What do you think?
Rate this book
The Bitter Woods: The Battle of the Bulge
It was the greatest single battle the U.S. Army ever fought. More than a million GIs were involved and nearly 80,000 became casualties. The Allied generals had to rally beaten, dispirited troops in the face of an attack they had never dreamed possible.A study in command, from generals to squad leaders, The Bitter Woods follows von Runstedt, Dietrich, and of course Hitler, as closely as the Americans. As son of the supreme commander Dwight D. Eisenhower, a West Point graduate, a retired Army brigadier general, and a military historian, John Eisenhower is uniquely qualified to tell how the Allied generals (nearly all of whom he knew personally) met Hitler's challenge; how the two armies fought fiercely in the Ardennes from December 1944 to January 1945; and how the Allied victory broke the back of Nazi aggression.
520 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1969
9 people are currently reading
452 people want to read
About the author
John S.D. Eisenhower
33 books30 followersJohn Sheldon Doud Eisenhower was a United States Army officer, diplomat, and military historian. He was the son of President Dwight D. Eisenhower and First Lady Mamie Eisenhower. His military career spanned from before, during, and after his father's presidency, and he left active duty in 1963 and then retired in 1974. From 1969 to 1971, Eisenhower served as United States Ambassador to Belgium during the administration of President Richard Nixon, who was previously his father's vice president and also his daughter-in-law's father.
As a military historian, Eisenhower wrote several books, including The Bitter Woods, a study of the Battle of the Bulge, So Far from God, a history of the Mexican–American War and Yanks: The Epic Story of the American Army in World War I .
As a military historian, Eisenhower wrote several books, including The Bitter Woods, a study of the Battle of the Bulge, So Far from God, a history of the Mexican–American War and Yanks: The Epic Story of the American Army in World War I .
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 20, 2021
John S.D. Eisenhower (1922-2013) was the son of President Dwight D. Eisenhower. He attended West Point (Class of 1944) and reached the rank of Brigadier General in the U.S. Army. His daughter-in-law (Julie) is Richard Nixon's daughter, the presidential retreat Camp David is named after his son, and he was the U.S. Ambassador to Belgium from 1969 - 1971. All in all, he had a full life, but he was also a military historian. The Bitter Woods is his first book and in many respects remains his most ambitious.
It's my understanding that Eisenhower spent several years in the mid-Sixties researching the book. Thanks to his birth and profession, he enjoyed a unique access to many of the people involved (at the highest levels) with the Battle of the Bulge. The result is a solid, highly detailed work of military history with strong focus on the higher levels of command. Not surprising when taking into account John Eisenhower's background. His Army experience was not that of the humble infantry private or the short-lived 2nd lieutenant leading a platoon on the front line. Not his fault. One can't choose one's parents and his father kept him out of the worst aspects of infantry combat. I should mention that his father didn't do that so much as other generals were hesitant to send Ike's only son/child into harm's way.
John Eisenhower was not an edgy, angry and controversial historian. He wrote competent, solidly researched military history. He wasn't a revisionist or a radical. The result is his books are detailed and readable, but not out to prove or disprove anything. The Bitter Woods is a thick book with lots of details concerning a huge battle that stretched over a month and involved hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians on both sides. It was a horrifically brutal fight that took place during one of the coldest and snowiest European Decembers on record. As others have observed the Battle of the Bulge was the Eastern Front (infamous for its pitiless brutality) transplanted to Belgium and thrown against the U.S. Army. American soldiers who had been young civilians just months before found themselves fighting German troops hardened by warfare against the Russians. An opponent who neither expected nor gave quarter...for the most part. The Americans were held in low regard by the Germans and while there were defeats and ground lost the American Army held and then pushed back. As I wrote earlier it was a brutal battle and a massive one. Eisenhower does good work examining the fight from the big picture perspective. There are numerous maps and many photographs. That's important while covering such an extensive subject since it's easy for a reader to grow confused and disoriented. Exactly what I would expect from a West Pointer with extensive staff experience. His book also has numerous anecdotes scattered throughout, some of which I suspect he learned about from the participants themselves.
