Dwight D. Eisenhower: Soldier and President

by Jeff C. Young

Presents the life story of the Supreme Commander of the Allied forces during World War II, who became America's thirty-fourth president.

Genres: Presidents, Biography

112 pages, Library Binding

First published November 1, 2001

About the author

Jeff C. Young was born in Orangeburg, South Carolina but he spent his formative years in Lebanon, Indiana. Since graduating from Ball State University in 1971, Young has worked as an editor, journalist, free lance writer and librarian. When he was between writing, editing or librarian jobs, Young delivered pizzas in four different decades. In 1997, he became a published author with the debut of his book, The Fathers of American Presidents. Since then, he has written over 40 nonfiction books for young readers in the fields of biography, sports, politics/government, military history, American history and transportation. In 2007, Young's book, Bleeding Kansas and the Violent Clash Over Slavery In The Heartland, won the prestigious Spur Award from the Western Writers of America for Best Juvenile Nonfiction Book. Young currently works as the Director of the Learning Resource Center at Meridan College in Sarasota, Florida. He plans to continue his writing as long as he has the mental acuity and physical energy to write and as long as his publishers keep giving him assignments.

Reviews

[SD]

Initially, the book appeared to be a simple "feel-good" account of the general and POTUS. I was pleasantly surprised by the honest appraisal of Dwight D. Eisenhower's presidency. Although the analysis of his presidency is short and superficial, the author describes a few debatable or or questionable decisions of President Eisenhower. While most of the book is highly complementary of the the general and the president, I appreciated the honest acknowledgment of the complex and controversial actions of Dwight D. Eisenhower. I liked the easy to read, short book. After reading the book, I understand why 'white' America resonates with the theme, "I like Ike". Although categorized as "juvenile" literature, I recommend the book for children, teenagers and adults.

[Amy]

The book lost some credibility when it called Erwin Rommel "Edwin." I think it was decent otherwise and did a good job balancing the Eisenhower boosting with the critiques. There really aren't a lot of choices out there for a youth-level biography of Eisenhower!

[Tessa]

Dwight D. Eisenhower was the topic of my "hero report" in a class I'm taking. I found him to be very similar to Ulysses S. Grant who was my hero for another class last semester. To begin with, they both went to west point, they both were both excellent top generals in the army, they both became president of the united states, they both wrote books about their experiences after retiring from active duty, and they even shared the mutual hobby of painting. At one point I felt like I was reading Grant's biography all over again. They were both much better generals than they were presidents. But I do think that Ike was a better president than Grant.