Eisenhower in War and Peace

Jean Edward Smith's biography "Eisenhower: In War and Peace" stands as a comprehensive examination of one of America's most consequential twentieth-century figures. Published in 2012, this substantial work spans over 900 pages and offers readers an exhaustive account of Dwight D. Eisenhower's journey from his humble Kansas origins to his roles as Supreme Allied Commander and two-term President of the United States.

Smith, an acclaimed biographer whose previous subjects included Ulysses S. Grant and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, brings his considerable expertise to bear on Eisenhower's complex life. The biography distinguishes itself through its methodical approach to both the military and political phases of Eisenhower's career, giving equal weight to each period rather than treating the presidency as merely an epilogue to wartime achievements.

The narrative begins with Eisenhower's childhood in Abilene, Kansas, where he grew up in modest circumstances. Smith traces the future general's education at West Point and his frustratingly slow rise through the peacetime military ranks. This early section illuminates the formative experiences that shaped Eisenhower's character, including his athletic endeavors, his marriage to Mamie Doud, and his service under various commanders who would influence his leadership philosophy.

The Second World War sections form the heart of the military narrative. Smith provides detailed accounts of Eisenhower's selection as Supreme Commander of Allied Forces in Europe, his management of Operation Overlord, and the challenging coalition politics that defined the Allied effort. The biography examines Eisenhower's relationships with key figures including Winston Churchill, Franklin Roosevelt, George Marshall, Bernard Montgomery, and George Patton. Smith presents Eisenhower as a skilled diplomat and strategist whose greatest strength lay in managing diverse personalities and maintaining Allied unity despite significant tensions.

Smith challenges certain criticisms that have been leveled at Eisenhower's military decisions, including debates about the broad-front strategy versus Montgomery's narrow-thrust approach, and the controversial decision not to race Soviet forces to Berlin. The author presents these choices within their full strategic and political context, offering a more nuanced understanding of the constraints and considerations that influenced wartime decision-making.

The transition to Eisenhower's political career receives thorough treatment. Smith chronicles the general's reluctance to enter politics, his eventual embrace of the Republican Party, and the 1952 presidential campaign that ended twenty years of Democratic control of the White House. The biography examines Eisenhower's governing philosophy, which emphasized fiscal conservatism, limited federal intervention, and a middle path between isolationism and interventionism in foreign affairs.

The presidential years are analyzed across multiple dimensions. Smith addresses Eisenhower's approach to the Cold War, including his handling of the Korean War's conclusion, his response to Soviet challenges, and his articulation of the domino theory regarding communist expansion. The biography explores domestic achievements including the Interstate Highway System, one of the largest infrastructure projects in American history, and examines Eisenhower's complicated relationship with Senator Joseph McCarthy during the Red Scare period.

Civil rights represents one of the more contentious aspects of Eisenhower's legacy, and Smith addresses this topic directly. The biography discusses the president's role in the desegregation of schools, particularly the crisis at Little Rock Central High School where Eisenhower deployed federal troops to enforce integration. Smith presents a measured assessment of Eisenhower's civil rights record, acknowledging both his actions and his limitations within the political context of the 1950s.

Throughout the biography, Smith draws on extensive archival research, including personal correspondence, official documents, and oral histories. The author's access to primary sources lends authority to his narrative and allows for fresh insights into well-documented events. The prose remains accessible despite the scholarly foundation, making complex military and political matters comprehensible to general readers.

Smith's portrait reveals an Eisenhower who was more intellectually engaged and politically astute than the detached, golf-playing figure sometimes portrayed in popular memory. The biography demonstrates how Eisenhower's management style, which often involved working behind the scenes and delegating authority, led contemporaries to underestimate his control over events. This reassessment aligns with broader historical scholarship that has elevated Eisenhower's reputation in recent decades.

The biography succeeds in presenting Eisenhower as a consequential leader whose decisions shaped the post-war world order. Smith's comprehensive approach provides readers with a detailed understanding of both the public achievements and private dimensions of Eisenhower's life, creating a balanced portrait that acknowledges both strengths and shortcomings. For those seeking a thorough, single-volume treatment of Eisenhower's life and times, this biography represents a significant contribution to presidential and military history.