Eisenhower in War and Peace

By: Jean Edward Smith

Narrated by: Paul Hecht

Length: 28 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Author of the best-seller FDR, Jean Edward Smith is a master of the presidential biography. Setting his sights on Dwight D. Eisenhower, Smith delivers a rich account of Eisenhower’s life using previously untapped primary sources. From the military service in WWII that launched his career to the shrewd political decisions that kept America out of wars with the Soviet Union and China, Smith reveals a man who never faltered in his dedication to serving America, whether in times of war or peace.

©2012 Jean Edward Smith (P)2012 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

“Always engrossing . . . Smith describes a man who commanded the largest coalition army in history without grandiloquent posturing . . . leaving office more popular than any successor. . . . Smith portrays a genuinely admirable Eisenhower: smart, congenial, unpretentious, and no ideologue. Despite competing biographies from Ambrose, Perret, and D’Este, this is the best.” ( Publishers Weekly, starred review)

“Dwight Eisenhower, who was more cunning than he allowed his adversaries to know, understood the advantage of being underestimated. Jean Edward Smith refutes this durable misunderstanding. Smith, America’s greatest living biographer, demonstrates why, now more than ever, Americans should like Ike.” (George F. Will)

“Jean Smith, indubitably America’s most distinguished biographer, has now produced the classic life of Dwight Eisenhower…Here he comes alive on every page—the beneficiary of the exhausting fresh research this handsomely written book is based upon. When the General died, Mamie, his lifelong wife, allowed that she never fully knew her famous husband. No reader of Smith’s work will render the same complaint.” (Henry F. Graff, Professor Emeritus of History, Columbia University)

Enjoyable listen for the casual interest

Not too deep in detail, history scholars would be disappointed but perfect for your average joe.

A decent man, a model leader

Every president, every great person has flaws. But some still rise to a level where their flaws are outweighed by their assets. Jean Edward Smith portrays Dwight David Eisenhower in a conscientious and engaging manner. We see both the cold and calculating side, along with the warm, ethical, and responsible citizen leader.

Smith makes good assessments of how Eisenhower came to his divergent responses to the intervention in Iran and Guatemala (interventions we are still paying for today in myriad and painful ways).

After listening to the end of the war in Europe twice, I did not find a reference to Eisenhower's response to the Holocaust. To seeing the death camps. In his book Crusade in Europe (pp. 408-9) he mentions the profound impact this had on him and the importance he felt of getting independent reporters to document what he'd seen lest people dismiss the Nazi atrocities as "war propaganda". He says, "I sent communications to both Washington and London, urging the two governments to send instantly to Germany a random group of newspaper editors and representative groups from the national legislatures. I felt that the evidence should be immediately placed before the American and British publics in a fashion that would leave no room for cynical doubt." Perhaps I missed it, but if I did after listening twice to the chapter, it must be very brief reference in deed.

In reading this book I feel like I have a more complete impression of the man and his driving principles. He was a honorable and good and a model for what a responsible and temperate president of a democratic republic should be. Despite having a life-long career in the decidedly non-democratic institution of the Armed Services, he understood at his core the importance of upholding democratic, civic institutions and the rule of law.

A man luck

A facinating walk through a man's life , who 's ability to coach community football opened doors to eventually becoming the leader he has been known to be, He was not really an impressive leader, but had an ability to communicate better than his boses who moved him up in rank and kept around for what most leaders would consider career stopping positions. Yet, when he asked for favors, they came through for him, true master in net working.

Gen Eisenhower and President Eisenhower

His life was very interesting as military might and a very good president. He led a good life.

Enjoyed very much.

I learned a lot from this biography. I didn’t know nearly anything about Eisenhower before this and I’m thankful for learning more. I would’ve liked to have heard much more about his family life and his life after the presidency.

Excellent biography of Ike!

Jean Edward Smith is a master biographer. His compilation of Eisenhower's complete life, from Ike's early childhood and military-school background, to his presidency and beyond, is both engaging and educational! Highly recommend!

enjoyed its nonpartisan coverage

the war chapters are sparce on tactical details but the presidential review casts questions on poor choices and spares no expense in praise. a good balance. great character study rather then a PhD treatment

A complete and reveal a history of a great president

This book does an excellent job of capturing the spirit and heart of President Eisenhower. While the author clearly admires the president, the areas that the president failed are also included. The president was a man had a significant amount to be proud, but would also admit his failure. This spirit is very well adhered within this book

As nearly complete as an Ike biography can be

Nearly 30 hours but entertaining all the way through. The author seems to be one of the most honest in his approach.

It all makes so much sense

Good man good story. Now I understand why I slept well as a child in the 1950s and not so much now. He was one of a kind. Honest