Eisenhower in War and Peace

By: Jean Edward Smith

Narrated by: Paul Hecht

Length: 28 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

Author of the best-seller FDR, Jean Edward Smith is a master of the presidential biography. Setting his sights on Dwight D. Eisenhower, Smith delivers a rich account of Eisenhower’s life using previously untapped primary sources. From the military service in WWII that launched his career to the shrewd political decisions that kept America out of wars with the Soviet Union and China, Smith reveals a man who never faltered in his dedication to serving America, whether in times of war or peace.

©2012 Jean Edward Smith (P)2012 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

“Always engrossing . . . Smith describes a man who commanded the largest coalition army in history without grandiloquent posturing . . . leaving office more popular than any successor. . . . Smith portrays a genuinely admirable Eisenhower: smart, congenial, unpretentious, and no ideologue. Despite competing biographies from Ambrose, Perret, and D’Este, this is the best.” ( Publishers Weekly, starred review)

“Dwight Eisenhower, who was more cunning than he allowed his adversaries to know, understood the advantage of being underestimated. Jean Edward Smith refutes this durable misunderstanding. Smith, America’s greatest living biographer, demonstrates why, now more than ever, Americans should like Ike.” (George F. Will)

“Jean Smith, indubitably America’s most distinguished biographer, has now produced the classic life of Dwight Eisenhower…Here he comes alive on every page—the beneficiary of the exhausting fresh research this handsomely written book is based upon. When the General died, Mamie, his lifelong wife, allowed that she never fully knew her famous husband. No reader of Smith’s work will render the same complaint.” (Henry F. Graff, Professor Emeritus of History, Columbia University)

I like Ike and I like this biography

The story of President Eisenhower's life was unknown to me until I aquired this book. I knew he was the WWII Supreme Commander, but did not understand what that meant. I knew he was President, but not of his presidential record. This book does a great job of filling all that in. The author also does not overly embellish or lionize the man, either. The main themes are that Eisenhower was of humble origins, lucky, of integrity, and fallible. the last quality was surprising to learn, but also inspiring. It was facinating to learn that Eisenhower was not an especially good or natural military commander in the field, but was a very good military international coordinator and even politician. Another failing was his long wartime romance. Yet he was able to be very sucessful in all his endeavors by combining his assets with the recognition of his defects. The author has created a really good read or "listen" by weaving in all the details without being too tedious.
The orator had good pace and was able to alter his delivery only slightly, yet sufficiently, to distinguish between different voices in the story without actually altering his pitch or accent. A good talent. I had started another Eisenhower bio before this one but had to put it down before two chapters due to the harshness of another orators delivery, so I was quite pleased that this offering had a good actor.

Grab this book, learn some history, and be inspired by a man with common beginnings and uncommon leadership. This characteristic in our government today is so rare, it makes you want to cry. But instead, you will be humbled, and entertained.

Exceptional, balanced audiobook. A must listen.

I had been looking forward to this book for a while because I love the history of WWII and a huge fan of George Marshall. This book is exceptional and thoroughly goes through the entire life of Ike, all the while being very open about the good decisions and traits of Ike and the not so good. I really appreciated the fairness this book seemed to give about an almost "godlike" figure that is his legend. He made many mistakes and didn't always treat everyone as good as he should have (Truman and Marshall for example) but at the core of his character tried to be an honest, fair, moral, consistent person. There were times that he made mistakes, D Day was not planned well, his long affair, disrespect of Truman at Ike's inauguration, U2 scandal, etc... but his triumphs were huge for our nation and the world -- D Day though fraught with bad planning was successful, Korean war treaty, Little Rock AR and keeping the world out of WWIII and nuclear / atomic weapon not being used again. For all of his successes we are all thankful that he was in charge at the time.

This book hits all those incidents well and you will be happy that you read / listened to this book. For any history buffs this is a must read. The narration was good, an easy listen.

A Triumphal Biography

As a WWII history buff, I was drawn to this biography by a recommendation from a close friend. The facts themselves are compelling. Add the deft skill of an immensely talented writer and the engaging narration of Paul Hecht and you have a Pulitzer Prize worthy Audible listen. The author has combed through earlier biographical writings ( giving credit where due) but added new and very interesting stories and events not available until recently. He is free with his assessment of practically every decision or non decision attributed to IKE” from his prewar years through WW II and through the presidential years of 1952-1960. This is refreshing most of the time but now and then off-putting. Especially when the author forgets to lay before the listener all of the facts upon which the writer has relied. After finishing the book I immediately bought the two memoirs written by Kay Somersby, Eisenhower’s driver, aide de camp, gal Friday and close companion. I was saddened to read a few days ago that the author, Jean Edward Smith had died on September 1st.

insight into Eisenhower

I appreciated the chance to learn more about the president is had thought of as being rather bland. he was anything but bland and more intellectual than I realized.

I like Ike

Great book and inclusive of his failures and unique leadership! Highly recommend this book as historic, insightful and worthwhile.

It seems Eisenhower is responsible for avoidingWW3

What made the experience of listening to Eisenhower in War and Peace the most enjoyable?

The reader has a great voice, and there was a great mix of personal and historical context that kept me engaged

What was one of the most memorable moments of Eisenhower in War and Peace?

The events leading to D Day

What about Paul Hecht’s performance did you like?

Vocal tone and inflection were a perfect match to the character he was describing.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

When he rejected recommendations by cabinet members and members of Congress to Use nukes in Vitenam

FIVE STARS IN MANY WAYS

His guidance steered our victory in WW2. He befriended Charles de Gaulle and served as an popular president. The memoir he authored brought memories of an extraordinary chapter in our national history. This is much less than full.

Excellent

Truly great book — engaging, detailed, and easy to listen to and follow. Definitely would recommend.

Enjoyable listen for the casual interest

Not too deep in detail, history scholars would be disappointed but perfect for your average joe.

A decent man, a model leader

Every president, every great person has flaws. But some still rise to a level where their flaws are outweighed by their assets. Jean Edward Smith portrays Dwight David Eisenhower in a conscientious and engaging manner. We see both the cold and calculating side, along with the warm, ethical, and responsible citizen leader.

Smith makes good assessments of how Eisenhower came to his divergent responses to the intervention in Iran and Guatemala (interventions we are still paying for today in myriad and painful ways).

After listening to the end of the war in Europe twice, I did not find a reference to Eisenhower's response to the Holocaust. To seeing the death camps. In his book Crusade in Europe (pp. 408-9) he mentions the profound impact this had on him and the importance he felt of getting independent reporters to document what he'd seen lest people dismiss the Nazi atrocities as "war propaganda". He says, "I sent communications to both Washington and London, urging the two governments to send instantly to Germany a random group of newspaper editors and representative groups from the national legislatures. I felt that the evidence should be immediately placed before the American and British publics in a fashion that would leave no room for cynical doubt." Perhaps I missed it, but if I did after listening twice to the chapter, it must be very brief reference in deed.

In reading this book I feel like I have a more complete impression of the man and his driving principles. He was a honorable and good and a model for what a responsible and temperate president of a democratic republic should be. Despite having a life-long career in the decidedly non-democratic institution of the Armed Services, he understood at his core the importance of upholding democratic, civic institutions and the rule of law.