The General’s Women

A Novel

By: Susan Wittig Albert

Narrated by: Christine Williams

Length: 13 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's summary

Set during the chaotic years of World War II, The General's Women tells the story of the conflicted relationship between General Dwight Eisenhower and Kay Summersby, his Irish driver/aide, and the impact of that relationship on Mamie Eisenhower and her life in Washington during the war. Told from three alternating points of view (Kay's, Ike's, and Mamie's), the novel charts the deepening of the relationship as Ike and Kay move from England to North Africa to England, France, and Germany before and after the Normandy landing. At the end of the war, Ike is faced with the heart-wrenching choice between marrying Kay and a political future.

The story continues into the post-war years, as Ike (returning to Mamie) becomes Army chief of staff, president of Columbia University, supreme commander of NATO, and president of the United States. Kay, meanwhile, struggles to create a life and work of her own, writing two memoirs: the first (Eisenhower Was My Boss, 1948) about her war work with Ike; the second (Past Forgetting, 1976) about their love affair. An author's note deals with the complicated question of the truth of Kay's story as it appeared in the posthumously published Past Forgetting.

©2017 Susan Wittig Albert (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Definitely engages the reader!

Beautifully depicts the human struggle of maintaining one's integrity while still reaching for the desires of the heart.

Wonderfully imagined.

I loved this glimpse into history. It is wonderfully thought out. The author brings the characters to life.

Fascinating Story

The book told the side of the war along with a personal message. It was very detailed about the European Theatre during WWII.

Appreciated this story

Thank you to Susan Wittig Albert for researching and writing this account that could otherwise have been lost for all time. This is such an important story, and was fascinating from beginning to end.

truth

loved it all, Susan Wittig Albert is a great author, I have read many of her books and series

Great story

I never knew about the affair. Great story and details. I knew some parts had to be fiction, however, it really made the book more interesting.

Great Book

This is a soundly researched and artfully marshalled account of a very significant historical figure and a foible not commonly associated with him, weakness of spirit. The depiction of the relationship is a little too Hallmark channel- Ike was screwing her brains out like just about every other leader of Worjd War II leader. I started out admiring Ike but ended up despising his pusillanimous cop out-He was no King Edward. Ike was a commodity and John and Mamie whitewashed history and string armed Kay Somersby to preserve it
Ike was no different than Jack Kennedy or Bill Clinton, He is lucky this love affair did not sink his electability. Mamie Eisenhower is one of the most unappetizing First Ladies of History. This marriage , like much else in the 50s, was a complete sham.

Very interesting listen

I remember Eisenhower when I was a little girl and because my father admired him, I did as well. I remember when he died that we that we were sitting in the officer's club at Rhine Mein Air Base in Germany after church because my dad was stationed there. Everyone stopped eating and there were tears and expressions of sadness at the loss.

I haven't thought about him much over the years since I've been grown so when I saw this book on Audible it intrigued me. This is a very interesting story that has had me researching more about each of the central characters as their story was unfolding. I believe this will be one I will be listening to agai.

Wonderful story

I loved this war time story. The narration was great. I was looking forward to the next opportunity I had to continue listening. I highly recommend it.

Historical Fiction

While evidence of suggestions in this well-managed novel are thrilling I'm a little saddened by the implication. Written first and third person, the author has only brushed with lurid details with no substantiated base. Because it is a novel, give it a read if you're curious about presentation of of personal pasts. I think I thought it was going to be more of a primary source recounting, some of which does appear in the story (like traveling to North Africa separately) with perhaps some 'color.' I prefer my historical fiction to be more general, to the point, like GONE WITH THE WIND.