Dwight D. Eisenhower: Strength in Unity - 1945 to First Inauguration

by Mary Beth Smith

Eisenhower did not want to become president. After 1945 he wanted to retire to a small cabin somewhere. Instead, as a general, he had to be at the Commander-and-Chief's beck and call. He was asked to be Chief of Staff for two years. In 1948 he was asked to advise the first Secretary of Defense while acting as president of Columbia University. After the Secretary became ill, he was asked to do most of the work for the next Secretary of Defense.In 1949 he became sick from crohn's disease. Mamie's doctor, Howard Snyder, had him cut down on his smoking (he stopped cold), eat healthier meals and take metamucil once a day. He got better but the illness would come back in later years. In January of 1951 he was asked to become Supreme Commander of NATO.He ran for president because the front runner, Senator Robert Taft, was an isolationist. After choosing a few cabinet members he asked three trusted friends to select the rest.As president he would come to rely on his advisers. But at the same time, since he could see "the big picture," he would make all of the important decisions.

146 pages, Paperback

Published March 5, 2020