Helpful Score: 1
As someone who loves historical biographies, this book was a treat. Korda employs a readable style with enough detail to delight, but not too much so as to overwhelm.
Without question, Korda is sympathetic towards Eisenhower. Countless places throughout the book he will state others criticism towards Eisenhower (i.e., not pressing to Berlin in WWII), and immediately follow with but and defend the generals decisions and character. In particular, Eisenhowers relationship with Kay Summersby is consistently defended as unusual, but innocent.
Without a doubt the bulk of this story falls on Eisenhowers time in the military. It chronicles how small incidents in his career proved salient later in life. For example, Eisenhower volunteered to accompany the army expedition to drive across country from coast to coast. That experience convinced him that the U.S. needed a system of roads comparable to Germanys autobahn. Hence, the interstate system was born.
For those interested in the political side of Eisenhowers career, this book will disappoint. In particular, Eisenhowers second term is glossed over in part, I would assume, because it surely was not the highlight of Eisenhowers distinguished life. Nevertheless, this book is one of the more engaging biographies Ive read. It comes recommended.
Without question, Korda is sympathetic towards Eisenhower. Countless places throughout the book he will state others criticism towards Eisenhower (i.e., not pressing to Berlin in WWII), and immediately follow with but and defend the generals decisions and character. In particular, Eisenhowers relationship with Kay Summersby is consistently defended as unusual, but innocent.
Without a doubt the bulk of this story falls on Eisenhowers time in the military. It chronicles how small incidents in his career proved salient later in life. For example, Eisenhower volunteered to accompany the army expedition to drive across country from coast to coast. That experience convinced him that the U.S. needed a system of roads comparable to Germanys autobahn. Hence, the interstate system was born.
For those interested in the political side of Eisenhowers career, this book will disappoint. In particular, Eisenhowers second term is glossed over in part, I would assume, because it surely was not the highlight of Eisenhowers distinguished life. Nevertheless, this book is one of the more engaging biographies Ive read. It comes recommended.
More or less sympathetic biography. I was interested in his political career, and there isn't much there (how he pushed the interstate program, how and why he chose Nixon - maybe his most enduring legacy, and his post presidential years, were basically glossed over.)
