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Dwight D. Eisenhower: An Associated Press Biography
A stirring exploration of our thirty-fourth President, Dwight D. Eisenhower.
From the time of his childhood in rural Kansas, Dwight D. Eisenhower’s vision of himself and his country was one of confidence and hope. His hard-working parents taught him self-reliance and nothing that happened in his long career ever eroded this trait.
During nearly half a century of service to his country and the world, Eisenhower displayed a deep understanding of the nation's problems, aspirations, and fears that prevailed during both war and peace.
He possessed an ability to communicate with the American people in a remarkable way. They saw in him a man of sincerity and instructive good will, and they trusted him implicitly. And Eisenhower demonstrated these qualities to his countrymen again and again in full measure.
“Dwight D. An Associated Press Biography” includes a new Foreword by retired Colonel Jack Jacobs, Medal of Honor recipient, a bonus feature called The "Great Deception," and select photographs from the AP archives.
From the time of his childhood in rural Kansas, Dwight D. Eisenhower’s vision of himself and his country was one of confidence and hope. His hard-working parents taught him self-reliance and nothing that happened in his long career ever eroded this trait.
During nearly half a century of service to his country and the world, Eisenhower displayed a deep understanding of the nation's problems, aspirations, and fears that prevailed during both war and peace.
He possessed an ability to communicate with the American people in a remarkable way. They saw in him a man of sincerity and instructive good will, and they trusted him implicitly. And Eisenhower demonstrated these qualities to his countrymen again and again in full measure.
“Dwight D. An Associated Press Biography” includes a new Foreword by retired Colonel Jack Jacobs, Medal of Honor recipient, a bonus feature called The "Great Deception," and select photographs from the AP archives.
394 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1969
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 18, 2022
I haven't ready any hagiography, but I have read David Halberstam, and this book comes pretty darn close to the late great (make that "latest greatest") king of the superlatives. Mr. Morin seems to have known the former General and President pretty well, and wants us to believe that he was a man of superhuman modesty. Um . . . maybe that's true. Still, he left out a lot of evidence that would have contradicted his thesis, like Ike's infidelities (an excusable omission) and attempted interference in the Brown v. Board of Education decision (heaven forbid we believe that Ike is less than a paragon of civil rights). There's no mention of the Soviet invasion of Hungary in 1956, or Richard Nixon's disastrous South American tour in '58. You'd think, from this book, that the Trickster was just Ike's loyal subordinate, and that the tepid support he displayed for his chosen successor in 1960 was just . . y'know . . Ike being his usual, supernaturally down-to-Earth self. Now, I like Ike. From what I've read about him, he was a good man, a good soldier, and an okay President. I have to believe, though, that he was more complicated than the Gumpish paragon of decency portrayed here, but I guess America needs its heroes.
May 1, 2020
Excellent book!!!
I have enjoyed this book immensely, it was informative, with lots of interesting information, without being text book or boring!!! What an incredible man.
I have enjoyed this book immensely, it was informative, with lots of interesting information, without being text book or boring!!! What an incredible man.
August 9, 2024
Relman Morin, the celebrated AP reporter who was active during Eisenhower's life and terms in office, has written a compelling page turner of a biography that describes clearly why so many people "liked Ike."
I knew very little about Eisenhower, given that most of my history classes growing up stopped at World War II. As such, I learned a great deal about not only Eisenhower as a person but also about the time in which he was President, and how he served that role for eight years.
My main critique of the book is, to be honest, a bit unfair, but truthful: Even before I looked up Morin, I could tell from his writing that he was a white man writing during a particular time -- and, indeed, he was. His thinly veiled way of writing about women in particular, as well as the stories he chose to tell (and how he chose to recount them) from the Civil Rights era (using the word "Negro" without contextualizing it in history -- since it wasn't history for him!) as well as the "n" word when quoting Southern racists during attempts at integration (but using the actual word). In the end, he used the language of his time -- but as someone in 2024 committed to social justice, I'll say it was jarring.
As you see, this did not stop me from still giving the book five stars, as the book itself was clear and well-written. It made me wistful for a time when people might disagree politically, but without the vitriol and lies of 2024 America. To be sure, DJT is not the first whackadoodle political figure from US history (looking at you, Joe McCarthy...) but where we are today is truly unprecedented in our nation.
I knew very little about Eisenhower, given that most of my history classes growing up stopped at World War II. As such, I learned a great deal about not only Eisenhower as a person but also about the time in which he was President, and how he served that role for eight years.
My main critique of the book is, to be honest, a bit unfair, but truthful: Even before I looked up Morin, I could tell from his writing that he was a white man writing during a particular time -- and, indeed, he was. His thinly veiled way of writing about women in particular, as well as the stories he chose to tell (and how he chose to recount them) from the Civil Rights era (using the word "Negro" without contextualizing it in history -- since it wasn't history for him!) as well as the "n" word when quoting Southern racists during attempts at integration (but using the actual word). In the end, he used the language of his time -- but as someone in 2024 committed to social justice, I'll say it was jarring.
As you see, this did not stop me from still giving the book five stars, as the book itself was clear and well-written. It made me wistful for a time when people might disagree politically, but without the vitriol and lies of 2024 America. To be sure, DJT is not the first whackadoodle political figure from US history (looking at you, Joe McCarthy...) but where we are today is truly unprecedented in our nation.
January 22, 2025
A great man full of honor, duty, and love for Christ and country.
Biographies are always more interesting than history books, as history is the story of man.
Eisenhower climbed to the highest ranks of the government both militarily and politically. He was class personified and represented a gentler and more moral America.
He led the free world against Leftwing fascism and national socialism and defeated them. That was when America was about winning, instead of playing not to lose or worse, managed decline under established elites like it has been prior to Trump.
The only shortcoming of Eisenhower was not passing the Civil Rights Act during his presidency. If he could’ve done that, we might’ve avoided having Democrats succeed him, mainly Lyndon Johnson- a truly destructive and bad man.
He also didn’t use the bully pulpit of the presidency as much as he could’ve until later in his second term. As it stated in the book,
“A strong president is one who dominates Congress and the legislative process. A weak president merely proposes and let Congress dispose.”
Eisenhower showed me that the presidency takes a heavy burden on the one in that office, he had multiple health issues such as a stroke and heart attack as president.
I have no doubt Eisenhower earned his way into heaven, as he dedicated his life to protecting his faith, family, and flag. Rest in peace, soldier! We’ll take it from here 🇺🇸 🫡
Biographies are always more interesting than history books, as history is the story of man.
Eisenhower climbed to the highest ranks of the government both militarily and politically. He was class personified and represented a gentler and more moral America.
He led the free world against Leftwing fascism and national socialism and defeated them. That was when America was about winning, instead of playing not to lose or worse, managed decline under established elites like it has been prior to Trump.
The only shortcoming of Eisenhower was not passing the Civil Rights Act during his presidency. If he could’ve done that, we might’ve avoided having Democrats succeed him, mainly Lyndon Johnson- a truly destructive and bad man.
He also didn’t use the bully pulpit of the presidency as much as he could’ve until later in his second term. As it stated in the book,
“A strong president is one who dominates Congress and the legislative process. A weak president merely proposes and let Congress dispose.”
Eisenhower showed me that the presidency takes a heavy burden on the one in that office, he had multiple health issues such as a stroke and heart attack as president.
I have no doubt Eisenhower earned his way into heaven, as he dedicated his life to protecting his faith, family, and flag. Rest in peace, soldier! We’ll take it from here 🇺🇸 🫡
January 19, 2022
Very solid presidential biography.
Unlike some other presidential biographies, I think this book did a good job at keeping it relatively short and to the point. It didn't include what I think are unnecessary details going into great depth about the family history and things like that.
Unlike some other presidential biographies, I think this book did a good job at keeping it relatively short and to the point. It didn't include what I think are unnecessary details going into great depth about the family history and things like that.
August 6, 2023
Very good book on the theater of Europe in World War II, which was a nice addition. VERY little critical analysis of the man or his decisions in the White House, and I kept thinking it read a bit like a family member wrote this. But it was interesting and worth the time.
December 24, 2023
A wonderful biography of a great American hero
A wonderful and evenhanded biography of one of our greatest presidents and greatest American heroes. I’ve read three other biographies of president and general Eisenhower, and this one compares very favorable with the others.
A wonderful and evenhanded biography of one of our greatest presidents and greatest American heroes. I’ve read three other biographies of president and general Eisenhower, and this one compares very favorable with the others.
October 11, 2024
An enjoyable profile of Eisenhower's life. The writing is excellent. I wish there had been more attention to his early Kansas days and his military work. The emphasis in the book is his political connections and influences
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April 22, 2024The life of #dwightdeisenhower by #relmanmorin an impressive rise from fairly normal beginnings to soldier, general, military commander of WW2 and eventually to POTUS.
November 18, 2024
A memorable, era-defining, masculine tale.
I like Ike.
I like Ike.
October 24, 2022
I was a tot during Ike's presidency, but this filled in the blanks regarding why he was sought after so widely to lead the country. I think of him every time I merge onto an Interstate highway.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews