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Mandate for Change, 1953-1956: The White House Years
The story of Dwight D. Eisenhower's first administration, told by the 34th president of the United States himself. Here, Eisenhower, one of the major figures of the twentieth century, writes an account of the events, as he saw them, leading up to a sweeping mandate, and then pursues the theme of change in the years 1953 to 1956.
650 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1963
About the author
Dwight D. Eisenhower
169 books113 followersDwight David Eisenhower, born David Dwight Eisenhower, nicknamed "Ike", was a General of the Army (five star general) in the United States Army and U.S. politician, who served as the thirty-fourth President of the United States (1953 – 1961). During the Second World War, he served as Supreme Commander of the Allied forces in Europe, with responsibility for planning and supervising the successful invasion of France and Germany in 1944-45. In 1951, he became the first supreme commander of NATO.
As President, he oversaw the cease-fire of the Korean War, kept up the pressure on the Soviet Union during the Cold War, made nuclear weapons a higher defense priority, launched the Space Race, enlarged the Social Security program, and began the Interstate Highway System.
As President, he oversaw the cease-fire of the Korean War, kept up the pressure on the Soviet Union during the Cold War, made nuclear weapons a higher defense priority, launched the Space Race, enlarged the Social Security program, and began the Interstate Highway System.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
January 4, 2018
Eisenhower actually has a light and smooth style throughout. There is more detail here than I personally desire, but the experience was much more pleasurable than expected.
December 23, 2012
Eisenhower's memoir of his first administration, including his time after WWII when he was recalled to Washington to be the Chief of Staff of the Army, then became President of Columbia University, then headed NATO and finally ran as a Republican in 1952.
As one would expect, there is a heavy accent on foreign policy/military matters in this book. That was Eisenhower's passion and profession for his entire life. He does a good job of alternating chapters between foreign and domestic issues, with some political chapters mixed in as well. Still, the chapters concerning politics or domestic issues (there is one chapter or dams and power plants, for example) definitely are lacking the enthusiasm or interest of the author. In those chapters, I think that Ike felt like he had to include them so that readers would get a balanced portrait of his presidency. I do not fault him for not being as interested in such topics; I simply point out that it does show in the writing.
Throughout the book, he seems to be defending the record of his administration. I really cannot think of anything where he comes out and admits that he was wrong to do, or should not have done. He defended his handling of McCarthy - which I think was wrong. Instead of confronting him head on and using his (Ike's) enormous popularity to force McCarthy to back down, Ike chose to let McCarthy hang himself. The problem with this decision was that many people were subjected to his witch-hunt style Senate investigations and testimonies.
Eisenhower's contempt for Truman is palpable (at the time that this was written, the two former Presidents had not yet reconciled).
The most enlightening parts of the book are when he discusses his close association with Winston Churchill, his process of deciding to run in 1952, and the selection of his Cabinet.
As one would expect, there is a heavy accent on foreign policy/military matters in this book. That was Eisenhower's passion and profession for his entire life. He does a good job of alternating chapters between foreign and domestic issues, with some political chapters mixed in as well. Still, the chapters concerning politics or domestic issues (there is one chapter or dams and power plants, for example) definitely are lacking the enthusiasm or interest of the author. In those chapters, I think that Ike felt like he had to include them so that readers would get a balanced portrait of his presidency. I do not fault him for not being as interested in such topics; I simply point out that it does show in the writing.
Throughout the book, he seems to be defending the record of his administration. I really cannot think of anything where he comes out and admits that he was wrong to do, or should not have done. He defended his handling of McCarthy - which I think was wrong. Instead of confronting him head on and using his (Ike's) enormous popularity to force McCarthy to back down, Ike chose to let McCarthy hang himself. The problem with this decision was that many people were subjected to his witch-hunt style Senate investigations and testimonies.
Eisenhower's contempt for Truman is palpable (at the time that this was written, the two former Presidents had not yet reconciled).
The most enlightening parts of the book are when he discusses his close association with Winston Churchill, his process of deciding to run in 1952, and the selection of his Cabinet.
June 23, 2016
More of a period piece that really good insights into his Presidency. Still, it was like finding something freeze frozen in 1962 when published (anti-communism, the typing pool for speeches, the wonder of TV) that sort of stuff.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews