The Eisenhower Diaries

by Dwight D. Eisenhower, Robert H. Ferrell (Editor)

In his books--the memoir of the Second World War, the two large volumes on the presidency, the incomplete autobiography written near the end of his life--Eisenhower related the course of events over the years, with descriptive detail and frequently with humor, but he usually stayed away from analysis. In his many private letters to friends and acquaintances, some of which have been published, he was more frank, but he still held back. And the public record of his military career and of his presidency does not reflect many open, frank statements, proofs that the soldier-president thought long and deeply about issues, personal or public; it has given substance to the speculation by many of his contemporaries and by some later students of Eisenhower that he was essentially a public relations man and that his life was all outward--an expression of assent and agreement or at least of forebearance, of a man who never had an idea or, if he did, would quickly chase it out of sight.

Genres: Biography, Politics, History, American History, Nonfiction, Diary, Military History

464 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1981

About the author

Dwight David Eisenhower, born David Dwight Eisenhower, nicknamed "Ike", was a General of the Army (five star general) in the United States Army and U.S. politician, who served as the thirty-fourth President of the United States (1953 – 1961). During the Second World War, he served as Supreme Commander of the Allied forces in Europe, with responsibility for planning and supervising the successful invasion of France and Germany in 1944-45. In 1951, he became the first supreme commander of NATO.

As President, he oversaw the cease-fire of the Korean War, kept up the pressure on the Soviet Union during the Cold War, made nuclear weapons a higher defense priority, launched the Space Race, enlarged the Social Security program, and began the Interstate Highway System.

Reviews

[J.R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading journals of people who have experienced the highest levels of leadership and the stress associated with it. Autobiographies and biographies can be fascinating accounts that provide insight, but I think diaries are more intimate and profound.

Eisenhower was a remarkable man who accomplished feats that could only inspire awe from us ordinary people. This book spanned from his time in the Philippines as Gen. MacArthur's aid through his second term as President. Genuinely enlightening and recommend it for any curious reader.

[Bruce · Rating 4 out of 5]

More journal than diary, consisting of often-quite-detailed reflections on current events, from Army days into retirement. Perhaps understandably, there's not much from World War II, but coverage of the presidential administrations is very good. I suspect this publication helped to revise historical impressions of the Eisenhower presidency. A lot of detailed praise of Richard Nixon, which counters the impression I'd had of the relationship between the two men.

[René · Rating 3 out of 5]

If one looks for what Eisenhower thought when he lived through some of the most interesting periods of modern history when he was at the centre of things, this is not the place to look. More time is spent over his frustrations with MacArthur while in the Philippines before the war, or about small-p political issues during his presidency, than going over how he faced the real challenges of war and, as president, peace. Much more was expected from a great statesman.

[Aaron Million · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not nearly as interesting as the Reagan diaries (mainly because Ike only made occasional entries and often times was reticent in putting down on paper his personal feelings about people) but nonetheless a worthwhile read.