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The Real Ike: Eisenhower Fact and Fiction
Former deputy director of the Eisenhower Library and Museum dispels rumors, finds the truth behind the myths, and answers the most-asked questions about the thirty-fourth president, offering a picture of Ike as he’s never been seen before.
Was President Eisenhower really a good cook? What are on those secret Oval Office recordings? Did he really spend his free time painting? Are the rumors of his love affair true? And where did he get the nickname Ike anyway?
For Martin Mack Teasley, the former deputy director of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Library and Museum, these questions and thousands of others came across his desk from scholars, journalists, and the American public. In The Real Ike, Teasley answers the most common questions about the major, minor, and obscure parts of President Eisenhower’s life.
Like a museum curator, Teasley has compiled twenty-five exhibits that give a more well-rounded, humane picture of President Eisenhower than most historians can provide. Drawn from his years of experience in the archives, Teasley illuminates aspects of the thirty-fourth president rarely discussed in textbooks, including Eisenhower’s athletic ambitions, his interest in cooking, the question of Roswell and extraterrestrials, Ike’s love of painting, his habit for swearing, the rumors of his Black ancestry, and the alleged affair with Kay Summersby.
Seasoned scholars and people learning about Ike for the first time alike will find something new to appreciate in this winsome and nuanced book. From the mundane to the scandalous, The Real Ike gives readers a more complete understanding of a pivotal figure in American history.
Was President Eisenhower really a good cook? What are on those secret Oval Office recordings? Did he really spend his free time painting? Are the rumors of his love affair true? And where did he get the nickname Ike anyway?
For Martin Mack Teasley, the former deputy director of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Library and Museum, these questions and thousands of others came across his desk from scholars, journalists, and the American public. In The Real Ike, Teasley answers the most common questions about the major, minor, and obscure parts of President Eisenhower’s life.
Like a museum curator, Teasley has compiled twenty-five exhibits that give a more well-rounded, humane picture of President Eisenhower than most historians can provide. Drawn from his years of experience in the archives, Teasley illuminates aspects of the thirty-fourth president rarely discussed in textbooks, including Eisenhower’s athletic ambitions, his interest in cooking, the question of Roswell and extraterrestrials, Ike’s love of painting, his habit for swearing, the rumors of his Black ancestry, and the alleged affair with Kay Summersby.
Seasoned scholars and people learning about Ike for the first time alike will find something new to appreciate in this winsome and nuanced book. From the mundane to the scandalous, The Real Ike gives readers a more complete understanding of a pivotal figure in American history.
401 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 2, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 18, 2025
Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 2025.
A series of stand alone chapters in areas of Eisenhower's life that don't get explored too often or not in great detail. While not a conventional biography, it was a nice change of pace.
A few of the topics covered include:
1. Ike and snappy dressing
2. Ike and Extra Terrestrials
3. Ike's taping system in the Oval Office
4. Ike's deportation efforts
5. Kate Summersby
The author was the director of the Eisenhower Library for many years and that alone added a lot to his book.
A series of stand alone chapters in areas of Eisenhower's life that don't get explored too often or not in great detail. While not a conventional biography, it was a nice change of pace.
A few of the topics covered include:
1. Ike and snappy dressing
2. Ike and Extra Terrestrials
3. Ike's taping system in the Oval Office
4. Ike's deportation efforts
5. Kate Summersby
The author was the director of the Eisenhower Library for many years and that alone added a lot to his book.
October 18, 2025
As a person who devours presidential biographies, I very much enjoyed this book! It provides unique insight on Eisenhower’s life and directly takes on some of the historical misconceptions (a fight with Rockne, relationship with Kay Summersby), highlights some unknown areas (appreciation for science, religious focus) and includes some of his predictions for the future year 2000, many of which proved to be quite accurate. As Eisenhower’s presidency is more commonly overlooked by historians, it is wonderful to have direct focus on the hidden talents of a somewhat muted era in American politics. I very much enjoyed the book and highly recommend it to all those who enjoy political biographies!
September 21, 2025
A great American President whose most important job was not POTUS but Supreme Allied Commander in World War II. The author explores so many areas of Ike. Informative and entertaining the predictions for year 2000 impressive. Ike was is underestimated. Great man. We need an Eisenhower for the 21st century.
November 10, 2025
Read to page 25 and then skimmed. Assumes you already know most of Eisenhower’s story; ex. Refers to “Ida” without explaining that Ida was DDE’s mother. A few typos or copy-editing errors.
Fine for fans of Eisenhower!
Fine for fans of Eisenhower!
December 1, 2025
Admittedly I'm biased as the childhood neighbor of the author :), but I really enjoyed glimpses into different aspects of Ike's character and person, as well as interesting tidbits about various WW2 and historical events.
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November 17, 2025O
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews