The General's Women

by Susan Wittig Albert

A compelling story of love, betrayal, and ambition by New York Times bestselling author Susan Wittig Albert, The General’s Women tells the story of two women--Kay Summersby and Mamie Eisenhower—in love with the same man: General Dwight Eisenhower. Set during the chaotic years of World War II, The General’s Women tells the story of the conflicted relationship between General Dwight Eisenhower and Kay Summersby, his Irish driver/aide, and the impact of that relationship on Mamie Eisenhower and her life in Washington during the war. Told from three alternating points of view (Kay’s, Ike’s, and Mamie’s), the novel charts the deepening of the relationship as Ike and Kay move from England (1942) to North Africa (1942-43) to England, France, and Germany before and after the Normandy landing (1944-45). At the end of the war, Ike is faced with the heart-wrenching choice between marrying Kay and a political future. The story continues into the post-war years, as Ike (returning to Mamie) becomes Army Chief of Staff, president of Columbia University, Supreme Commander of NATO, and president of the United States. Kay, meanwhile, struggles to create a life and work of her own, writing two memoirs: the first (Eisenhower Was My Boss, 1948) about her war work with Ike; the second (Past Forgetting, 1976) about their love affair. An author’s note deals with the complicated question of the truth of Kay’s story, as it finally appears in the posthumously-published Past Forgetting.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Book Club, War, Audiobook, Historical, World War II

412 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 7, 2017

About the author

Susan is the author/co-author of biographical/historical fiction, mysteries, and nonfiction. Now in her 80s and continuing to write, she says that retirement is not (yet) an option. She publishes under her own imprint. Here are her latest books.

A PLAIN VANILLA MURDER, #27 in the long-running China Bayles/Pecan Springs series.

Two Pecan Springs novella trilogies: The Crystal Cave Trilogy (featuring Ruby Wilcox): noBODY, SomeBODY Else, and Out of BODY; and The Enterprise Trilogy (featuring Jessica Nelson): DEADLINES, FAULTLINES, and FIRELINES.

THE DARLING DAHLIAS AND THE POINSETTIA PUZZLE #8 in the Darling Dahlias series, set in the early 1930s in fictional Darling AL

THE GENERAL'S WOMEN. Kay, Mamie, and Ike--the wartime romance that won a war but could have derailed a presidency.

LOVING ELEANOR: A novel about the intimate 30-year friendship of Eleanor Roosevelt and Lorena Hickok, based on their letters

A WILDER ROSE: the true story of Rose Wilder Lane, who transformed her mother from a farm wife and occasional writer to a literary icon

THE TALE OF CASTLE COTTAGE, #8 in the Cottage Tales of Beatrix Potter

DEATH ON THE LIZARD, the 12th and last (2006) of the Robin Paige series, by Susan and Bill Albert

TOGETHER, ALONE: A MEMOIR OF MARRIAGE AND PLACE

AN EXTRAORDINARY YEAR OF ORDINARY DAYS

WORK OF HER OWN: A WOMAN'S GUIDE TO RIGHT LIVELIHOOD

WRITING FROM LIFE: TELLING YOUR SOUL'S STORY

Reviews

[Magdalena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wanted to read this book ever since I read that Susan Wittig Albert was writing a book about Dwight Eisenhower and Kay Summersby. I have previously read Loving Eleanor and A Wilder Rose by the author and I love how she can write about real life people and making them come alive and I'm happy to say that she has once again managed to do that with The General's Women.

It's not only the people that she manages to portray in an authentic way, Wittig Albert has a knack for writing about the time and milieu that makes it feel like you are both learning more about the period at the same time you are enjoying the story. In The General's Women is the focus heavy on WW2 and I loved reading this book because not only did I get a vivid description of the people of the time, but I also got to follow the war from a close perspective as Kay Summersby followed Ike to North Africa.

This book is not heavy on the romance. Sure there are special moments between Ike and Key in the book, but it's not a saccharine kind of romance. I mean Key was not at all pleased when she first had to drive Ike, he was only a two-star general and Ike in return was displeased with her being late to pick him up with the car (all because she had to eat). But, then as the story progressed one could see how they started to warm up to each other. I like that Wittig Albert also included Mamie's POV, and I found it interesting to learn more about her, her devotion to Ike and her jealousy towards women in his life.

