torch landings in Africa, but they left we wanting to read more by D'Este, and that's high praise indeed.
December 20, 2018
Great to get to know a romanticized hero his dark periods, insecurities, development, career path, character and childhood. With awesome hindsight the author often discusses single events from different perspectives based on how the key players noted it in their own diary. it were different times, but it were epic times.
January 30, 2024
Really good biography of Eisenhower through WWII.
The author gave an unbiased view of both Eisenhower and all the major figures that surrounded him. He was neither a cheerleader nor a denigrator but both in that he praised some aspects and decisions while also being justifiably critical of other flaws.
The author gave an unbiased view of both Eisenhower and all the major figures that surrounded him. He was neither a cheerleader nor a denigrator but both in that he praised some aspects and decisions while also being justifiably critical of other flaws.
January 10, 2025
Comprehensive and Enlightening
I had never been impressed by Eisenhower as a General or POTUS until I read this book. Clearly, Eisenhower was indeed a consequential leader whose negotiating skills, strategic acumen and focus all combined to keep the Allied forces united despite the constant challenges posed by the inflated egos of Churchill, Montgomery, Bradley and Patton.
I had never been impressed by Eisenhower as a General or POTUS until I read this book. Clearly, Eisenhower was indeed a consequential leader whose negotiating skills, strategic acumen and focus all combined to keep the Allied forces united despite the constant challenges posed by the inflated egos of Churchill, Montgomery, Bradley and Patton.
October 12, 2017
Well Done!
This is the most comprehensive and even handed history of one of the greatest periods of the 20th Century. A human icing description of the man and his immediate staff..
This is the most comprehensive and even handed history of one of the greatest periods of the 20th Century. A human icing description of the man and his immediate staff..
May 30, 2025
Well.researched and detailed
Lots of incredibly detailed analysis and comprehensive review of the most horrific years ever. A must for serious students of the life of General Eisenhower.
Lots of incredibly detailed analysis and comprehensive review of the most horrific years ever. A must for serious students of the life of General Eisenhower.
February 2, 2018
Wow. I read part of this book as a student of the US Army War College and was so mesmerized, I bought my own copy and look forward to reading the rest of it.
December 8, 2009
This massive biography of Dwight Eisenhower, focusing on his life up until World War II's end (705 pages of text), is a major investment of time--but well worth it. A major strength of this work is the nuanced analysis of Ike, both his strengths and his weaknesses. He had many flaws, but he also had certain character traits that served the nation and the allies well.
The author says of Eisenhower (page 5): "The path from the poverty of turn-of-the-century Abilene, Kansas, to supreme Allied commander was as improbable as it was spectacular." Eisenhower, in short, advanced far further in his military career than almost anyone could have guessed. This volume tries to explain that and to assess his work.
The book is divided into several parts. The first examines the background of the family, from 1741-1909. Part II focuses on "The Accidental Soldier." Ike really had no clear career goals after high school. At the advice of family friends, he worked to get into the military. He finally was admitted to West Point. His career at West Point is outlined (not distinguished, not bad).
During the years of World War I, he missed combat action. Instead, he was involved in training troops. During this time, he also became involved in the development of tanks as weapon systems. On page 137, D'Este notes that "During the rush to return soldiers to civilian life, an appeal was made to induce enough men to form the nucleus of a postwar tank corps to remain on active duty." Eisenhower was one of those.
Part IV examines the interwar years and Eisenhower's role. General Fox Connor took Ike under his wing. Over this period, he became a valued staff officer. In 1933 he (page 217), ". . .commenced what would be nearly seven years as a staff officer and principal assistant to [General Douglas:] MacArthur in Washington and Manila." It was not the best of times for Eisenhower, given MacArthur's and his disagreements. He returned to the United States.
Part V focuses on the preparation for war, from 1940-1942. Ike's role was not to be what he desired--combat action. He was coveted for staff support. After seemingly improbable events, Eisenhower became the chief American army commander in North Africa (Part VI outlines his Mediterranean career). There were many frustrations--including working with a variety of prima donnas, from George Patton to Bernard Montgomery. Things started off dismally in North Africa for the American forces, although the troops grew with experience. Then, Sicily and the unfortunate showdown with Patton after his mistreatment of a soldier..
