Easton Press John S.D. Eisenhower books
John S.D. Eisenhower biography
John Sheldon Doud Eisenhower, born on August 3, 1922, was an accomplished American military officer, diplomat, and historian. The only son of President Dwight D. Eisenhower and First Lady Mamie Eisenhower, John Eisenhower grew up in a household deeply immersed in the military and public service. Born in Denver, Colorado, Eisenhower was surrounded by a strong sense of duty and discipline from an early age. His father, a five-star general during World War II and the 34th President of the United States, undoubtedly influenced his career path. John attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1944. He served in World War II as an officer in the U.S. Army, where he earned the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.
After the war, John Eisenhower continued his military service and became a respected military historian. He authored several books, notably The Bitter Woods, a well-regarded account of the Battle of the Bulge. His scholarly pursuits extended beyond military history, as he also explored topics related to politics and international relations.
In addition to his contributions as a historian, John Eisenhower had a distinguished military career, rising to the rank of brigadier general in the U.S. Army Reserve. He served as an aide to his father during the latter's presidency from 1953 to 1961. Later in his career, he held various military and diplomatic positions, including serving as U.S. Ambassador to Belgium during the administration of President Richard Nixon. Eisenhower's commitment to public service and his contributions to military history earned him widespread admiration. His unique perspective as the son of a president and a military officer provided valuable insights into the challenges faced by both leaders and soldiers.
John S.D. Eisenhower passed away on December 21, 2013, leaving behind a legacy of military service, historical scholarship, and a deep connection to one of the most pivotal periods in American history. His life exemplified a dedication to duty, country, and the principles of leadership instilled by his illustrious father.
General Ike - A Personal Reminiscence
General Ike is a book that John Eisenhower always knew he had to write, a tribute from an affectionate and admiring son to a great father. John chose to write about the "military Ike," as opposed to the "political Ike," because Ike cared far more about his career in uniform than about his time in the White House. A series of portraits of Ike's relations with soldiers and statesmen, from MacArthur to Patton to Montgomery to Churchill to de Gaulle, reveals the many facets of a talented, driven, headstrong, yet diplomatic leader. Taken together, they reveal a man who was brilliant, if flawed; naÏve at times in dealing with the public, yet who never lost his head when others around him were losing theirs. Above all, General Ike was a man who never let up in the relentless pursuit of the destruction of Hitler.
Here for the first time are eyewitness stories of General Patton showing off during military exercises; of Ike on the verge of departing for Europe and assuming command of the Eastern Theater; of Churchill stewing and lobbying Ike in his "off hours." Faced with giant personalities such as these men and MacArthur, not to mention difficult allies such as de Gaulle and Montgomery, Ike nevertheless managed to pull together history's greatest invasion force and to face down a determined enemy from Normandy to the Bulge and beyond. John Eisenhower masterfully uses the backdrop of Ike's key battles to paint a portrait of his father and his relationships with the great men of his time.
General Ike is a ringing and inspiring testament to a great man by an accomplished historian. It is also a personal portrait of a caring, if not always available, father by his admiring son. It is history at its best.
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