The General's Women is an engrossing book to read and I loved reading about Dwight Eisenhower and Kay Summersby. I think the best romance stories are the ones that are real and I do have a weakness for doomed romances.

I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite genre is historical fiction, I love that I can learn history without all the dry facts that tend to bog down history books. This book written by Susan Wittig Albert was an exceptional read. I hate to admit that I have not read any books by this author, but I now have her on my radar.

This story about Eisenhower and Kay Summersby is told in three voices, Ike, Kay and Mamie. These three different perspectives adds diversity and context to the story. Susan's account of the war zone, staff, political agendas and daily life on the front lines felt up close and personal. Kay starts out as Eisenhower's driver, then becomes his Aide, a WAC and her career continues on throughout the story.

Reading details about Dwight Eisenhower and Winston Churchill added a wider depth to the story. There was so much to learn and so many countries affected in WW II, I felt like I was seeing France, England, Germany and Algiers as they were at the time.

I found I detested Mamie, so spoiled and selfish; while my affection for Kay just grew stronger. Through many hardships (including a sinking ship and loss of her finance', Kay was an incredibly strong person that endured the war with an amazingly grace, positive attitude and zest for life. I was rooting for Eisenhower and Kay to continue their relationship back in the states. They were two people who generally cared for each other and their shared intimacy was a blessing for both.

The author's notes and additional details at the end of the book made it all that more authentic for a fictional read. I don't want to say much else as to give away some of the story, but add this to your reading list. There was a never a slow moment during the entire book.

[Jennie Rosenblum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Told from three points of view this is a well researched book of the relationships between Eisenhower and his wife and Eisenhower and his driver/lover. It is right on the edge of non-fiction with all the facts, people and historical events that are so elegantly told in this book. I have to admit that I am a bit of a history buff and this book totally fit that need without some of the dryness you read in a lot of non-fiction or the unbelievability to see in some historical fiction. I was slightly disappointed with the ending chapters because of their brevity - the rest the book is so rich that I felt the ending was a little lacking the same "feel". As a whole this is a wonderful book!

[Erin Al-Mehairi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan Wittig Albert’s books are always a pleasure to read and I had really enjoyed A Wilder Rose a few years back, which was about the writing of the Little House books. The General’s Women sounded interesting to me, since it featured the two loves of General Eisenhower and I love war time stories, which is the setting, so I dove in once I received my complimentary review copy in the mail.

Susan, of course, conducts such an enormous amount of research for her books and with this one it was obvious she endeavored no less utilizing real letters, diaries, news clippings from the characters. As readers, we learn a lot about Eisenhower, his part in World War II, and even some of the jobs of women in WWII, such as that of his love interest, fashion model Kay Summersby. She was assigned to drive General Eisenhower, but as even most scholars in the nation know, became one of his dearest confidantes about the war and not only his mistress. His wife, Maime, is back on the home front dealing with her own issues as well as his own, not to mention the gossip of Kay.

Susan pieces together the story, starting with when Kay was assigned to drive Eisenhower, and shows us the dynamic of these three. It’s not a tawdy love triangle she writes, however, but one fraught with dignity, respect for each character from history, and compassion. Sympathy for each of them grace the pages of her well-told story while giving Kay also her due from an historical perspective for all she helped Ike accomplish during the war.

Each other sub-character in this dramatic novel is intricately created and woven in as well as description and detail of time and place that immerses us as readers so we can have a full experience. Susan is known for memoirs and non-fiction as well, which lends itself to this book as the main characters are real people, but she also writes in a way that leads us through the pages enthralled in the story, far from something we might read only for information. It’s pleasurable to turn the pages, but yet we gain knowledge as we do not only about his relationship with the women in his life, but about his pursuits in WWII.

Historical fiction lovers, especially those interested in tales from WWII, should pick up this book for its dramatic intensity and realness. You’ll feel like you stepped off a plane into the time period and have a bird’s eye view. Thanks to Susan for giving us another gripping read. Highly recommended!

[Linda Zagon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would like to thank NetGalley and the Independent Book Publishers Association(BPA) for the ARC of "The General's Women" by Susan Wittig Albert, for my honest review. "The genre of "The General's Women" is historical fiction.
The author writes about General Dwight Eisenhower during the timeline of World War Two when American entered the war, with England, and Europe. I find that the author describes General Dwight Eisenhower as dedicated, hardworking, an organizer, and a planner. The General is very stressed and to alleviate it, likes to play golf, bridge. ride horses and loves dogs.
The author in setting the story introduces us to Kay Summersby, an Irish volunteer driver in London, who is assigned to drive Eisenhower around. Kay Summersby at the time is getting divorced and planning to marry an American, who is also getting a divorce. Kay has driven ambulances during the bombings in London, and is adept in driving in darkened damaged streets. Dwight becomes dependent on Kay's ability as a driver, and enjoys her company.
The author also describes Mamie Eisenhower,who is in Washington as a jealous, overbearing, insecure and manipulating wife. Mamie is portrayed as constantly tired and at times is physically weak. Mamie is proud of her husband, but really isn't involved with the wartime secrets. Mamie is extremely jealous.
Eisenhower and Kay become friends, and companions. Dwight is always busy, but when he has free time, he rides horses, or plays bridge with Kay. Kay becomes more than a driver and assists in the offices,responding to certain letters, and setting up activities for the men.
When Mamie sees a picture in Life Magazine of Dwight with his team, Kay included, she is furious. Mamie's social circle of friends constantly add to Mamie's frustration.
Susan Wittig Albert describes Eisenhower and Kay's friendship to more like an "affair" during this time. She bases this on" "Kay's Memoirs","Ikes" letters", and fellow officers wartime diaries",as well as news clippings."
We do know that after the war Eisenhower becomes president and is with Mamie. I did enjoy this novel of" The General's Women" and would recommend this to anyone who likes historical fiction.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

The General's Women is a very readable introduction to the lives and careers of Kay Summersby and Mamie Eisenhower, and through them to the wartime experiences of many women. Susan Wittig Albert did her research; her descriptions of London and Tangiers are believable and rich with detail.

If this book had been sold as a biography I probably would have rated it higher. Unfortunately, it was not factual enough to be labeled biography and not quite entertaining enough to make a good novel. The voice of much of the novel is quite flat and distant from the characters. There are extended passages of exposition on military matters, people and places, which, while interesting, don't make for a great story. A lot of the dialogue, too, is spent on recounting history rather than developing character or conflict.

At its heart, this is Kay's story. While I respect the author's decision to include the other side--that it, what Mamie Eisenhower was doing while her husband was fighting a war and possibly having an affair--I don't think she had room to fully develop all the perspectives the book encompassed. This probably would have been a more successful novel if it had stayed focused on a single protagonist.

[Donnell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I have this longing to have been a uniformed WAC in the center of things in Europe during WWII, reading this book helped me to live out that fantasy. Then add the fantasy of an intense romance with the guy in charge of EVERYTHING--and we are over the top.

Notable to me is the way the General had his "family" during the War, so similar to the way Washington had his family during the Revolution. Martha, of course, wisely made sure she was often part of that family. Mamie, in contrast, stayed away.

Biggest takeaway from this: Kay Summersby was one of the most important soldiers of the War. Not only did she do an abundance of needed, quality work for the man in charge--including driving his car under fire, and especially when coupled with her ambulance runs during the Blitz--and she deserves being honored just for that. When you add in the fact that she basically kept the General sane so he could do the job he needed to do--she becomes one of the indispensables. Yet she was air brushed out of history.

Meanwhile, back in Washington, Mamie spends the war hiding in her apartment and drinking. Yet she gets the general, the ticker tape parades and the White House afterwards.

This whole scenario puts a light on the economic situation where men were pressured to marry and stay married because they offered women pretty much their only career path if they wished to have children. At the same time, it highlights how having an heterosexual affair, especially if one was an important person who was married, meant needing to be more secretive than Caitlyn Jenner ultimately had to be.

Something else is going on here. Pretty incredible the way, when Kay's tell-all Past Forgetting was in the works, the Eisenhower family wanted the General to be impotent--basically to protect Mamie's image as a not-cuckoled wife. Personally, she does not deserve the General having his image as a robust leader of men, and the world, besmirched in this way so Mamie can look better. The whole thinking too, ignores the fact, that even if it was true, and no actual intercourse took place--all that took pace: the physical trying, the emotional and intellectual closeness--was just as "bad" if one wants to be judgmental.

It's almost as if the family takes a lion and wants to turn him into a gelded kitty cat. He deserved better.

In a way, the General's return from the war to a conventional, 1950's life, was a model for what all the warriors were supposed to do. I can see that, after the incredible dangers and adventures that had been faced, many men would have been happy to slip into 1950's conventionality, at least for a time. But from the General's life we can see that this ignoring of all that had gone on during the war and the need to conform to an almost Victorian code upon return, could be almost like a burying alive.

Its probably the author's intention, but you come away from the book just disgusted with, and resentful of, Mamie. Here's a woman who stopped having sex with her husband years earlier and then expected him to save the world as a celibate. At the same time you see the deep, rich, loving relationship he has with Kay and you feel not only is Mamie wrong but so are all the stuffy institutions that side with her.

[Meg - A Bookish Affair · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The General's Women" is the story of Dwight D. Eisenhower, world class general (and later President of the United States) and his relationship and subsequent affair with his driver at the height of World War II, Kay Summersby. This is a fascinating story that I don't think that I have ever heard before. I feel like most of what I know about Eisenhower is very much limited to his military career and his career as President, as well as his life in Gettysburg after retirement (I grew up about 30 minutes south of Gettysburg). I love historical fiction that can inform, enlighten, and entertain. This book does all three quite well!

I don't know about you but I think of Eisenhower as being a pretty serious guy, especially during World War II where the movement and success of American troops lay heavily on his shoulders. As this book shows, he had a deeply personal side and a bit of a passionate side as well. I love when history is turned on it's head and really appreciated how the author was able to show this side of Eisenhower. I feel like he became more real to me, flaws and all, after reading this book.

Eisenhower loved his wife, Mamie, and appreciated the role that she played as a partner, mother of his children, and military wife but he often got frustrated with her (understandable; Mamie does seem a bit high maintenance to me to say the least). I loved that the author included Mamie's POV in this book. We see the struggles that she and Ike had in their marriages and how they pushed an pulled with regard to power in many ways. Kay is the opposite of Mamie in many ways. She is down to earth. She is committed to her job. She seems calmer and more steady even with all of the chaos that is going on around her.

I found the Author's Note in the book fascinating too. Even though Kay seemed content in quietly carrying on her relationship with Ike, she does eventually write a memoir. The motivation for why she does this is fascinating to me! I'd love to find a copy of her memoirs. Overall, this is a fascinating portrait of the more personal side of one of our great military men.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was SO interesting. I enjoy all of Susan Wittig Albert's books and this was really a good read. I never had heard this story, but I'm glad I saw it at the library. I brought it home, my hubby saw and picked it up and read it in 3 days....he will tell you eh doesn't like to read.....right.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Changed my rating from four stars to three when I remembered the many days when I did not pick up this book about Eisenhower's marriage to Mamie and relationship with Kay Summersby, his driver during World War II. Despite her extensive research, Susan Wittig Albert has written a novel rather than a work of nonfiction. I found myself frustrated by not knowing which parts were fiction and which were fact.

Yes, many of the details about locations and dates are fact, and the conversations are probably fiction, but when does the author cross from fact to fiction? For example, was Mamie Eisenhower really as insecure and pampered as she seems in this novel?

I found myself skimming toward the end, until I reached the section about what happened to Kay Summersby after the war.

[Lori Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading Susan Wittig Albert books for many years with great enjoyment. I love her mystery series, but these historical biographical novels are quickly becoming favorites as well. She clearly puts a lot of research into her books, and writes with a style that is easy to read and understand. She takes a situation that might not be something we would be interested in reading about and turns it into something great. The General's Women is about Eisenhower, and I was glad she didn't go straight to the "sensational" but rather let the story kind of build itself to its inevitable conclusion. I can't wait to see what (or who) she tackles next.

[Kathie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe it just wasn't the right time for me to read this book. I just didn't care for all the details and found myself skimming the pages to get to the end.

