Review of "Encyclopedia of Presidents: Dwight D. Eisenhower," by Jim Hargrove

Review of

Encyclopedia of Presidents: Dwight D. Eisenhower, by Jim Hargrove ISBN 0516013890

Five out of five stars

 This book is an excellent historical record of the life of President Dwight (Ike) Eisenhower that is written for the young reader. Ike was arguably the third most consequential person to occupy the presidency, (after Washington and Lincoln) based on what he did before he ran for the office. Eisenhower was the Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Europe, the man that oversaw the planning of  the D-Day invasion that succeeded in establishing an Allied beachhead on Europe. He proved to be a consummate political smoother, keeping the colossal egos of the Generals, lesser officers and government leaders focused on the issues at hand. Some of the most fascinating and disturbing historical reading describes the clash of personalities among people such as British Field Marshall Bernard Montgomery  and French General Charles de Gaulle.

 Ike’s entire life is covered, from his birth and boyhood in Kansas, through his school years, life at West Point and the first years of his military career. Even though the book title emphasizes his role as President of the United States, less than twenty pages are devoted to what he did as President. The book is more biography than a general history.