Part VII examines the invasion of Europe and the immense toll that this took on Eisenhower. Part VIII considers the breakout from Normandy to victory.
The book illustrates Ike's weaknesses--lack of command experience, poor record in a number of operations (Anzio and Arnhem, for example), having to spend much of his time trying to negotiate between different commanders with very different views and often letting politics determine the outcome (e.g., Patton versus Montgomery). On the other hand, his patience and diplomacy kept fractious generals working together.
The book makes us aware of his failings--but also his successes. He was a complex person and his record is not an unalloyed success. But he may have been the right person to lead the Allied forces in the later years of World War II in Europe.
All in all, a very strong biography.
The author says of Eisenhower (page 5): "The path from the poverty of turn-of-the-century Abilene, Kansas, to supreme Allied commander was as improbable as it was spectacular." Eisenhower, in short, advanced far further in his military career than almost anyone could have guessed. This volume tries to explain that and to assess his work.
The book is divided into several parts. The first examines the background of the family, from 1741-1909. Part II focuses on "The Accidental Soldier." Ike really had no clear career goals after high school. At the advice of family friends, he worked to get into the military. He finally was admitted to West Point. His career at West Point is outlined (not distinguished, not bad).
During the years of World War I, he missed combat action. Instead, he was involved in training troops. During this time, he also became involved in the development of tanks as weapon systems. On page 137, D'Este notes that "During the rush to return soldiers to civilian life, an appeal was made to induce enough men to form the nucleus of a postwar tank corps to remain on active duty." Eisenhower was one of those.
Part IV examines the interwar years and Eisenhower's role. General Fox Connor took Ike under his wing. Over this period, he became a valued staff officer. In 1933 he (page 217), ". . .commenced what would be nearly seven years as a staff officer and principal assistant to [General Douglas:] MacArthur in Washington and Manila." It was not the best of times for Eisenhower, given MacArthur's and his disagreements. He returned to the United States.
Part V focuses on the preparation for war, from 1940-1942. Ike's role was not to be what he desired--combat action. He was coveted for staff support. After seemingly improbable events, Eisenhower became the chief American army commander in North Africa (Part VI outlines his Mediterranean career). There were many frustrations--including working with a variety of prima donnas, from George Patton to Bernard Montgomery. Things started off dismally in North Africa for the American forces, although the troops grew with experience. Then, Sicily and the unfortunate showdown with Patton after his mistreatment of a soldier..
Part VII examines the invasion of Europe and the immense toll that this took on Eisenhower. Part VIII considers the breakout from Normandy to victory.
The book illustrates Ike's weaknesses--lack of command experience, poor record in a number of operations (Anzio and Arnhem, for example), having to spend much of his time trying to negotiate between different commanders with very different views and often letting politics determine the outcome (e.g., Patton versus Montgomery). On the other hand, his patience and diplomacy kept fractious generals working together.
The book makes us aware of his failings--but also his successes. He was a complex person and his record is not an unalloyed success. But he may have been the right person to lead the Allied forces in the later years of World War II in Europe.
All in all, a very strong biography.
Read
August 23, 2017It would seem that it is hard to write a biography of Eisenhower. He was a professional soldier, albeit a very ambitious one, with the professional soldier's wish to remain out of the public eye. Much of this biography is based on reports by others, their diaries and memoirs (intended for public consumption, and therefore necessarily self-serving and not necessarily reliable).
What remains is the story of a most remarkable man, who hardly heard a shot fired in anger in his life, and who had no combat command experience whatsoever, who nonetheless rose to become one of the few five-star Generals of the Army ever created.
How and why this happened still remain somewhat of a mystery, even after reading this biography. While possessed of an explosive temper, Eisenhower managed to hold together the fragile Anglo-American alliance, whereby he had to massage the fragile egos of the prima donnas wearing the stars of command; including his friends Patton and Bradley, who later fell out with him, chiefly because they believed he was over-favouring the British. Of course, the British had their own temperamental stars, Montgomery, Brookes, and Leigh-Mallory, among others, and Monty, in particular, was a thorn in everyone's side, including Eisenhower's, even though there was a high degree of personal affection there. The fact that he could manage to survive and bind together these forces, fighting off well-meaning but useless "assistance" from Churchill, FDR and de Gaulle, among others, is a testament to a high degree of diplomatic, if not military, skill.
The book naturally deals with the Second World War chiefly from an American perspective, and does its best to portray the US military effort in the best possible light, but reading between the lines, it is hard to avoid agreeing with the British generals' assessment of the American forces - that they were actually not very good at what they set out to do. Not that the British actually achieved very much more, but one gets the impression that they managed to do more with less. Possibly the low point for the American forces came in the Battle of the Bulge, when the local American force commander proved useless and Bradley likewise seemed powerless to exercise command. Though Eisenhower was criticized for moving Montgomery into the command of American troops, it is hard to see what else he could have done, given what was available to him.
I have the feeling that D'Este is more inclined to the flamboyant blood and guts Patton than the administrator Eisenhower. His biography of Patton is on my to-read list. As for this one, I have to say that he has done his best to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, but the porcine nature of the raw material is still apparent.
What remains is the story of a most remarkable man, who hardly heard a shot fired in anger in his life, and who had no combat command experience whatsoever, who nonetheless rose to become one of the few five-star Generals of the Army ever created.
How and why this happened still remain somewhat of a mystery, even after reading this biography. While possessed of an explosive temper, Eisenhower managed to hold together the fragile Anglo-American alliance, whereby he had to massage the fragile egos of the prima donnas wearing the stars of command; including his friends Patton and Bradley, who later fell out with him, chiefly because they believed he was over-favouring the British. Of course, the British had their own temperamental stars, Montgomery, Brookes, and Leigh-Mallory, among others, and Monty, in particular, was a thorn in everyone's side, including Eisenhower's, even though there was a high degree of personal affection there. The fact that he could manage to survive and bind together these forces, fighting off well-meaning but useless "assistance" from Churchill, FDR and de Gaulle, among others, is a testament to a high degree of diplomatic, if not military, skill.
The book naturally deals with the Second World War chiefly from an American perspective, and does its best to portray the US military effort in the best possible light, but reading between the lines, it is hard to avoid agreeing with the British generals' assessment of the American forces - that they were actually not very good at what they set out to do. Not that the British actually achieved very much more, but one gets the impression that they managed to do more with less. Possibly the low point for the American forces came in the Battle of the Bulge, when the local American force commander proved useless and Bradley likewise seemed powerless to exercise command. Though Eisenhower was criticized for moving Montgomery into the command of American troops, it is hard to see what else he could have done, given what was available to him.
I have the feeling that D'Este is more inclined to the flamboyant blood and guts Patton than the administrator Eisenhower. His biography of Patton is on my to-read list. As for this one, I have to say that he has done his best to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, but the porcine nature of the raw material is still apparent.
November 17, 2008
"Eisenhower" by Carlo D'Este comes in second to his earlier work, "Patton," but this I blame on the subject,not the author. Patton was a pretty crazy, outgoing guy who wrote a lot and never kept secret his contempt for others. Eisenhower always kept it inside. This made him hard to read as a person.
D'Este interviews family members to find out more about "dad". Grown-up kids really fill in this void well, as they can add a layer of understanding once they achieve grown-up perspective. In Eisenhower's case, even personal letters to his wife don't reveal much, and his son can only recall a distant relationship with a giant (this was before Ike became a general!).
Some light is shed on how Eisenhower used staff, as well as the usual troubles of trying to manage a coalition war. Broad front became a political necessity since any thrust made by one side would be resented by the other, thus threatening the alliance. Patton could afford to be outspoken, as the office politics of the war at the top was way above his pay scale. Not Ike. Unlike Britain's Alan Brooke, who vented his frustrations in his diary, Eisenhower never went that far in print.
As for the Kay Sommersby Affair, D'Este dismisses it as rumor for lack of any paper trail or friend who was willing to break confidence with the deceased. (Unless Ike and Kay were so discreet that they put nothing on paper and never confided the secret to anyone.)
I'd rate D'Este's "Eisenhower" at three stars. Buy the book if you find it in a used bookstore. D'Este is a solid writer and the book is a pretty good read.
D'Este interviews family members to find out more about "dad". Grown-up kids really fill in this void well, as they can add a layer of understanding once they achieve grown-up perspective. In Eisenhower's case, even personal letters to his wife don't reveal much, and his son can only recall a distant relationship with a giant (this was before Ike became a general!).
Some light is shed on how Eisenhower used staff, as well as the usual troubles of trying to manage a coalition war. Broad front became a political necessity since any thrust made by one side would be resented by the other, thus threatening the alliance. Patton could afford to be outspoken, as the office politics of the war at the top was way above his pay scale. Not Ike. Unlike Britain's Alan Brooke, who vented his frustrations in his diary, Eisenhower never went that far in print.
As for the Kay Sommersby Affair, D'Este dismisses it as rumor for lack of any paper trail or friend who was willing to break confidence with the deceased. (Unless Ike and Kay were so discreet that they put nothing on paper and never confided the secret to anyone.)
I'd rate D'Este's "Eisenhower" at three stars. Buy the book if you find it in a used bookstore. D'Este is a solid writer and the book is a pretty good read.
May 13, 2012
I read Section VI, (Chapters 30-36) as a reading assignment for my first course at the US Army War College in "Strategic Leadership". This section of the book describes is trial by fire as a strategic leader and preparation as the Supreme Commander of Allied forces in the European Theatre. I found the chapters compelling and vowed to return to read the entire book following graduation in 2011.
The book focus is on Eisenhower's life as a soldier, but provides a good understanding of his family, family life and upbringing that lead him to seek a career as an Army Officer. Raised in "hardscrable poverty" in rural Kansas the son of a failed businessman father and a devout Jehovah's Witness Mother, he rose from obscurity to become Supreme Commander of all Allied Forces in WWII. The book describes not only his education as a professional Soldier, but his failings and successes and presents the conduct of WWII in the European theatre in a strategic setting.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in military history and WWII. While he "achieved everlasting distinction as the thirty-fourth President of the United States, Dwight David Eisenhower would have been elated merely to be remembered as a good soldier."
The book focus is on Eisenhower's life as a soldier, but provides a good understanding of his family, family life and upbringing that lead him to seek a career as an Army Officer. Raised in "hardscrable poverty" in rural Kansas the son of a failed businessman father and a devout Jehovah's Witness Mother, he rose from obscurity to become Supreme Commander of all Allied Forces in WWII. The book describes not only his education as a professional Soldier, but his failings and successes and presents the conduct of WWII in the European theatre in a strategic setting.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in military history and WWII. While he "achieved everlasting distinction as the thirty-fourth President of the United States, Dwight David Eisenhower would have been elated merely to be remembered as a good soldier."
December 7, 2016
This is a thorough assessment of General of the Army Eisenhower! Carlo D'Este is complementary and critical of General Ike's leadership during the Second World War. The author also weaves the family life of the General throughout the book. Ike's relationship with his parents, brothers, spouse, son and with his WWII driver, Kay Summersby are addressed giving some light to the character and upbringing of Dwight Eisenhower. The author is very critical of General of the Army Bradley's style and substance of leadership especially his handling of the first two days of the Ardennes, Battle of the Bulge. D'Este is less critical and somewhat defensive of Field Marshall Montgomery. He attributes many of the actions of General Montgomery to his drive for victory rather than from personal conceit or narcissism. He thinks most of the WWII leaders and post war historians got it wrong in their analysis of Monty. This is a very good read and I recommend it to all those interested in WWII, and General Eisenhower.
October 23, 2012
Retired Army officer and military historian, D'Este has written a comprehensive biography of Ike's military career. He begins with a brief family history and Dwight David's (Ike) humble birth in Denison, Texas. D'Este takes a balanced, critical view of Eisenhower http://www.ipl.org/div/potus/ddeisenh... detailing the strength and weaknesses of his military leadership and connecting to traits leading to his political success. My personal interest in reading about Ike's life began with knowledge that my maternal grandfather was a schoolmate (Grandfather Reade was four years older than Ike) of Ike's in Abilene http://www.baconlinks.com/DDE/DDE.html Kansas and that their families were neighbors and friends. Another connection, both the Eisenhower's and the Reade's had a brood of seven boys. (lj)
January 28, 2009
Eisenhower went from Lt Col to 5 star general and SHAFE ( Supreme Commander Allied Forces Europe - overall in charge of 2 1/2 million forces and tens of thousends of tanks, ships and plaines. His greatest task was keeping the Allies together - no little task with all the egos. He was a super manager of men and material and was spotted very early in his career. His personality was such that he was liked and apparently personable, and, at the same time, a very unemotional and tacturn man. This book is very detailed (900+pp, small print) and lets you draw your own conclusions about how his personality led to his success. the book is good but left me wondering more about him and his personality.
June 8, 2023
Probably the best thing about D'Este's books is he provides a new perspective on the Soldiers and campaigns he writes about. This biography of Eisenhower is no exception. Its probably the first mainstream published book that is critical of Omar Bradley. For some reason, Bradley is always treated with kid gloves by military Historians. "Brad" is either praised to the skies or whitewashed. His large number of blunders is passed over in silence or blamed on someone else. Further, his motives and views on Patton, Montgomery, and others as stated in his two autobiographies are taken at face value. D'Este however, criticizes Bradley when he deserves it.
For that alone I give the book three stars.
For that alone I give the book three stars.
December 4, 2014
Seriously in-depth biography of Eisenhower up to the surrender of the Germnay in May 1945.
Why I started this book: It was on Army's recommended reading list and I loved Rick Atkinson's An Army at Dawn trilogy.
Why I finished it: Stubbornness. It was odd how detailed the book was until the very abrupt ending. Especially since D'Este mentioned his future presidency more than once. Not that I would have survived a longer book. This was definitely a marathon.
Why I started this book: It was on Army's recommended reading list and I loved Rick Atkinson's An Army at Dawn trilogy.
Why I finished it: Stubbornness. It was odd how detailed the book was until the very abrupt ending. Especially since D'Este mentioned his future presidency more than once. Not that I would have survived a longer book. This was definitely a marathon.
July 12, 2013
Thorough and interesting book about Eisenhower's early years through WWII surrender of Germany. The early years are detailed, intimate and tells the story of the man we know as Ike. The pre-war years, courtship with Mamie provide context to decisions he makes later. The WWII portion is long but feels under-detailed as there was so many things to comment about--of course the book would be longer than War and Peace if it was more specific. The author appears enthralled with Ike--this make the stories appear more personal. Criticism is outlined, but there is a respect and love for Eisenhower. Readable, enjoyable.
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July 20, 2014What a great read! Without a doubt, one of the most interesting and informative books I've ever read on World War II history. Was particularly impressed by what D'Este wrote about Ike's relationships with Bradley and Patton, what actually transpired in the battle of the Falaise Pocket, Bradley's performance leading up to and during the battle of the Buldge, Ike's military decision to halt the Allied armies at the Elbe, the war-long British military pressure upon General Ike as Supreme Allied Commander, and many others. Looking forward to the next book by Carlo D'Este.
August 19, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. I would have given it a five if it were not for stopping at the end of World War II. I didn't realize that the book didn't cover his later life. It was very detailed about the war which was a little slow, although interesting. Although people are very hard on Eisenhower and his decisions now, it is easy to be critical of a person in hindsight. He had a great many lives in his hands and who knows how incapacitating that would be if you were truly in his place. I still admire him and all he went through in his life.
February 19, 2016
Amazing biography, exhausting research. Way more than most of us need to know about Ike but overall terrific insight into this man charged with saving Europe from Hitler. The analysis of his relationship with his peers turned subordinates, Patton, Bradley, Montgomery, Smith, transforms the leadership myth into concise examples of Ike's persuasive abilities and enormous personal commitment he made to leading the leadership team to victory.
At the end it describes his exhaustion, how he survived and then had the energy to become president is a story worth the read.
At the end it describes his exhaustion, how he survived and then had the energy to become president is a story worth the read.
August 3, 2010
I must say that I'd hoped I'd get more from this book, but I think the story's incomplete. D'Este's biography of Eisenhower stops at the end of the war in Europe in 1945, but progresses no further, investigating the decisions that he made and the world he helped create when he was elected President in 1952. After Patton, D'Este raised my expectations for this book, and I feel a little disappointed.
January 31, 2012
This is a very good book about Eisenhower from his early life through WWII. It is a very good view of early 20th century American military and what it really takes to become a "surpreme commander." It takes more politics and smarts than most military leaders have. If you like history it is a good book to read.
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