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judyward's review
3.0
An affectionate look at President Dwight Eisenhower after he left the White House in January 1961 and went into retirement at his farm in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. As David Eisenhower notes, former presidents have to carve out their own roles in retirement. The Kennedy administration increasingly tried to distance itself from the Eisenhower administration, while, ironically, President Lyndon Johnson often turned to Eisenhower for advice and counsel after becoming president in late 1963. In 1964, Eisenhower felt that Barry Goldwater was unqualified to be the Republican candidate for President and was only a lukewarm campaigner. The Eisenhower and Nixon families where brought closer togeher--Eisenhower often held Nixon at arm's length when Nixon served as his Vice-President--when David Eisenhower married Julie Eisenhower just after the 1968 election. This book combines an examination of Eisenhower's views of politics and current events during the turbulent 1960s with a grandson's relationship with a loving, but exacting, grandfather.
spinnerroweok's review
4.0
This book was an interesting look at the retirement years of President Eisenhower by his grandson David (for whom Camp David is named). Where the book is most successful is the intimate look at Eisenhower through the eyes of his grandson. Where it is less successful, but not failing, is where it takes on the tone of a history book talking about what social and political influences President Eisenhower in his post presidential years. These two approaches to the text can easily be found as David Eisenhower refers to the former president as "grand dad" in the personal moments and "Eisenhower" in the more historical sections. There is also a third reference to Eisenhower as "DDE." I think this might be the influence of Julie Nixon Eisenhower, David's wife, who worked on the book with him.
Aside from this meaningless quibble, this is the first book that I felt that I got to know Eisenhower as a person. He felt real to me in those intimate moments between him and his grandson. I love the image of the former president fiddling with the remote or painting just far enough away from his wife and guests so that he could listen in on the conversation without having to take part. Especially touching are some of the letters that Eisenhower wrote to his grandson. I especially like the letter about how nordic men do not show much affection.
When I started writing this review, I had posted 3 stars, but as I wrote it, thinking back on how David Eisenhower made human a man, who to me was like Washington, chiseled in marble, I decided to give it an extra star. I recommend for any who want to see the human side of this now more interesting president.
Aside from this meaningless quibble, this is the first book that I felt that I got to know Eisenhower as a person. He felt real to me in those intimate moments between him and his grandson. I love the image of the former president fiddling with the remote or painting just far enough away from his wife and guests so that he could listen in on the conversation without having to take part. Especially touching are some of the letters that Eisenhower wrote to his grandson. I especially like the letter about how nordic men do not show much affection.
When I started writing this review, I had posted 3 stars, but as I wrote it, thinking back on how David Eisenhower made human a man, who to me was like Washington, chiseled in marble, I decided to give it an extra star. I recommend for any who want to see the human side of this now more interesting president.
rross374's review
4.0
Coming Home to Glory is an excellent book to read about the private Life of General Eisenhower. General Eisenhower was the 34th President of the United States and the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe during World War II. The Author of the book is David Eisenhower, Ike’s oldest grandchild. David’s personal knowledge and accounts of his relationship with his grandfather makes this a very enjoyable read. I have read a few books about General Eisenhower. Some of just his military Life, others of just his Presidential Years. This book gave the span from after his Military Life and his time on the farm in Gettysburg until the end of Ike’s life. I particularly appreciated this book since I had the opportunity to visit the Eisenhower Farm in Gettysburg and could recall particular features that David described to perfection. Some biographies are so biased that I feel the author is attempting to preordain the subject for sainthood. David shows us that General Eisenhower has his strong-minded attitudes as well as his indulgent Grandfatherly compassionate feature.
verybaddogs's review
4.0
At parts, this reads almost like an amateur history/memoir - "....and then we did this, then this, then this...." - interesting, but in that polite way that listening to kids telling stories is interesting. In other parts, where David lets the reader really know his grandfather, the book shines. I think it's unintentional, but there's a sense of loss all the way through, knowing that the lively, brilliant, cantankerous General we're getting to know is going to decline and die, and that the author has lost his Granddad. But it's still good to get to know him.
I'm sure other reviewers will comment on the valuable insights it offers into 20th-century American politics, and note DDE II's years of research, his access to unpublished documents, his interviews, his personal insights, and his education. Yeah, that's nice. But what I'll remember most affectionately is the delightful mental image of the poor DMV examiner who had to give a driving test to the old General and former President who yelled "damnation!" as he screeched around corners.
I'm sure other reviewers will comment on the valuable insights it offers into 20th-century American politics, and note DDE II's years of research, his access to unpublished documents, his interviews, his personal insights, and his education. Yeah, that's nice. But what I'll remember most affectionately is the delightful mental image of the poor DMV examiner who had to give a driving test to the old General and former President who yelled "damnation!" as he screeched around corners.
brady2387's review
5.0
Very interesting, and I learned a lot. Fascinating man, with his post-presidency story told very well by his grandson and grandson's wife.
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