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ljkinkad's review against another edition
4.0
Good insight into Eisenhower’s personality and his approach to war in a nuclear age. His “bluff” was that he would use nuclear weapons in any conflict, no matter the size. And he portrayed that to everyone, even closest friends, advisors, and Mamie. He was convinced that his position would only work if absolutely everyone was convinced he would use nuclear weapons in any conflict. Eisenhower was concerned that any conflict could escalate into nuclear so it was best to avoid any conflict and the best way to do that was to threaten use of nuclear. It worked. His close advisors still debated after his death whether he would have used nuclear. The book also demonstrates that Eisenhower was not befuddled grandfather that he portrayed. He was really quite cunning and on top of strategy (until probably the last 6 months of his presidency after 2 strokes when he kind of withdrew).
He was a big golfer - 3-4 times a week. He loved to play poker and bridge with a group of former military friends that remained close throughout.
He was a big golfer - 3-4 times a week. He loved to play poker and bridge with a group of former military friends that remained close throughout.
civreader's review
3.0
Some interesting stuff in here, and good prose-style, but ultimately disappointing. Not nearly as good as Thomas's previous book, WAR LOVERS, which is one of my all-time favourite history books. This was just a little strange, and I can't quite put my finger on why... There are definitely better books about Eisenhower and his foreign policy.
clambook's review
3.0
Lively, as all of Evan Thomas's histories are, but I kind of bogged down halfway through, once Ike's character was set. Then it became a matter of seeing how the character traits would play out in a sequence of relatively well-known events. Enjoyable in any event.
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