[Mystica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a book which combined the best of many genres. History in great descriptive detail and then the person behind the great character - his life, loves and the women he fell in love with.

General Ike Eisenhower was a character. Leading from the front, he was successful combining the Allied forces with American troops to halt the German Nazi tide in Europe. Success came to him slowly. Very slowly. For sixteen years he languished almost forgotten and then the rise and the promotions came very swiftly. It took him to London first and then to Europe and Africa. His wife of very long standing was very set in her ways - she thought she would not be able to travel, she thought she had a weak heart, could not take any stress, decided not to bring the army and his professional life home at all. Mamie Eisenhower sounded a very selfish and a self centred woman. The General getting attracted to Kay Summersby in London seemed fated from the beginning. Kay was young, attractive and determined to do her job well. She did it too showing extreme bravery during the Blitz and carrying out all duties entrusted to her, including driving the General around London in blackout conditions.

Their relationship was doomed however as he would never be able to get out of his marriage for both political and personal reasons. Kay knew this. She had been warned about it but she lived for the moment and loved him very deeply.

The poignancy of their relationship is very well told in this book. You feel sad, happy, overjoyed but the sense of an ending comes is always there. Kay came out of this badly, Ike also but not as badly. He had options open to him which he took becoming President of the United States.

For lovers of history, this is a must read. My knowledge of the American involvement in the War was sketchy. This filled out all the blanks. From a very deep love story angle, this was a classic.

[Andie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Susan Wittig Albert seems to have moved from her herbal mysteries to historical fiction and appears to be doing a good job in this new genre. I downloaded this audio book after reading Ike & Kay because it appeared that this book was going to give the reader a fuller picture not only of Eisenhower’s relationship with Kay Somersby, but also with his wife, Mamie.

Although it’s never been definitively proven whether or not Ike consummated his relationship with Kay, the author clearly believes that he did, and so do I. It’s inconceivable that a man of Eisenhower’s rank and global stature would be impotent (and yes, yes, I know this is possible. I just don’t believe it.). He’s portrayed as a warm and caring man who eventually made his choice of career/ambition over what were the true feelings in his heart.

Kay is not naïve but falls into the all too familiar trap of choosing to believe what is being promised however unrealistic those promises seem to people less smitten with love.

Mamie is a very silly woman. She’s the spoiled daughter of wealthy parents who never grew up and chooses to languish as a semi-invalid because she is “delicate.” She’s like a 19th century character who is always unwell, but in the end, ends up outliving all the other main players.

This book makes me want to venture into the non-fiction shelves at the library and read about what made these people really tick.

[Vontel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping book, kept me reading every time I picked it up. Brings parts of the last 3 years of WW2 European & north African campaigns to the foreground, as well as General Eisenhower's rise to command. Since it all happened before I was born, I haven't read(or recently read) that kind of detail about it.

The relationship with Kay Sommersby was new to me, & while this is historical fiction, reading Wittig Albert's historical notes (the last 30 or so pages of the book) provide some good foundation for what she wrote. Well worth a read, & now I'm interested in reading her book on Eleanor Roosevelt.

Actually have downloaded the e-book version, but it doesn't show the cover, so indicate the paperback version to capture it.

[Joy Rosynek · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fictionalized account of the relationship between Dwight Eisenhower, his wife, Mamie and his driver, Kay Summersby. Thoroughly researched and very believable, the intimate and intense love affair that occurred during the second World War and the choices that Eisenhower and others made for him that lead to the White House. Of interest is the cover up of the story that Kay tries to tell before her death and what is intimated in other people's memoirs, such as Truman's and Bradley's. At the same time, it shows how much Mamie relied on her own image and lived her life through her husband's career.

[Janet Hartman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slow moving from a plot standpoint. The author notes at the back were the best part, clarifying which parts were fact and which parts were not.
This was an interesting counterpoint to a book published by the Eisenhower foundation years ago which insisted the relationship was never consummated and therefor there was nothing wrong about it.

[Ruth Dunbar · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second historical fiction, that I’ve read regarding Kay Summersby, Ike and Mamie Eisenhower. Like other readers, I found Kay Summersby to be more likeable than the frivolous socialite Mamie Eisenhower. I learned more about WWII in the reading as well. Kay Summersby is a woman worth reading about. She has grit, loyalty, and a sense of adventure.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

More like 3.5 stars for me. While I enjoyed the story it did get tedious.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really loved this book! Enjoyed reading every minute!❤️️❤️️❤️️❤️️

[Anita Lynch-Cooper · Rating 1 out of 5]

Guess I wasn't in the mood for a gossipy speculation about Eisenhower, Kay Summersby, and Mamie Eisenhower.

[Debby · Rating 3 out of 5]

WWII story about Eisenhower and his Irish assistant, Kay Summersby. Lots of insight into the daily life of the Supreme Commander, and his "Official Staff Family". Talks about the the British Blitz, the plywood villages set up to distract the Germans, buzz bombs, the stark difference of WWII in America where not much was impacted to the stark deprivation of people living in the war zone. Also mentions that for some "lusting" after a woman is equal to intercourse with a woman.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book goes on.....................and on..............and on........................

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy to read, exceptionally enjoyable book that engages one from beginning to end.
Susan Wittig Albert does such an excellent job with historical fiction. She imparts a feeling
for the period and provides a great number of very accurate historical facts. This is the story of Dwight Eisenhower, Kay Summersby, and Mamie Eisenhower with others of Eisenhower's women alluded to in the book. While reading the book, I had great sympathy for Kay though the relationship was obviously doomed from the start. Mamie is depicted as a selfish, jealous shrew which made it impossible to feel any real sympathy for her. Kay's life after the war is described in an epilogue that answered some, but not all, of the questions I had about her.

I loved the book while I was reading it. Upon reflection, I can make these observations.
All of the major and many of the minor characters were deeply flawed and become in retrospect
not terribly likable. Eisenhower was a user of women and an adulterer whether he could admit it to himself or not. Kay was a woman blinded by love. Mamie was a jealous woman though I really wonder if she was truly as bad as the book portrays her. The war and the times explain a lot
about the relationship.

The horrors of war are mentioned but not told in such a way as to register with the reader on an emotional level which was okay because the war really was just background to the relationship.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC of this book.

[Lucy Meeker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found the subject matter of this book to be very fascinating. An engaging story with great characters that are captivating and a must-read for any history lover.

[Debbie Sessum · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Susan Wittig Albert, and have enjoyed all of her historic fiction books on Laura Ingalls Wilder, Eleanor Roosevelt and now The General's Women. This is a well written, compelling read about the relationship between Dwight Eisenhower, Kay Summersby and Mamie Eisenhower during WWII. You are cheering for Ike and Kay during the war, when he is facing challenge after challenge in defeating Hitler. Kay is his touchstone, who keeps Ike on an even keel, and able to continue leading under near impossible conditions. This is offset by Mamie Eisenhower in Washington a fragile Southern Belle, who seems totally unsuited for Ike, and her response to the titter tattle that comes back from the front. But its the 40s and society's take on affairs and divorce is quite different from today. Albert does a great job of creating the tension between the love triangle, though they be thousands of miles apart. Wittig also handles the war well...giving us enough info to let us know what's going on and how it is affecting our characters, but not enough to bog down the narrative. The book just flew by, and I was sorry it ended. Wittig's best outing yet in the historic fiction category.

[erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was yet another stellar book from the author. I am loving this series of historical fiction. Interesting, well written, and clearly carefully researched. Now I wish I had the chance to meet Ike and Kay. I think I would have liked them. Thumbs up!

[Janilyn Kocher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading The General's Women is like using a knife through soft butter, it's effortless and it spreads smoothly. The story is about General Eisenhower and Kay Summersby and their relationship during World War II. Albert's depiction is realistic and poignant. It was a relationship that lived on borrowed time, intense as it happened, but doomed to endure. The author has a very thorough epilogue followed with a synopsis of her research. Albert sheds light on the rocky path of revisions Summersby's tale took, with some aspects still shadowy. Sometimes the history of a history is a story in and of itself. All in all, this is a not to be missed read. I received an ARC, courtesy of NetGalley.

[Annette · Rating 3 out of 5]

Source: Free paperback copy from Susan Wittig Albert.
Rating: Good.
My Thoughts:
The Generals’ Women is a work of fiction. When I began reading the book, I had to remind myself this is a fiction piece. As big of a historical figure as Dwight D. Eisenhower, it is easy to become wrapped up in the story believing this is a biography.
In the past, I’ve read several nonfiction books on Eisenhower as the central figure or as apart of the World War II story. The General’s Women is not a strong military story. References are made to the battles and the advancement of the war. Meetings Eisenhower attended with ambassadors, heads of state, generals and other military are mentioned.
The story’s emphasis is on the relationship Eisenhower had with his driver, Kay Summersby. Mamie Eisenhower, back at home in America is apart of the story but not a strong part. She seemed more like a secondary character. The spotlight is on Eisenhower and Kay.
I was glad, Susan Wittig Albert, documented her research on the people discussed in the book in the “Author’s Note.” Mamie Eisenhower’s granddaughter wrote a biography on  Mamie, as well as a few other sources were studied. Kay Summersby wrote a memoir and this is utilized.
Even thought Albert explains what is fictionalized in the story. I want to mention my feelings on how I feel about historical figures who are written about in a book. It is a guess as to what are people’s motives, feelings, and thoughts. Husbands and wives who have been together many years, parents who are close to their children, and best friends don’t know everything about each other. Only the individual and God know the true self behind the flesh. Maybe Eisenhower deeply loved Kay Summersby or cared for her or it was a wartime romance. During a time of war, sexual relationships between people happen. Afterwards, on reflection, that is when a person can adequately make a judgment about what happened.
The General’s Women is an interesting and entertaining story. It personalizes the military figure of Eisenhower. He is shown as the human with emotions behind the military uniform.
I have empathy for both Eisenhower and Kay. Both people spent time together during a war. They depended on one another. They had chemistry. They developed feelings. But the relationship did not last.
I have lived long enough (age 53) that I have heard several stories from people who loved a person but the relationship did not continue. They ended up marrying another person. They spent the rest of their life remembering that great love. It is sad. But this is the reality of life. There really is no happily ever after.

[Katherine Basto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since historical fiction is my chosen genre, I thoroughly endorse and recommend, "The General's Women." Well written, this book interweaves fact and fiction. Susan Wittig Albert does a yeoman's job of including a well-stocked bibliography, actual notes in the back of the book and comments as well in her author's note.
Since I've been reading, "Eisenhower in War and Peace" by Jean Edward Smith, I noticed how much Albert took from his book. With that said, she made sure to include and mention his book. I really appreciated her thoroughness and honesty with what she took from other books.
"The General's Women" revolves around Eisenhower's presumed affair with his driver Kay Summersby. Albert really brings both Kay and Ike to life, as well as the historical context that was transpiring overseas. I do believe Albert felt there was indeed an affair, but she leaves a lot to the readers' imagination. (She embellishes a bit regarding their love affair, but she admits it)
The sections on Mamie, although somewhat less compelling, thicken up the tapestry as to what was happening with the General's wife in Washington while Ike was over fighting the war; and making sure Kay was with him every step of the way. It had to be heartbreaking for Mamie to hear the rumors, see the pictures of Ike and Kay in the newspaper! One gets the sense Mamie felt powerless as she bided her time until her "Ike" returned home!
Ike knew he had choices to make upon his return home. The infamous letter he sent General Marshall saying he wanted a divorce from Mamie to marry Kay is a fact now, but was destroyed along the way. General Marshall made it clear this was not going to happen if Ike was going to move forward. And by this point after the war, people were already clamoring for Ike to announce his political motivations for a presidential run.
Ike was no fool. He knew if he was to run for President, he'd have to leave Kay behind. For good! That's the kind of man he was. He was used to giving orders, taking orders and once done, he moved forward.
My heart broke for Kay. Her life would never be the same. She knew what she was getting into, but she fell in love with the General. From all the evidence, he did as well. It was not meant to be. Star crossed lovers indeed...but Ike had the ability to move on. Kay on the other hand, entered another marriage that didn't last and she died of liver cancer. I'm glad she was ultimately able to write her own side of the story right before she died.
This is a well-written heartbreak of a true story! I'm looking forward to reading Albert's other historical biographies.