Ike's Mystery Man: The Secret Lives of Robert Cutler

by Peter Shinkle

The Cold War, The Lavender Scare and the Untold Story of Eisenhower's First National Security Advisor.

"An extraordinary story. . . a gripping, moving tale." -- Evan Thomas, author of Ike's Bluff: President Eisenhower's Secret Battle to Save the World

"A historical treasure unearthed . . . A must-read for all Cold War scholars, it is a great read for everyone else." -- Martin J. Sherwin, Pulitzer-Prize-winning co-author of American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer

"This is a book that deserves, and is sure to get, a wide audience." -- Michael Isikoff, co-author of Russian Roulette: The Inside Story of Putin's War on America and the Election of Donald Trump

President Eisenhower's National Security Advisor Robert "Bobby" Cutler shaped US Cold War strategy in far more consequential ways than previously understood. A lifelong Republican, Cutler also served three Denocratic presidents. The life of any party, he was a tight-lipped loyalist who worked behind the scenes to get things done. While Cutler's contributions to the public sphere may not have received, until now, the consideration they deserve, the story of his private life has never before been told.

Cutler struggled throughout his years in the White House to discover and embrace his own sexual identity and orientation, and he was in love with a man half his age, NSC staffer Skip Koons. Cutler poured his emotions into a six-volume diary and dozens of letters that have been hidden from history. Steve Benedict, who was White House security officer, Cutlers' friend and Koons' friend and former lover, preserved Cutler's papers. All three men served Eisenhower at a time when anyone suspected of "sexual perversion", i.e. homosexuality, was banned from federal employment and vulnerable to security sweeps by the FBI.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, American History, Politics, Gay, Historical

416 pages, Hardcover

First published December 4, 2018

Reviews

[Aaron Million · Rating 5 out of 5]

Despite reading many books about Dwight Eisenhower, the name of Robert Cutler rarely was rarely mentioned. Given that he was a close advisor to Eisenhower in his 1952 presidential campaign, was nominated by him to be the first executive director of the Inter-American Development Bank, and most importantly served two stints as his National Security Advisor, one would think that he would appear prominently in books about Eisenhower's presidency. That he does not is a testament to just how seriously he took his job as being one who supported the president behind the scenes and did not seek the limelight.

Cutler is the great-uncle of the author, Peter Shinkle. That might make you think that Shinkle would be favorable in his treatment of Cutler, and ignore Cutler's less-admirable qualities. Not at all. Shinkle, who never met Cutler, treats him with respect and care, but does not shy away from writing about qualities that do not make Cutler look good. One of the reasons that Shinkle wanted to shine a light on Cutler's story is because Cutler was gay - something that easily could have cost him his career and reputation in McCarthy-era Washington D.C.

Shinkle shows how Cutler navigated the potential landmine of being exposed as a homosexual. Despite many gay men and women (though predominantly men back then) having their careers and/or lives destroyed simply for being gay, Cutler somehow survived. I think Cutler straddled the line between not being out yet not hiding his sexuality either. He left clues like a trail of breadcrumbs to indicate that he liked men, particularly younger men. He was a confirmed bachelor who was frequently seen in the company of much younger men at dinners and shows, and bringing them with him for weekend getaways.

Did Eisenhower know that Cutler was gay? I do not see how he possibly could not have. He was not a stupid man, and he spent a lot of time with Cutler. It was clear that he relied on him a great deal where the National Security Council was concerned, especially in regards to nuclear proliferation. He served three different stints in Eisenhower's administration, and was vital to his 1952 presidential run, as well as helping out in 1956. If Ike didn't trust him, he wouldn't have been there.

How did Cutler survive the anti-gay climate in D.C. when so many others did not? Shinkle is unable to say for certain. Yet, I have to think that Cutler's closeness to Eisenhower shielded him. FBI Directort J. Edgar Hoover - himself subject to questions about his sexuality - had memos about Cutler's possibly being gay, yet he never directly threatened Cutler or really came close to doing so. This is a guess on my part, but I sense that Hoover did not think it prudent to attempt to destroy Cutler and damage Eisenhower because Eisenhower could have caused serious damage to him in return.

This book is equal parts policy-related, especially concerning nuclear arms, and personal, concerning Cutler's loneliness and pining over a man 32 years younger than he, Skip Koons. Shinkle liberally quotes from Cutler's diary and his letters to Koons. They show Cutler to be uneven, moody, possessive, and tortured that the younger man would not return his love in the ways that Cutler so desperately wanted him to. I believe that, to an extent, Cutler allowed himself to be used financially. Yet he had a life of service devoted to his country, and he loved to help others, so I sense that he did not view it that way. Shinkle does a great job of showing how Cutler managed to perform at a high level professionally despite his inner turmoil. Shinkle also provides a good balance between the personal and professional aspects of Cutler's life.

Being a trusted friend of Eisenhower had to have been a great thrill. Not to mention having the ability to affect U.S. policies worldwide, not have to worry too much about money, and travel to exotic places. However, being of the same sexuality as Cutler, I must say that I felt bad for him at times as I read parts of these letters, and his intimate diary entries. While having many friends (even the Eisenhowers) he was lonely, and constantly searched for someone to spend his life with, yet never realized that. American society, even in 2020, is not completely gay-friendly. Although, just in my lifetime, tremendous progress has been made, more so than I thought possible just 20 years ago. I cannot really imagine how difficult it must have been for Cutler, born in 1895, to deal with his at times not-so-secret secret throughout his life. Even having a very important position, being friends with famous people, and traveling the world cannot mask loneliness when one goes to bed by himself each night. I guess everything comes with a cost, doesn't it?

Grade: A

[Chris Carson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A terrific read. If you’re interested in IKE’s presidency, the Cold War, or what it was like to live as a gay man in the 50’s closet, this is a terrific story. Well worth the read.

[Lianne Burwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ike's Mystery Man by Peter Shinkle is a very interesting combination of biography and history. On the whole, it is a biography of Robert Cutler, who was the first National Security Advisor.

He was also a gay man working in the government during the McCarthy era, when not only communists, but 'sexual perverts' were being hunted as security risks. It doesn't appear that he went to great lengths to hide his sexuality, but he was never exposed. In fact, some powerful people seem to have deliberately shielded him.

So, while we learn a lot about the man's life, through school and war and finally government work, as well as his infatuations with younger men, we also get a view of the changing view of government. For example, the book looks at the primary era of the CIA trying to change governments around the world in the US's favour, even though the hindsight of now says that those regime changes rarely worked out well in the long run. We also get a first-hand view of how dangerous it was to be a gay man in government, although I get the feeling that he rarely was a lover of his paramours as much as a mentor. But while he never faced exposure, a number of the younger men in his circle of influence ended having to resign instead of being exposed.

The author is a relative of Robert Cutler, and had access to, among other things, a series of diaries that he gave to the young man who was the great love of his life, although the man in question had several regular lovers. Later in life, Cutler seemed to vacillate between great joy whenever they were together to intense depression when he didn't get the reassurances he wanted that he was the focus of the life a man less than half his age.

All in all, it was a fabulous read about a part of recent history I knew little about. After all, few people think twice about gays in government anymore, but even in Canada, there was a long period of time when public servants could find themselves under investigation because someone made an accusation. In Canada, they were hooked up to a device called, I kid you not, the Fruit Machine in an attempt to determine homosexuality. Thankfully, the world, for the most part, has moved past that stage.

[Paul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my gosh, parts of this book - Cutler's letters and journals - are so sweet and so sad. Interesting mix of public politics and personal thoughts.

[willowdog · Rating 4 out of 5]

The life of Robert Cutler, a confidant of President Eisenhower, who compartmentalized his gay life for 40 years, is wonderfully told. If one is looking for a gay life during the 1930's through 1960's, one will be disappointed. After an experience in his youth, he seems to have buried these feelings, only to have them awaken in his later life. However, in this very complete biography, one gets the life of a man who is intimately involved in some of the most fascinating issues of these days. The revelations of the work of the Ike administration, the background issues involved, the individuals in the administration and Cutler's many friends surprised me. Here was a gay man, who many felt was gay, yet was able to walk the tightrope in this very repressive era.
Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for providing this Kindle edition.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ike’s Mystery Man follows the life of Robert Cutler who founded the National Security Council and helped to shepherd in much of the modern national security structure under Eisenhower. His legislation would help define the International Atomic Energy Agency and attempted to move away from the Mutually Assured Destruction although that viewpoint would win out in the end. He was by and large considered an honest broker of ideas to the president and was one of Eisenhower’s friends throughout his wife. He was notorious for not talking to the press and leading a down home existence that concealed his secret life. Robert Cutler was gay at a time when the government was ferreting out “sexual deviants” under McCarthy and J. Edgar Hoover. The book switches back and forth between Cutler’s personal life and the national security policy of the time. The only complaint I have is that I am still not sure what the main drive of the book was. The author is the great nephew of Cutler and other then telling about his uncle and talking about national security the two never quite seemed to jive together and it felt like reading two separate books. Granted it was reading two very good and well put together books but did not connect at the end of the day. Overall though a good read and one worth the time if you have an interest in the 1950’s foreign policy and national security structure or curious about the social history of gay men in the 1950’s.

[Charles Houser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although written by a relative of the book’s subject, Robert Cutler, author Shinkle’s account is well-researched and (respectfully) critical. The book is not entirely about what it was like to be a closeted gay man working in government during the Cold War. Shinkle also goes into depth about what those in power thought about the arms race and planning for possible confrontation with the USSR. Eisenhower comes across as a true leader, sage political strategist, and sincere friend to his aide Cutler. His “cleaning house” during the Laverder Scare comes across as a cold but necessary political maneuver to offset counter-moves from McCarthy and his ilk and seems not to have been motivated by any visceral anti-gay bias on Ike’s part (making Ike seem more pathetic than mean). Shinkle’s account of Cutler’s unrequited love for various younger men is delicately handled. It is drawn mostly from Cutler’s own diaries and letters. It is sad but quite moving. This book gives lots for readers to think about.

[Art · Rating 4 out of 5]

At it's core this book is a story of unrequited love...an older man desperately in love with a younger one.....a forbidden love during the McCarthy era involving one of Ike's closest and most important personal advisers who headed up the NSC as well as many other key national strategic initiatives during the Eisenhower administration. The fact that Bobby Cutler was never exposed is testament to both his value to the administration as well as his discretion. There is excellent historical perspective in this book and one tends to sometimes forget the scope of major international events that took place during Eisenhower's presidency....a highly recommended read for the history alone. The love story grows old fairly quickly as "one-sided affairs" do in reality. Toward the end Bobby Cutler's obsession and inability to "move on" bordered on pathetic.....in many ways this book diminishes the accomplishments of the man by scripting everything in the context of his love obsession with "Skip."

[Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

Peter Shinkle's Ik's Mystery Man is a particularly important book. It should be read by everyone, and I do mean everyone. We learn about Robert Cutler, a person most of us know little to nothing about. He played a pivotal role in running the first practical manifestation of the National Security Council, and he was gay. Our country is fortunate that he was not found out and forced to resign; America would have been denied the exceptional public service of Robert Cutler. In my opinion, based on this book, Robert Cutler ran the NSC and Principles Committee meeting the way the National Security Act of 1947 intended.

The book is extremely well written and very accessible. Peter Shinkle provides the reader with the history and information to make sense of the technical details of Robert Cutler's jobs, and, at the same time, he makes clear Robert Cutler's precarious situation.

[William Miles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully written biography of a man with a tragic story.

[G. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decently written if a little too “ in the weeds” about national security policy for my taste. Lowered my opinion of Eisenhower. Interesting study of love and self-loathing.

[Ron Willoughby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read political biographies to gain insight into an era or obscure, yet significant, events. I don’t read them to find out who slept with whom (straight, gay or bi). General Cutler’s nephew seems so intrigued w his uncle’s love life and what young man he has fallen for that he skips right past significant events.

General Cutler was forming policy and philosophy for national security for 8 significant years during the Cold War. He crossed swords with the Dulles brothers. He wrote papers that challenged thinking on nuclear deterrents, tactical nuclear weapons, Turkey, NATO, etc. Some of these things barely get a mention while the author guesses who his uncle may, or may not have, slept with, or who was or was not gay.

Yes, we do gain significant insight into the persecution of homosexuals during the McCarthy era. That is one of the redeeming qualities. But guessing at who General Cutler lusted after and how he felt on such and such week about ‘Skip’ does a disservice to this man’s life, imho.

2 parts political biography to 1 part publishing of the General’s most private of thoughts made me feel like a voyeur, in the worst possible way.

Forgive me if this makes me prudish. I’m just disappointed. This book had such great potential.

[Joseph J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simply superb. So much is packed within these pages . From the cross dressing entertainments of the ivy league set-prep school and onward- in the early 2oth. century to the obsessive love of an older man for younger men. Here is the extraordinary life of Robert Cutler by his grand -nephew. An advisor to Dwight D. Eisenhower who rose to power within the foreign policy structure of the mid-20th century, "Bobby" practiced his craft under the shadow of McCarthyism, J. Edgar Hoover, and anti gay governmental restrictions which Cutler himself promoted. Here is a fascinating look at men of all ages living a discreet gay lifestyle in plain sight of socially and politically powerful people. There are artists and the politically astute, and the financial world of the Rockefeller's atop a gay world from street pick-ups to a gathering place in Old Alexandria-the Dr. Dick House (named for George Washington's doctor)! Gore Vidal and Samuel Barber and Gian Carlo Menotti also show up. The diaries and letters are beautifully tragic. The history makes us yearn for a time when the GOP and Democrats could cross the aisle and work together in the foreign policy arena. IF YOU LOVED SECRET CITY don't overlook this book.

[Bill Baar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shinkle doesn't comment or speculate on what Soviet Intelligence knew about Cutler. Some research on what Russians knew or a little outreach to historians of the KGB on Cutler, would have made this a better book.

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

See self as imagined to be vs reality.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing master of living in the closet.

[Court Horncastle · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unimportant

[Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

After finishing this book, Robert Cutler is still a 'Mystery Man' to me!

[willowdog · Rating 4 out of 5]

The life of Robert Cutler, a confidant of President Eisenhower, who compartmentalized his gay life for 40 years, is wonderfully told. If one is looking for a gay life during the 1930's through 1960's, one will be disappointed. After an experience in his youth, he seems to have buried these feelings, only to have them awaken in his later life. However, in this very complete biography, one gets the life of a man who is intimately involved in some of the most fascinating issues of these days. The revelations of the work of the Ike administration, the background issues involved, the individuals in the administration and Cutler's many friends surprised me. Here was a gay man, who many felt was gay, yet was able to walk the tightrope in this very repressive era.
Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for providing this Kindle edition.