Dwight Eisenhower: A Life from Beginning to End

Biographies of US Presidents - Hourly History #34

by Hourly History

Dwight D. Eisenhower * * *Download for FREE on Kindle Unlimited + Free BONUS Inside!* * * Read On Your Computer, MAC, Smartphone, Kindle Reader, iPad, or Tablet. World War II hero Dwight D. Eisenhower had never voted in his life before he decided to run for the office of president. From the humblest of beginnings as the third of seven sons born to a struggling Kansas couple, he emerged as a military leader whose administrative acumen brought clashing personalities together. During his time in office, he was frequently dismissed as a man who would rather play golf than govern, but history has treated the thirty-fourth president with a respect that recognizes the strength of his leadership and the breadth of his accomplishments. Inside you will read about... ✓ Eisenhower, West Point Graduate ✓ Eisenhower Advances ✓ Eisenhower in Charge ✓ The Post-War Eisenhower ✓ From Commander to Candidate ✓ President Eisenhower And much more! The Eisenhower years are regarded as one of the most tranquil periods in American history, and yet he presided over a nation which saw the growth of the civil rights movement, the creation of a national system of highways, the end of the McCarthy anti-communist witch hunts, the advent of the Cold War and the quest for space. From the roads across the country to the terrain above the skies, Dwight Eisenhower, the last American president born in the nineteenth century, laid the groundwork for modern America.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Ebooks, Presidents, World War II, Historical

47 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 28, 2017

About the author

At Hourly History, we focus on publishing history books that are concise, straightforward and take no longer than one hour to read.

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Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the idea behind this series -- learn about someone in an hour. Many times, I'm curious about someone, but not curious enough to invest the time to read a 300-page book. This fills the bill nicely, at about 41 pages. Kind of like an extended Wikipedia article.

So, about Ike himself? I didn't know a lot; mainly that he was in the military and that Julie Nixon married his grandson.

A few things I learned --
* After WWI, our soldiers were given certificates to redeem for cash. But when the Depression hit, money wasn't available. The soldiers (called the "Bonus Army") protested by camping in D.C., some with their families. The Military establishment gave orders to burn their campground, and some babies were killed. Can you imagine?!

* Eisenhower made his name in WWII, serving as key leader of the Normandy Invasion.

* Eisenhower knew about the bomb the US was developing, but opposed its use because he felt Japan would surrender anyway, and he disliked the US being the first nation to use such a weapon.

* Prior to his running for President -- which was suggested to him by others -- Eisenhower had never run for office, had never voted, and had no party affiliation. Looks like Trump wasn't the first outsider to be elected to the highest office!

* Nixon was Eisenhower's VP, and during the Eisenhower presidency he gave the famous "Checkers Speech" in which he discussed his family's beloved dog by that name.

* Eisenhower served as President in the 1950s, which was a nice calm period between the turbulent WWII 1940s and the crazy radical 1960s.

Nice book; just enough for me to learn more about this president.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am completely in awe of this gentleman. He knew so little and became and accomplished so much. And yes, I Like Ike.

[Janette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great overview of his life as well as greater appreciation for his contribution to our nation!

[Anirudh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short biography of the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces during the Second World War and the subsequent US President, Dwight Eisenhower.

This book focuses on what made an average student, a pacifist by nature who joined West Point only for the sake of a free college education ended up as one of the most talked about military generals in modern history. It then shifts to his tenure as the President and his achievements, how he drew the ire of ultra conservative Republicans by pledging to end segregation and his policies towards Soviet Union.

The book, maintained the balance; the first half was on his military career and the second half was on his political career. It talked about how he rose to power in the military during peace time; a fact I knew from a lot of Second World War novel I have read wherein the soldiers often make a remark saying 'Eisenhower has never faced a real combat and so, he gives us impractical commands'. However, this book talked about the various strategic moves of Eisenhower which led to the eventual victory of the allies in the Second World War and then moves on to his political career; as to how he was able to mobilise votes for himself though not for his party and his relations with the Soviet Union and escalation of the Cold War (though, Eisenhower, personally, was still the pacifist).

The only downfall of this book is probably the fact that the book wasn't exactly hourly and it was quite long, would have taken me around hundred minutes to cover the whole book but it is good that the book had an equal focus on both aspects; unlike their book on Ulysses S. Grant.

I would award the book a rating of four on five.

[Guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started reading this with a "brace yourself" attitude. I am one of those "if he/she is a politician he/she isn't worth his/her weight in used toilet paper" guys-that's an attitude. I also know from personal experience that rank on the shoulder doesn't mean the wearer is capable of performing the position to which he/she is assigned.
Thanks for giving me a peek into Ike's life. He certainly does not ABSOLUTELY fit the stereotypes I'd assign to him, but the fact that he did avoid most of the pot-holes in the roads he traveled is to his credit.

[David Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everyone liked Ike

Born in 1951, Kennedy was the first President that I was aware of. Ike’s contributions to WWII was well recorded but it wasn’t until I joined the Army Security Agency that I learned about Eisenhower’s use of the CIA in Indochina, Central Americans and Cubs. Eisenhower seems to have been able to fly under the radar about training secret police and torture against leftists in South Americans much as Stalin did in Eastern Europe. This has been comfortably left out.

[Crystal J. Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A President for Everyone

As a baby boomer, Eisenhower was the first president I was aware of. Being born into a military family I paid attention to what was going on because of my parents. With further studies on American history I had relived WWII through newsreels and books and the importance of good leaders. Ike stood out as a strong, straight person who told it like it was and took responsibility seriously. I'm glad I got this book and it confirmed that he was right for the times.

[Timothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a mixed bag of information and missing facts. I think it spent more time on the naming of Camp David than it did on what he actually did while leading Operation Overlord (D-Day). About all it says is that he was the leader of the successful invasion at Normandy.
I know that he worked so his brother could go to college but almost nothing about his time as aide to MacArthur or how he advanced from West Point graduate to leader of the Allied forces in twenty years, other than "he was good at planning".

[Roger L. Perkins · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poorly researched

The author speaks of Eisenhower "enrolling" in West Point. Admission to West Point is a competitive process requiring a recommendation from a member of Congress.

Then he speaks of Eisenhower and Patton being concerned about their advancement after WWI as newly minted 2nd Lieutenants in 1915. WWI didn't end til 1918, 3 years after they were commissioned. Both were captains at that time.

Such sloppy research does not justify a read.

[Ed Barton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Balanced Perspective

Many Americans are not at all familiar with the lives of the Presidents. These Hourly History books provide a balanced perspective on the occupants of that office. The short book on Eisenhower covers his entire life at a very summary level - effectively conveying the unique skills and consistent apparent overachievement of the 34th POTUS.

[Julian Orozco, Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Like Ike

Well written and informative book. Learned a few things about President Eisenhower I did not know. I think this book would be very helpful for anyone writing a book report or school paper on the subject of great minds and heroes of these United States.

[Diego Palomino · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very accessible, fun to read

If you are interested in furthering your knowledge of history but don't have a lot of time to read, consider this series as a way of acquiring knowledge in a short time. Well written and fun.

[Eileen Carter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Full of facts

This book is full of facts all about the life of Dwight Eisenhower. It is an easy read which makes it perfect for students who are doing a report or someone who wants to learn more about one of our president

[Jeff Swindler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cliff Notes history of Eisenhower

A quick overview of Eisenhower. Short on detail and background but hit many high points. Might work as a start for more in-depth reading and research.

[Vince Pillig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short with thorough!

Fairly comprehensive version of Eisenhower. Read several books about him this is packed with knowledge and information. Surprised they put the part in about the bonus army but it seems to be accurate.

[thomas waltimire · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Ike and this book

I grew up in the Eisenhower years but back then didn't think about what he did
or what his background was. This book although short tells us about the quiet president. Worthy of reading

[Matthew Sparling · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good short, yet remarkably in-depth, biography of the man.

[Bruce · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting. This biography leads me to appreciate Eisenhower more, and it makes me want to know more about the man.

[laelto · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great

Great short book
The first book I've read on an American President and I enjoyed it.
Brief history of his life before and during his Presidency
Worth the read

[Jeffrey Borselli · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet

He must of had faith.. He had all the right elements of Justice, patience and execution.... the mind of Christ Amen

[Marshall D. Whitaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple and Profound

This short history is an excellent overview of Ike. Simple to read and intelligent in its offerings. Well worth the hour to discover what we do not know.

[Jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brief overview of the man's military and presidential career, highlighting his most famous achievements.

[Danielle H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read.

I learned a lot about what made the man called Ike He was a super leader and seemed to be a great human being.

[Stephen Mirrlees · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great concise read

A very detailed and to the point story of a great man. A snap shot into what made him one of America’s and the World’s heroes

[Rebecca Tyndall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice overview and a quick read. These books are perfect for someone who wants to learn about a president without committing to a huge biography.

[Daniel C Andrews · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have this book two stars because in my opinion it is too basic. It is a good book for a middle school report or for someone who knows nothing about Eisenhower

[Robin Dix · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another war hero that did so much for this country. A selfless man with a big heart that put his country first.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forthcoming

Truly enjoyed reading this account of President Eisenhower. No, he was not perfect. He was human and what he added to that era was a stabilizing influence.

[Mousie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked Ike

Interesting overview of Eisenhower's life, achievements, and philosophy, set in the wider context of the world during his lifetime. I just wish there were illustrations.

[Thom Swennes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Everyone who is interested in or studied U.S. and/or world history has heard of this man as the Supreme Allied Commander in the European theater of operations. Few would imagine that such a stoic military leader came from such humble beginnings.
Dwight David Eisenhower was born in 1890 in Denison, Texas, as the third of seven sons in the Eisenhower family. A couple of years the family moved to Abilene, Kansas, where he grew up. With no particular desire to enter the military, but because he could receive a free college education, Eisenhower entered the United States Military at West Point. He graduated in 1915 as 61st in a graduating class of 164.
He didn’t see any action in Europe during World War I but instead trained and organized troops at different places in the United States. After the war, he was part of an ever growing military power. He made a feasibility study for a national highway system (later creating, as president, Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956, creating the freeway system that now unites the forty-eight states).
Eisenhower achieved his success, not as a war-hardened warrior but for his extraordinary aptitude for planning, preparation, organization, and diplomatic compromise. All of these attributes resulted in his military success.
As an apolitical soldier (he never even voted) was pushed into public office because of his military success. He was elected as the thirty-fourth President in 1952 and served two terms.
As friendly and unassuming by those who knew him best, Eisenhower was nevertheless a man of many faces. This short history highlights the life of a great man and should serve as an inspiration to learn more. Like many Americans that elected him president, I agree with their actions and Eisenhower’s election slogan; I like Ike!