Jean Edward Smith’s Eisenhower in War and Peace is a definitive biography of one of the most influential people of the 20th century: Dwight D. Eisenhower. Smith’s comprehensive entry explores Ike’s humble beginnings in Abilene, Kansas through his presidency, and everything in between. It offers a balanced view of Eisenhower as both a strategic leader and a pragmatic politician.
Strengths
Smith divides Eisenhower’s life into distinct phases, focusing on his rise through the military, his pivotal role in WWII, and his leadership in postwar America. The book’s greatest strength is its ability to personalize a larger-than-life figure. Smith successfully demonstrates how Eisenhower’s charm, decisiveness, and ability to navigate political and military minefields leads him to become Supreme Allied Commander in World War II and later President of the United States. At the same time, Smith is not afraid to explore Eisenhower’s flaws.
Eisenhower’s legacy is defined by his ability to lead with strategic vision and pragmatism, shaping both military history and America’s postwar trajectory. As Supreme Allied Commander, he orchestrated the D-Day invasion. As President, he championed the creation of the Interstate Highway System, enforced school desegregation in Little Rock, and diffused Cold War tensions.
On the surface, it seems difficult to relate to someone with so many accomplishments. However, by weaving personal anecdotes, letters, and insights into Eisenhower’s decision-making process, Smith allows readers to see the man behind the history. This also applies to less favorable moments, including his controversial relationship with Kay Summersby and the flawed tactical choices made during the North Africa campaign.
Additionally, Eisenhower in War and Peace is clearly written and engaging, making the book accessible to both casual readers and historians. His portrayal of Eisenhower as a pragmatist who understood the limits of power is particularly compelling. It shows how the general-turned-president sought diplomatic solutions over military escalation in crucial moments of the Cold War despite the advice of his top military advisors urging proactive use of America’s nuclear arsenal.
Drawbacks
Smith’s thorough exploration in Eisenhower in War and Peace is undoubtedly a strength, but it also comes with the downside of occasionally overwhelming the reader with detail. This results in a lengthy biography, coming in at 976 pages, or over 28 hours of listening time. This might be off-putting to those looking for a more concise overview of Eisenhower’s life.
With so much detail placed into the biography, it’s what is missing that catches the reader’s eye. Smith incomprehensibly skips Eisenhower’s visit to Ohrdruf concentration camp in Apri 1945 almost entirely. The reader may not even know this visit happened if it wasn’t for a single picture. It’s an interesting omission considering the impact it had on Eisenhower.
In addition, some have criticized that Smith’s admiration of Eisenhower leads him to tread lightly on topics such as Ike’s role in CIA cover-ups and his mellow response to McCarthyism. This criticism is fair, but Smith does a well-enough job of addressing Eisenhower’s flaws throughout the book to avoid being labeled an Ike apologist.
Final Thoughts
Overall, Eisenhower in War and Peace is an authoritative and engaging biography that provides a rich portrait of one of America’s most influential leaders. Smith’s thorough research and compelling storytelling make this book a valuable read for anyone interested in U.S. history, military leadership, or presidential politics. While the biography has its drawbacks, its strengths far outweigh anything that should keep readers away.
One response to “Eisenhower in War and Peace, a 3-Minute Review”
Keep up the great work! I always love when an HwL email pops up!!