“An excellent book . . . D’Este’s masterly account comes into its own.” —The Washington Post Book Worldread full description
reviews
Dec 07, 2009
Steven
rated it: 
This massive biography of Dwight Eisenhower, focusing on his life up until World War II's end (705 pages of text), is a major investment of time--but well worth it. A major strength of this work is the nuanced analysis of Ike, both his strengths and his weaknesses. He had many flaws, but he also had certain character traits that served the nation and the allies well.
The author says of Eisenhower (page 5): "The path from the poverty of turn-of-the-century Abilene, Kansas, to sup More...
The author says of Eisenhower (page 5): "The path from the poverty of turn-of-the-century Abilene, Kansas, to sup More...
Jan 28, 2009
Dad
rated it: 
Eisenhower went from Lt Col to 5 star general and SHAFE ( Supreme Commander Allied Forces Europe - overall in charge of 2 1/2 million forces and tens of thousends of tanks, ships and plaines. His greatest task was keeping the Allies together - no little task with all the egos. He was a super manager of men and material and was spotted very early in his career. His personality was such that he was liked and apparently personable, and, at the same time, a very unemotional and tacturn man. This b
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Nov 17, 2008
William
rated it:
"Eisenhower" by Carlo D'Este comes in second to his earlier work, "Patton," but this I blame on the subject,not the author. Patton was a pretty crazy, outgoing guy who wrote a lot and never kept secret his contempt for others. Eisenhower always kept it inside. This made him hard to read as a person.
D'Este interviews family members to find out more about "dad". Grown-up kids really fill in this void well, as they can add a layer of understanding once they More...
D'Este interviews family members to find out more about "dad". Grown-up kids really fill in this void well, as they can add a layer of understanding once they More...
Jan 30, 2012
Mike
rated it: 
This is a very good book about Eisenhower from his early life through WWII. It is a very good view of early 20th century American military and what it really takes to become a "surpreme commander." It takes more politics and smarts than most military leaders have. If you like history it is a good book to read.
May 27, 2011
Fred
rated it:
Extremely detailed account of the development of an interesting and intellegent man - complex and VERY human at times. The continual interplay of Politics was very enlightening and telling of what happens in all human endeavors! Worth the read!
Aug 06, 2011
Michael
rated it:
It was good. I only read the last half the part about how he was in charge of DDAY. It gave a lot of information about the interaction of the generals and the struggles that they had.
Jan 14, 2009
Michael
rated it:
An excellent biography of Eisenhower the warrior. I've always been person who thought Eisenhower was overrated. I now a a sense in what George Marshall saw in him. A good read.
Aug 05, 2011
Urey
rated it:
Thorough, comprehensive -- in fact, too comprehensive- So much detail and trivia that the reading experience begins to drag.
Sep 18, 2011
Linda
rated it:
It was an interesting read. D'Este did not refer as much as he did in Patton to other books he had written so I found it a little easier read.
Aug 03, 2010
Scott
rated it:
I must say that I'd hoped I'd get more from this book, but I think the story's incomplete. D'Este's biography of Eisenhower stops at the end of the war in Europe in 1945, but progresses no further, investigating the decisions that he made and the world he helped create when he was elected President in 1952. After Patton, D'Este raised my expectations for this book, and I feel a little disappointed.
Aug 02, 2008
Ron
rated it:
If Patton was a colorful artist's pallete of colors, Ike was a collection of earth tones. But his simplicity and dedication kept him out of trouble, and placed him squarely in history's way. Suited to the role of Supreme allied Commander? You decide after this read. Perhaps more suited to the White House he eventually won.
Oct 08, 2009
Jane
rated it:
Thorough, historically accurate, and from what I can tell, fairly unbiased. Eisenhower the soldier led a distinctive life that every officer in the US military can learn a great deal from.
However... it was rather dense, too put it mildly.
Sometimes less is more, D'Este.
However... it was rather dense, too put it mildly.
Sometimes less is more, D'Este.
Feb 10, 2012
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