There are aspects to Eisenhower's work that both dates it and marks it as the work of a "privileged son". All of the American commanders are portrayed in good light if not always flattering. For example, U.S. Army Generals Hodges and Bradley are not criticized for how they reacted and didn't react in the early days of the battle. In the decades since Eisenhower's book was published more has come to light about how the two American generals and how their slowness to react might have contributed to the German successes at the start of the offensive. In addition, they are no longer seen as shining examples of American military competence, but in the late sixties one would not find such critiques of the Greatest Generation in a mainstream work of military history. Perhaps in a doctoral thesis written by a twenty something at Columbia or Yale, but not by the son of Dwight D. Eisenhower.
If one is looking for righteous anger and caustic observations then don't read The Bitter Woods. However, if one is looking to read a competent and dense account of the Battle of the Bulge written from the perspective of a professional officer then I recommend Mr. Eisenhower's work.
It's my understanding that Eisenhower spent several years in the mid-Sixties researching the book. Thanks to his birth and profession, he enjoyed a unique access to many of the people involved (at the highest levels) with the Battle of the Bulge. The result is a solid, highly detailed work of military history with strong focus on the higher levels of command. Not surprising when taking into account John Eisenhower's background. His Army experience was not that of the humble infantry private or the short-lived 2nd lieutenant leading a platoon on the front line. Not his fault. One can't choose one's parents and his father kept him out of the worst aspects of infantry combat. I should mention that his father didn't do that so much as other generals were hesitant to send Ike's only son/child into harm's way.
John Eisenhower was not an edgy, angry and controversial historian. He wrote competent, solidly researched military history. He wasn't a revisionist or a radical. The result is his books are detailed and readable, but not out to prove or disprove anything. The Bitter Woods is a thick book with lots of details concerning a huge battle that stretched over a month and involved hundreds of thousands of soldiers and civilians on both sides. It was a horrifically brutal fight that took place during one of the coldest and snowiest European Decembers on record. As others have observed the Battle of the Bulge was the Eastern Front (infamous for its pitiless brutality) transplanted to Belgium and thrown against the U.S. Army. American soldiers who had been young civilians just months before found themselves fighting German troops hardened by warfare against the Russians. An opponent who neither expected nor gave quarter...for the most part. The Americans were held in low regard by the Germans and while there were defeats and ground lost the American Army held and then pushed back. As I wrote earlier it was a brutal battle and a massive one. Eisenhower does good work examining the fight from the big picture perspective. There are numerous maps and many photographs. That's important while covering such an extensive subject since it's easy for a reader to grow confused and disoriented. Exactly what I would expect from a West Pointer with extensive staff experience. His book also has numerous anecdotes scattered throughout, some of which I suspect he learned about from the participants themselves.
There are aspects to Eisenhower's work that both dates it and marks it as the work of a "privileged son". All of the American commanders are portrayed in good light if not always flattering. For example, U.S. Army Generals Hodges and Bradley are not criticized for how they reacted and didn't react in the early days of the battle. In the decades since Eisenhower's book was published more has come to light about how the two American generals and how their slowness to react might have contributed to the German successes at the start of the offensive. In addition, they are no longer seen as shining examples of American military competence, but in the late sixties one would not find such critiques of the Greatest Generation in a mainstream work of military history. Perhaps in a doctoral thesis written by a twenty something at Columbia or Yale, but not by the son of Dwight D. Eisenhower.
If one is looking for righteous anger and caustic observations then don't read The Bitter Woods. However, if one is looking to read a competent and dense account of the Battle of the Bulge written from the perspective of a professional officer then I recommend Mr. Eisenhower's work.
November 8, 2014
As readers of my reviews will know I am a student of World War II. As such I am looking for books that are reliable sources for particular topics. For the Battle of the Bulge that book is “The Bitter Woods”. While author John Eisenhower was the son of one of, if not the, battle’s most significant participants, his role in this project is that of a serious historian with an unparelled access to then living veterans of the operation.
