Mrs. Ike: Memories and Reflections on the Life of Mamie Eisenhower

by Susan Eisenhower

Written by her granddaughter, a portrait of a beloved First Lady and an incisive account of a complex marriage examines the life of Mamie Eisenhower, a saucy young lady who found her match in handsome Ike Eisenhower, and their adventures, misunderstandings, and glowing triumphs.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Presidents, American History, Biography Memoir

392 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1996

About the author

SUSAN EISENHOWER, one of President Dwight D. Eisenhower's four grandchildren, is a consultant, author, and a Washington, DC-based policy strategist with many decades of work on national security issues. She lectures widely on such topics, including strategic leadership.

Reviews

[Koren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a bio of First Lady Mamie Eisenhower, written by her granddaughter Susan Eisenhower. You can tell the granddaughter loved her grandmother immensely, so I would say there is a little bias here. If her grandmother has any flaws they are only touched on lightly, if at all. The book was the most interesting when the author talks about her personal stories about her grandparents, but there is lots of history written about before she was born. An interesting bio of both the president and his wife. Much has been written about his presidency and here mostly the high points are mentioned, which was nice. I was born during the Eisenhower years, so I do not have a personal remembrance of them, so it was nice to learn more about those years.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing portrait of a woman’s undying devotion to her husband, her family, and her country. I’m grateful for her humble service to all three, as an inspiration and legacy for other women to follow. Susan (her granddaughter) paints a beautiful picture of a way of life she perhaps deems “classic” (read: outdated), but I would contend that more marriages would succeed for the good of the world around them if all couples aspired to such loyalty and commitment. She understood what it meant to “love her neighbor as herself.” Rest In Peace, Mrs. Ike

[Tom Rowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a refreshing book. To know that good people once ran the country. It gives me hope for the future. Well worth reading.

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was not excited about reading this book and the read was not exciting. But, I found myself getting through it rather quickly and it was interesting. Eisenhower is the first president that I remember and I certainly remember his wife as well--especially her bangs and her hats. But I knew very little else about them. This book is full of personal correspondence between the 2 of them, as well as revealing their lives and lifestyles. It turns out that Ike was quite the romantic and Mamie was extremely loyal and supportive of him. There are pages of photos from different stages of their lives which were fascinating to me. I came away from this book with the feeling that our country has fallen a long way from the moral, hard working, family loving ways of the Eisenhowers.

[Marylou · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not sure why it took so long to read this book ... not a thriller, but I related to the history it was revealing and enjoyed the descriptions of Mamie. She was never one of my favorites during our lifetimes together because if felt she was "stuck up." So it was nice to read this book and see her from another perspective ... Her granddaughter's or daughter-in-law's. The revelation I had was the way the generals and presidents were treated during that time compared to my impression of how they are treated now ... especially while Ike was in the Army. Interesting book with lots of good history! Wonder how John Eisenhower is doing now!

[Catherine Onyemelukwe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not thrilled with book. Discussed it with Mount Holyoke alum book group last night. Several felt the same - interesting, parts rather tedious. For me, more than I wanted to know about the wife of an army man. Susan Eisenhower's love for her grandmother came through loud and clear.

[Jane Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mrs. Ike.my hero

If I could visit anyone in History , Mrs. Ike would be one of the greatest . She had spirit and will to do anything. As a military's wife She was one of the best, I too traveled that road not as long but it takes a strong person to do it. Spouses of the military face twice as much pressure in everyday life and never get the pats on the back. Most people these days think of her as the 50's "housewife but She could teach any " liber" a thing or two. She talk the talk and what's more She walked.the walk. People.forget.that the 50 started with the 30 and the 40. Read t his one maybe a few times. We could learn a lot from the old school. Enjoy her company even in print She,' something else. Enjoy

[David]

Read because General Eisenhower was Supreme Commander in Europe, I serving under General Paton in the 76th Infantry Division, 85 Regiment, Headquarters Company as radio and telegraph operator.
Further, Ike was President of Columbia University from 1948 through 1952 while in June 1948 I earned my graduate degree in Librarianship.

"The story of how a saucy young lady from Denver, Mamie Doud Eisenhower, meets her match in handsome Ike Eisenhower, a farm boy fresh out of West Point, and becomes the Army wife par excellence. They were two very passionate and private people whose 53-year marriage, much of it lived in the public eye, survived great tragedies, misunderstandings, and adventures - and led to glowing triumphs in World War II and the White House. Mrs. Ike is not only a biography of a beloved American but a superb account of a complex marriage. Susan Eisenhower helps readers see her grandmother as her husband did - a heroic and irresistible figure in her own right."

[Dorothy]

A little slow in the middle, trying to keep track of all the moves to various army bases and the friends they met along the way, this was truly a fascinating book about a woman little known to my generation (late Boomer). I have great admiration for the character qualities she displayed in difficult times and have no doubt that her husband was so successful in his efforts at winning WWII because of her support and character on the home front.

[Ruth Cozad · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great book about Mamie. I grew up in Dickinson County Kansas during Ike's White House years and knew little about Mamie. I have not been to the museum since remodeled and have enjoyed it in earlier years. The book was well written and informative. I am so glad I have been able to learn more about Mamie and her contribution to Ike's life. So many memories were recorded and pictures of their lives.

[Darlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

My friends and I are reading about the first ladies and this was my pick for Mamie Eisenhower. We appreciated the points to ponder in the book and had a wonderful discussion about her, her marriage and role in society. Susan's love and respect for her Grandmother shines in some of the intimate details she shared-we too fell in love with Mamie.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

We know much about President Ike, but only see glimpses of the woman that stood beside him. This was a fantastic biography of a woman with drive, courage, resilience and undying devotion. Susan Eisenhower gives an honest view of the woman her grandmother was and the legacy she left behind. Well worth the read.

[Judith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Susan did a beautiful job of painting a picture of her grandmother! Mamie Eisenhower was a First Lady before the prevalence of 24 hour news cycles so she really was a mystery to most of Americans. People only saw her in planned photo ops. She was in fact a spirited interesting woman.

[Teresa McCoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books this year. President Eisenhower and Mamie were two incredible people that loved each other, their family & friends, and their country. So many quotes in here I kept and will look back on. Such a great read!

[Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!!

[Carol deBlanc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

This book has so much information on the history of the Eisenhower’s life together and the trials and triumphs in their lives. I really enjoyed this book!

[The History Mom]

Lovely biography written by Mamie's granddaughter. I really enjoyed the personal tales from their lives.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this book and the pages of our history and the people that graced it. I remember my mom being very impressed with mamie as our first lady. Their was no one like her Mamie. As though she owned her or a piece of her. I found myself at the time thinking well, maybe but those bangs! It was so lovely to see Mamie from the eyes of her family and those she loved and loved her. She had such inner strength that I soon discovered what it was my mom found so likeable in her. Suddenly the charm of her bangs became endering and I couldn't imagine why I didn't like them all along. She had her own beautiful style that she never strayed from in her life time. I am glad to ahve read this book and hope others find it lovely too.

[Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an very interesting book. Eisenhower was president when I was growing up and I remember campaigning against him for Goldwater. Mamie was a true lady and such an amazing woman thrown into a world of military life where she was at first truly a fish out of water and not able to even boil water. I enjoyed reading about her life and their life together. He was not an easy man to live with.

Toward the end I got tired of the military focus but loved the life stories from Mamie and her family.

[Belinda Willmoth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend this biography for anyone with a loved one in the military or in any government service. Especially a soldier’s or officer’s spouse. And what an endearing love story! Precious couple.
A terrific account of WW1-post WW2 American History as well. I read (parts of) this with my kids.

[SueMac · Rating 2 out of 5]

I gave it two stars because I learned some things about military life during the first half of the 20th century and a few things about the Eisenhowers. But it was tough to force myself to keep reading at times. Pedestrian writing, lack of cohesion, and missed opportunities to develop characters abound.

[Hannah Huber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspired me to write my next (historical) fiction novel based on White House dinner my grandmother went to in 1960 with David and Barbara Eisenhower. Loved reading about Mamie's life, especially seeing it was written by her granddaughter.

[Katy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was fabulous!! I learned so much about Mamie and greatly admire her.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book about an amazing couple. Learned a great deal. Glad to fill myself in on a bit of our history and the people that made it.

[Amanda Metzger]

It was a lovely memoir by a granddaughter. It is hard to imagine that such an amazing life was lived and that it can be summarized in a single book

[Justine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this.

[Elizabeth Wiebe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but sooo long

[Mary Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written. A lot of information beyond Mrs. Eisenhower's life.

[Aria · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @ 100 pages in. Same story at a new post got old. Eisenhower didn't really seem to have his wife's best interest at heart. Got sick of hearing about that guy.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this biography very much - it was an interesting timepiece.