by Bruce Catton
First published 1969
Dwight Eisenhower stands before maps of Nazi-occupied Europe, weighing decisions that will determine the fate of millions. As Supreme Allied Commander, he must balance the demands of Churchill, Stalin, and Roosevelt while coordinating the largest military operation in history. The pressure mounts as D-Day approaches and political tensions threaten to fracture the alliance. After victory in Europe, Eisenhower faces new challenges as he transitions from military hero to university president and eventually to the White House. His Kansas roots and steady temperament guide him through the complexities of Cold War politics and domestic upheaval. The boy from Abilene discovers that leading a nation in peacetime requires different skills than commanding armies in war. This portrait reveals how a career soldier became the face of American optimism in an uncertain age.
Genres: biography, history, 20th-century, american, military-history, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: historical-fiction, political-thriller
Setting: Europe, Abilene
Period: World War II, Cold War
144 pages · Hardcover · American Heritage Magazine