Eisenhower approaches the Ardennes campaign from all aspects, German, American, and British, planning, execution and reaction, prognosis, analysis and ultimate effect. He examines the actions of the principal actors: Hitler, von Rundstedt, Model, Dietrich, Manteuffel, Eisenhower, Bradley, Hodges, Patton, Hodges and Montgomery.
The Ardennes was an avenue for invasion of France in 1940 and before. The idea for the ‘44 offensive was Hitler’s. Like many of his prior schemes his generals advised against it, to the extent that they dared. It was the Fuehrer’s vision that a drive could take Antwerp, disrupt Allied supplies, break the alliance and permit the return of Germany’s forces toward the East. It was his final gamble with his last reserves. For the Allies, who thought Germany incapable of another offensive, it came a surprise and, once they realized what was happening, an opportunity to destroy the Nazi army in the West. The plan failed due to its own unrealistic expectations. The weather was, as Hitler predicted, bad, but not indefinitely. The Americans were surprised, but they recovered. The drive was powerful, but not powerful enough and faltered under flank attacks and aerial pounding.
While the offensive had no chance of success, it did ignite smoldering rivalries and resentments within the Allied High Command. Monty saw his chance to achieve his goal of being appointed overall ground commander and getting control of the American Army that he needed to continue British drives into Germany. His power play amidst the chaos of the Bulge almost resulted in a “Monty or me” ultimatum from Eisenhower to Marshall that would have necessitated in Montgomery’s removal from the scene. Determinations to end the war and Ike’s diplomacy brought the squabbling generals together to finish the job.
The highlights of the battle and follow-up actions have their places in this narrative. The massacre at Malmedy, the encirclement and rescue of “The Battling Bastards of Bastogne” and closing of the Bulge were just steps on the road to the fulfillment of the mission of the Allied Armies that was achieved on May 8, 1945. The repulse of the invading armies opened new questions, such as should Ike have tried to take Berlin and how far should his armies go? Political agreements prove the wisdom of Eisenhower’s refusal, in the absence of contrary orders, to sacrifice lives to take territory that would be turned over to the Russians.
The generals’ strengths and weaknesses are assessed. Eisenhower, never a field commander, was enough of a politician to keep his coalition fighting. Patton, who would throw caution to the wind in pursuit of an opportunity and Montgomery, master of the set piece battle, are shown as different leaders, each with their own contributions to victory. Bradley was the quiet general who, despite his frustrations, could work with all of them. Hitler is depicted as the visionary who thought he could will his nation to victory, even when that chance had vanished, but who could still draw the last ounce of fight out of his defeated people. In the end the attack he ordered shortened the war and enabled the dreaded Russians to advance further into the Fatherland.
“The Bitter Wood” is thorough but not overwhelming. When I picked it up I hoped that it would give me an understanding of why the Battle of the Bulge happened, how it unfolded and what its results were. When I had finished I felt that I had achieved my objective. A book that can explain such a major event in world history and place it in perspective is one not to be missed.
Eisenhower approaches the Ardennes campaign from all aspects, German, American, and British, planning, execution and reaction, prognosis, analysis and ultimate effect. He examines the actions of the principal actors: Hitler, von Rundstedt, Model, Dietrich, Manteuffel, Eisenhower, Bradley, Hodges, Patton, Hodges and Montgomery.
The Ardennes was an avenue for invasion of France in 1940 and before. The idea for the ‘44 offensive was Hitler’s. Like many of his prior schemes his generals advised against it, to the extent that they dared. It was the Fuehrer’s vision that a drive could take Antwerp, disrupt Allied supplies, break the alliance and permit the return of Germany’s forces toward the East. It was his final gamble with his last reserves. For the Allies, who thought Germany incapable of another offensive, it came a surprise and, once they realized what was happening, an opportunity to destroy the Nazi army in the West. The plan failed due to its own unrealistic expectations. The weather was, as Hitler predicted, bad, but not indefinitely. The Americans were surprised, but they recovered. The drive was powerful, but not powerful enough and faltered under flank attacks and aerial pounding.
While the offensive had no chance of success, it did ignite smoldering rivalries and resentments within the Allied High Command. Monty saw his chance to achieve his goal of being appointed overall ground commander and getting control of the American Army that he needed to continue British drives into Germany. His power play amidst the chaos of the Bulge almost resulted in a “Monty or me” ultimatum from Eisenhower to Marshall that would have necessitated in Montgomery’s removal from the scene. Determinations to end the war and Ike’s diplomacy brought the squabbling generals together to finish the job.
The highlights of the battle and follow-up actions have their places in this narrative. The massacre at Malmedy, the encirclement and rescue of “The Battling Bastards of Bastogne” and closing of the Bulge were just steps on the road to the fulfillment of the mission of the Allied Armies that was achieved on May 8, 1945. The repulse of the invading armies opened new questions, such as should Ike have tried to take Berlin and how far should his armies go? Political agreements prove the wisdom of Eisenhower’s refusal, in the absence of contrary orders, to sacrifice lives to take territory that would be turned over to the Russians.
The generals’ strengths and weaknesses are assessed. Eisenhower, never a field commander, was enough of a politician to keep his coalition fighting. Patton, who would throw caution to the wind in pursuit of an opportunity and Montgomery, master of the set piece battle, are shown as different leaders, each with their own contributions to victory. Bradley was the quiet general who, despite his frustrations, could work with all of them. Hitler is depicted as the visionary who thought he could will his nation to victory, even when that chance had vanished, but who could still draw the last ounce of fight out of his defeated people. In the end the attack he ordered shortened the war and enabled the dreaded Russians to advance further into the Fatherland.
“The Bitter Wood” is thorough but not overwhelming. When I picked it up I hoped that it would give me an understanding of why the Battle of the Bulge happened, how it unfolded and what its results were. When I had finished I felt that I had achieved my objective. A book that can explain such a major event in world history and place it in perspective is one not to be missed.
September 2, 2020
John Eisenhower wrote a very comprehensive look at the Bulge, and seeing as his dad was the Eisenhower with five stars on his uni, well, you can imagine he had access to some great details about the Allied side of the Battle. What you might not expect is how detailed his account is from the Nazi side of the fight. Surely you have an idea of how political Ike's job could be trying to keep the British, French and American generals on the same page and without unruffled feathers. Amazingly enough, part of Hitler's plan was to pressure the Allies and cause some internal strife, to the point of a total split. He thought the Americans would maybe re-align themselves with Germany or just take their ball and go home. I must admit, I totally dismissed that notion early in the book. However, Ike had some real trouble with the British press, Monty pressing his ideas and Churchill trying to politic for the Brits' ideas while still being supportive of Ike. . . when push came to shove. This is an excellent, and well-written book covering the straw that broke the Nazis' back. If it has a weakness, it may be that it is too detailed in parts.
September 15, 2019
An excellent study in not only the Battle of the Bulge, but events leading up to the German offensive shortly after the Normandy Landings. The author, the son of the Allied Supreme Commander in Europe, Dwight D. Eisenhower, makes extensive use of military records, personal interviews and correspondence with participants on both sides of the battles as well as having his work personally checked by General/President Eisenhower. All levels are represented from the leadership at the top down to the squad level with numerous anecdotes from both sides. The book is packed with information on unit movements and subsequent battles and told in a way that doesn't make it dry or boring. While history books tout the heroics of the 101st Airborne in Bastogne, the book only pays tribute to their actions in how they fit into the overall picture. While the 101st is deserving of accolades for their stand, many other units performed astounding feats of arms to delay, stop and decimate the German advance and they are all called out by the author.
September 26, 2024
John Eisenhower's study of the Battle of the Bulge includes the events leading up to the battle as well. The author covers a very large subject. The Battle of the Bulge involved weeks of time and many miles of territory. It is too big a subject to follow easily but this author's writing makes it possible to follow. Eisenhower wrote about the wide strategy of the top generals but also about the actions of many individuals on the ground. The sacrifices of individual soldiers and small groups impressed me in ways it had not done before.
