Overview
America's thirty-fourth president and the Supreme Commander of the Allied forces during World War II, Dwight D. Eisenhower learned as a boy in rural Kansas that it was best to approach life's challenges from a position of strength.Ike, as he was called first by his family and later by the nation, began his life-long military career as a cadet at West Point. After years of slow advancement in the peacetime army, he emerged during the early months of World War II as the officer most capable of leading the fight against the Nazis. After overseeing victorious campaigns in North Africa and Italy, Ike planned the D-Day invasion of June 6, 1944. After the war, his immense popularity kept him from the retirement he had planned. In 1952, he was elected the first Republican president in two decades. During the Eisenhower Administration, the United States entered the space race, began the long march toward civil rights, and started development of the nation's interstate highway system. Dwight D. Eisenhower: Soldier and President will be of interest to any young reader who wants to know more about the life story of one of America's most important leaders of the last century.
Synopsis
America's thirty-fourth president and the Supreme Commander of the Allied forces during World War II, Dwight D. Eisenhower learned as a boy in rural Kansas that it was best to approach life's challenges from a position of strength.
Ike, as he was called first by his family and later by the nation, began his life-long military career as a cadet at West Point. After years of slow advancement in the peacetime army, he emerged during the early months of World War II as the officer most capable of leading the fight against the Nazis. After overseeing victorious campaigns in North Africa and Italy, Ike planned the D-Day invasion of June 6, 1944. After the war, his immense popularity kept him from the retirement he had planned. In 1952, he was elected the first Republican president in two decades. During the Eisenhower Administration, the United States entered the space race, began the long march toward civil rights, and started development of the nation's interstate highway system. Dwight D. Eisenhower: Soldier and President will be of interest to any young reader who wants to know more about the life story of one of America's most important leaders of the last century.
Children's Literature
Many situations could have been different in Dwight D. Eisenhower's life and changed the course of history. Unique circumstances played a role in getting him to the position of general in World War II and finally to the 34th presidency. What if his leg had been amputated when he contracted blood poisoning in high school? Fortunately, his brother, Edgar, refused to let the doctor into his room. Another time, Dwight was working to allow Edgar to attend college, but a friend asked him to take the U.S. Naval Academy exam. Even though he placed first, Dwight was too old to enter the Academy. Fortunately, he had a second option—West Point, and, fortunately, the top candidate failed his physical. Events like talking with his mother about controlling his temper, or using a stick to subdue a goose, or his humiliation after hazing a younger classmate, also contributed to how he later acted as general, president and world leader. The book, which is a part of the "Notable Americans" series, deals with his childhood, university life, days as a soldier and commander, and finally his terms as president. Antidotes plus historical facts make the book interesting and easy to read. 2001, Morgan Reynolds, $20.95. Ages 11 to 16. Reviewer:Janet L. Rose