General Ike: A Personal Reminiscence

by John S.D. Eisenhower

John S.D. Eisenhower modestly explains General Ike as "a son's view of a great military leader -- highly intelligent, strong, forceful, kind, yet as human as the rest of us." It is that, and more: a portrait of the greatest Allied military leader of the Second World War, by the man who knew Ike best.

General Ike is a book that John Eisenhower always knew he had to write, a tribute from an affectionate and admiring son to a great father. John chose to write about the "military Ike," as opposed to the "political Ike," because Ike cared far more about his career in uniform than about his time in the White House. A series of portraits of Ike's relations with soldiers and statesmen, from MacArthur to Patton to Montgomery to Churchill to de Gaulle, reveals the many facets of a talented, driven, headstrong, yet diplomatic leader. Taken together, they reveal a man who was brilliant, if flawed; naÏve at times in dealing with the public, yet who never lost his head when others around him were losing theirs. Above all, General Ike was a man who never let up in the relentless pursuit of the destruction of Hitler.

Here for the first time are eyewitness stories of General Patton showing off during military exercises; of Ike on the verge of departing for Europe and assuming command of the Eastern Theater; of Churchill stewing and lobbying Ike in his "off hours." Faced with giant personalities such as these men and MacArthur, not to mention difficult allies such as de Gaulle and Montgomery, Ike nevertheless managed to pull together history's greatest invasion force and to face down a determined enemy from Normandy to the Bulge and beyond. John Eisenhower masterfully uses the backdrop of Ike's key battles to paint a portrait of his father and his relationships with the great men of his time.

General Ike is a ringing and inspiring testament to a great man by an accomplished historian. It is also a personal portrait of a caring, if not always available, father by his admiring son. It is history at its best.

Genres: Biography, History, War, Nonfiction, Military Fiction, Presidents, World War II

304 pages, Paperback

First published April 15, 2003

About the author

John Sheldon Doud Eisenhower was a United States Army officer, diplomat, and military historian. He was the son of President Dwight D. Eisenhower and First Lady Mamie Eisenhower. His military career spanned from before, during, and after his father's presidency, and he left active duty in 1963 and then retired in 1974. From 1969 to 1971, Eisenhower served as United States Ambassador to Belgium during the administration of President Richard Nixon, who was previously his father's vice president and also his daughter-in-law's father.

As a military historian, Eisenhower wrote several books, including The Bitter Woods, a study of the Battle of the Bulge, So Far from God, a history of the Mexican–American War and Yanks: The Epic Story of the American Army in World War I .

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this as an abridged audiobook.

A look at General Eisenhower through his son's eyes. His son John, a graduate of West Point, gives details of the military career of his father he calls "Ike". He places emphasis on the relationships Ike had with the big personalities of the war: McArthur, Patton, De Gaulle, Churchill, Marshall, Montgomery, and others--- and the intricacies, egos, and personalities he had to deal with. You'll hear the progression of Ike's military career, and the many who influenced his rise to Supreme Allied Commander in Europe. It delves less into what his son calls "the second Ike" as a President and statesman. Operation "Overlord" and the D-Day invasion are highlights.

Overall impression is that it is a lightweight and watered down biography that is obviously highly complimentary to Ike and is written to not ruffle too many feathers. If you're looking for a definitive biography of Eisenhower the General or our 34th President then you should look elsewhere. This is however, an intimate look into a son's impressions, memories, and evaluation of his famous father's military life.

[Jason Koivu · Rating 3 out of 5]

General Ike: A Personal Reminiscence is written by an author too personally involved in the subject to give it its unbiased due. This spotty biography, focused mostly on Eisenhower's military service, was written by his son, who was at his side much of the time. This means that the reader gets some good insider insight. It also means the reader is only told what General Ike's son wants the public to know about his beloved father, so that insider insight tends to be pretty rosy. Not a lot of criticism going on here. But it's decently written, has plenty of entertaining tales about the world's movers-and-shakers of the day, and overall provides a good, basic sketch of Eisenhower.

[Ron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not your typical biography, but a series of sketches by Eisenhower's son of his personal relationship with many of the military and civilian men who figured in Ike's military career.

Good audio recording.

A very good read.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

General Ike: A Personal Reminiscence was written by his son, John S.D. Eisenhower. As such it is more of a tribute to Ike and rather than focusing on mostly the military planning and specific battles that occurred (don't worry, there's still plenty of that), as his son, who also served in the military during WWII, he is able to provide a unique perspective. He includes his earliest memories and interactions with other well-known historical figures as friend and co-workers including Douglas MacArthur, George Patton, and many others that he would eventually go to war with. These and other professional relationships were presented with an insider's viewpoint and that is what makes this book about Eisenhower different from others. It also includes his life after WWII including his presidency and final years. I really enjoyed reading this book.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Followed up Jonathan Jordan's Brothers, Rivals, Victors with General Ike, by John D.Eisenhower (his son). This was an incisive, smart and measured portrait of Ike through his relationships with Patton, Marshal, Monty, De Gaulle, and Churchill. Came away with the same impression of Ike as the right man at the right time.

[J.R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. You get a very unique perspective of General Eisenhower's personal relationships and struggles with some of history's most storied characters from his own son. I'd recommend it to any history/military buff.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoughtful and interesting biography of Eisenhower as a tactician and tactful man.

[Keith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good biography from a son’s point of view. Mostly in the war years.

[Kerri · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not sure I'm going to finish this book, so I'll write my review now. I think I would find this book would be a lot more interesting if I had any understanding of how the U.S. military is set up. The book assumes the reader has full knowledge of the organization of the military, ranks, bases, operations at home and abroad, as well as a full history of all of WWII. I have none of those. I think someone who does already know all the history of these would appreciate the focus on Ike's roles in these events.

I thought it would be fun to learn something about all that, but I should've started with a book that was geared towards beginners. I did enjoy the personal stories about Ike and his family. There aren't many, but told from the point of view of a kid that grew up in those circumstances, it's fascinating.

Another thing that made it hard for me to follow this book was the fact that it jumps around so much in time. Part of this problem for me might be due to the fact that I think in written form the book is set up like a series of essays. Unfortunately for me, listening to it on cd, it all sounds like it's supposed to be the same story, but it's so confusing with the timeline that I found it hard to follow.

I don't think I'll finish this book now, but maybe I'll read some other histories of WWII and then come back to read this after I have an understanding of what the heck the author's talking about.

[Erwin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Only finished the first 1/4 of this one. It was just too slow, too dull. I was reading American Caesar: Douglas MacArthur 1880-1964 at the same time, and the contrast was too stark. MacArthur was fascinating to read about, Eisenhower's reminiscence from his son just didn't compare.

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was Eisenhower from the unique perspective of his only surviving son, also a General Eisenhower. No son can objectively report on his father, especially one as famous as Ike. But John does a commendable job.

[C. Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am re-reading in preparation for a case study on leadership we are doing in BUPERS-31. I very much enjoyed this book by Eisenhower's son, it enhanced my understanding of the personalities who not just shaped Ike, but also challenged him in a very difficult period.

[Nate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ike was the right man and the right place at the right time.