..3
The maps included with the text are very helpful. Reading The Bitter Woods has given me a better understanding of this important event.
..3
The maps included with the text are very helpful. Reading The Bitter Woods has given me a better understanding of this important event.
September 28, 2025
John Eisenhower, son of Dwight Eisenhower the Supreme Allied Commander Allied Expeditionary Force in Europe and by a strange coincidence graduated from West Point as the troops under his father’s command landed on the shores of Normandy on June 6, 1944.
As the noose tightened on Hitler and Germany, in a desperate gamble to stave off the inevitable, the Germans would launch a surprise counter offensive in Belgium that would be the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge, the last offensive on western lines during WWII.
Well written this provides phenomenal insight into the last great battle in Europe that would lead to the final collapse of Hitler’s regime and the war in Europe.
As the noose tightened on Hitler and Germany, in a desperate gamble to stave off the inevitable, the Germans would launch a surprise counter offensive in Belgium that would be the beginning of the Battle of the Bulge, the last offensive on western lines during WWII.
Well written this provides phenomenal insight into the last great battle in Europe that would lead to the final collapse of Hitler’s regime and the war in Europe.
January 11, 2024
A detailed accounting and analysis of the Battle of the Bulge. Written by Eisenhower's son, who was himself an officer in the U.S. Army, the book is a brisk read backed up by a rich bibliography. Any familial bias is very minor at most. All of the significant characters receive a nuanced account. There is a sufficient build-up to the battle (Overlord, Cobra, etc.) and the macro details are interspersed with on-the-ground accounts to change the pace. Looking forward to reading again with an eye toward studying the battle and following up on the rich reference material.
August 28, 2022
Although this book was almost over researched and full of detail, it did provide a more balanced view of the overall battle than the typical Gen. Patton coming to the rescue. The soldiers on site when the battle began did the majority of the hard fighting before Patton ever arrived. The book pointed out the egos and eccentricities of Field Marshall Montgomery and General DeGaulle that several times in this battle almost derailed the overall effort.
December 27, 2017
I enjoyed this. McDonald's "A Time For Trumpets" and this work tend to fill in some gaps that each work had. I recommend both together...though I liked McDonald's book better. This one was a bit dry, if informative.
I finished this a week after having been in Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany to visit the sites of the various battles fought.
I finished this a week after having been in Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany to visit the sites of the various battles fought.
August 29, 2018
“The Bitter Woods” is the best book I have ever read on the Battle of the Bulge. It not only discusses in-depth the military & political aspects of the last ditch German Offensive, but it also gives a very good analysis of why it failed. A must read for those who want to know what really happened in the Ardennes in 1944-1945.
October 3, 2023
The most thorough work on this great battle.
June 10, 2014
I found The "Bitter Woods" by John Eisenhower to surprisingly good. I went into the book with low expectations, but read it because it was reference a few time in "The Damned Engineers," an excellent little book about the heroic exploits of the 291st combat engineers around Malmedy during the Battle of the Bulge. Eisenhower, son of Supreme Commander, had written a reasonably detailed and balanced account of the battle in the Ardennes forest in late 1944. The author takes 160 pages to brief the reader on the European campaign leading up to December 16, 1944, including helpful biographical sketches of the main commanders on all sides.
This book is as good as can be expected written in 1969, only 25 years after the events. The fact that the Allies had broken some of the German codes and were reading their mail was not declassified until the 1970s, but this would have had little effect since Hitler took extraordinary security measures for the Nazi Ardennes offensive.
The author's treatment of the famous riff between General Eisenhower and Montgomery is treated even-handedly - in fact I think the author was rather gentle on Montgomery - the towering egomaniac in the Allied cause, rivalled only by General McArthur.
Activities around St. Vith and Bastogne are covered in detail in this 480-page book. I would have enjoyed an expansion of the book to 600 pages or so covering the other fronts in more detail.
Anyway, I found the book entertaining and informative.
This book is as good as can be expected written in 1969, only 25 years after the events. The fact that the Allies had broken some of the German codes and were reading their mail was not declassified until the 1970s, but this would have had little effect since Hitler took extraordinary security measures for the Nazi Ardennes offensive.
The author's treatment of the famous riff between General Eisenhower and Montgomery is treated even-handedly - in fact I think the author was rather gentle on Montgomery - the towering egomaniac in the Allied cause, rivalled only by General McArthur.
Activities around St. Vith and Bastogne are covered in detail in this 480-page book. I would have enjoyed an expansion of the book to 600 pages or so covering the other fronts in more detail.
Anyway, I found the book entertaining and informative.
February 5, 2016
Some episodes of history are more than unforgettable, they are thrilling every time one thinks of them. One such is the battle of the bulge, when the allied forces were further out than could be logistically supported and German forces unexpectedly turned around to strike back, and the allies were surrounded on almost all sides with almost no option but to surrender or be massacred - and yet the commander famously replied "nuts" to the proposal of surrender from the Germans, barely taking the cigar out of his mouth for saying that much calmly, immediately, nonchalantly.
Patton was in Italy and was informed of the bulge and the urgency - and he drove his army in an impossible drive across to the battlefront in Ardennes near Belgian border in time to save the situation, the men, the battle and the war.
This book amongst others about the battle of the bulge has a point in being by Eisenhower.
Patton was in Italy and was informed of the bulge and the urgency - and he drove his army in an impossible drive across to the battlefront in Ardennes near Belgian border in time to save the situation, the men, the battle and the war.
This book amongst others about the battle of the bulge has a point in being by Eisenhower.
July 26, 2014
A completely solid, comprehensive account of the final German offensive in the West. Focusing on context and commanders the author (the son of the Dwight D. Eisenhower) places the battle the strategic content of WW2 and enables the reader to gain a multifaceted appreciation of the commanders on both side.
Concurrently he convincingly calls out how the combat qualities of individual US soldiers an small units created the delay and friction that effectively thwarted the German attempt to turn the tide.
Probably especially interesting for the military professional or the engaged and knowledgeable enthusiast.
Concurrently he convincingly calls out how the combat qualities of individual US soldiers an small units created the delay and friction that effectively thwarted the German attempt to turn the tide.
Probably especially interesting for the military professional or the engaged and knowledgeable enthusiast.
May 18, 2015
This is a great book for an overview of the Battle of the Bulge. The author is understandably biased (his Dad was in charge of the Allied side), so you must take that into account.
The highlight of this book for me: during a staff ride of the St Vith area, my Lieutenants and I used the book's maps and descriptions to find the foxholes of a recon platoon that held off a German parachute division for several hours, delaying Kampfgruppe Peiper's breakthrough. Standing in those fighting positions gave us an incredible appreciation for what happened on that Hallowed Ground.
The highlight of this book for me: during a staff ride of the St Vith area, my Lieutenants and I used the book's maps and descriptions to find the foxholes of a recon platoon that held off a German parachute division for several hours, delaying Kampfgruppe Peiper's breakthrough. Standing in those fighting positions gave us an incredible appreciation for what happened on that Hallowed Ground.
February 12, 2014
Personally, I made a mistake in not reading the story line level of this book? It choose books about cold weather war in I Europe and Korea to read during the winter, as it gets to feel how it felt. I assumed that it would be a book about the company level during the battle of the bulge, but it was from the general on up level! and found to be good! but again! not what I was looking for! I know I was a bit lazy, and will try to do better.
April 27, 2011
I'm enjoying this book and I have learned alot about his life and life in general. He ws an amazing man. I was inspired to read this book aftre visitng his childhood home and town earlier this month. It has made the reading the book so much more meaningful since I can picture some of the places that are referred to. Abilene is a quant little town with so much beauty.
Read
July 29, 2011A great read especially from the son of the commander!
August 29, 2016
One of the premier books about the battle of the bulge. A must read for anyone interested in World War II history.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews