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Biographies

By Self Publishing Titans
The Age of Eisenhower: America and the World in the 1950s

The Age of Eisenhower: America and the World in the 1950s

by William I. Hitchcock

4.6 (543 ratings)
Biographies

Published

March 20, 2018

Pages

673 pages

Language

English

Publisher

Simon & Schuster

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$1.99

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$12.82

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$13.49

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About This Book

The New York Times –bestselling biography: a “complete and powerful assessment” of Dwight D. Eisenhower’s presidency ( Booklist , starred review). Drawing on newly declassified documents and thousands of pages of unpublished material, The Age of Eisenhower tells the story of a masterful president guiding the nation through the great crises of the 1950s, from McCarthyism and the Korean War through civil rights turmoil and Cold War conflicts.

This is a portrait of a skilled leader who, despite his conservative inclinations, found a middle path through the bitter partisanship of his era. At home, Eisenhower affirmed the central elements of the New Deal, such as Social Security; fought the demagoguery of Senator Joseph McCarthy; and advanced the agenda of civil rights for African-Americans. Abroad, he ended the Korean War and avoided a new quagmire in Vietnam.

Yet he also charted a significant expansion of America’s missile technology and deployed a vast array of covert operations around the world to confront the challenge of communism. As he left office, he cautioned Americans to remain alert to the dangers of a powerful military-industrial complex that could threaten their liberties. Today, presidential historians rank Eisenhower fifth on the list of great presidents, and William Hitchcock’s “rich narrative” shows us why Ike’s stock has risen so high.

He was a gifted leader, a decent man of humble origins who used his powers to advance the welfare of all Americans ( The Wall Street Journal ).

Introduction

In the midst of the Cold War, the 1950s marked a pivotal decade in shaping the trajectory of modern America and world politics. At the helm was Dwight D. Eisenhower, whose leadership style and policies significantly influenced the course of history.

"The Age of Eisenhower: America and the World in the 1950s" delves into this transformative era, offering an insightful account of Eisenhower's presidency and the complex geopolitical landscape. This book captures a time of paradoxes, marked by economic prosperity and cultural upheavals amidst the looming threat of nuclear war, providing a nuanced understanding of how the 1950s cast long shadows over the decades to come.

Key Takeaways

Eisenhower's presidency balanced national security with economic growth during a period of intense international tensions. The 1950s was a dynamic decade that laid the groundwork for technological advancements and social changes in America. Eisenhower's leadership style blended military strategy with diplomatic finesse to navigate the complexities of global politics.

Detailed Description

The Age of Eisenhower" offers a comprehensive examination of the United States during a decade defined by both unprecedented challenges and opportunities. As Cold War anxieties gripped the nation Eisenhower\'s presidency fostered a climate of cautious optimism through his pragmatic approach to governance. This book intricately details Eisenhower's strategies revealing his deft navigation of domestic and international crises that demanded both military might and diplomatic insight.

Under his leadership America not only fortified its defense systems but also witnessed substantial economic and technological growth. Amidst the Red Scare and McCarthyism cultural and social transformations unfolded forging a complex tapestry of change and continuity. Eisenhower's presidency exemplified the balancing act between asserting American power globally and spearheading initiatives domestically that would influence generations.

The narrative sheds light on the interventions in Korea and the Middle East highlighting Eisenhower's foreign policy which steered the U.S. away from direct confrontation with the Soviet Union while expanding its influence. This period also underscored the burgeoning Civil Rights Movement and its profound impact on the nation's socio-political landscape.

By exploring the intricate details of this decisive decade The Age of Eisenhower" engages readers with a compelling analysis of how Eisenhower\'s leadership molded America’s path in an increasingly complex world echoing its effects well beyond his administration.

Standout Features

This book distinguishes itself through meticulous research and an engaging narrative style that brings the complex intricacies of the Eisenhower era to life It provides readers with an uncommon depth of understanding into an often-overlooked yet critical period of American history By exploring Eisenhower's multifaceted leadership the book captures the essence of a leader juggling myriad challenges offering insights into his decision-making processes which provide valuable lessons for contemporary governance The author combines historical context with anecdotal evidence to create a vivid picture of the 1950s making the book both an academic resource and an intriguing read for history enthusiasts eager to understand the past's tangible impact on the present world.

Book Details

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Specifications

Pages:673 pages
Language:English
Published:March 20, 2018
Publisher:Simon & Schuster
Authors:William I. Hitchcock

Rating

4.6

Based on 543 ratings

Customer Reviews

Ike Rules

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Christian Schlect
March 26, 2018

A good policy history, one especially strong on foreign relations, for America in the 1950s and very early '60s as influenced or directed by Dwight Eisenhower. While Professor Hitchcock points out several flaws and failures in leadership (such as being weak on the moral issue of institutional racism or the errors in handling the U-2 spy plane crisis), Eisenhower is positively portrayed here as more active, thoughtful, and effective than often credited with at the time or over the decades immediately following his departure from the White House. He made many good calls and ran a fundamentally honest administration. Much happened in the time when Eisenhower was making the big decisions during the Cold War and the decolonization of the Third World; a book such as this helps one appreciate that it was not just TV westerns, lemonade, and baseball immediately prior to the agitated and rebellious 1960s.

A lot going on behind the scenes in the Eisenhower Era

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K. Johnson
June 25, 2018

Very readable, no confusion, doesn't get lost in dates and names, political opinions or policy commentary. I was surprised how much I didn't know or of which I had too simplified of knowledge. As a teenager this history was ongoing for me so it was not a part of my American history curriculum. I am much clearer on USA domestic and international history because of this book. It is a page turner, informs but doesn't dwell. The age of Eisenhower was not a bland, boring, did-nothing era - not the happy days that is the general description of those years between 1952-1960. Last chapter is interesting about the transition to JFK, from a 70 year old to a 43 year old. This book was not a biography or memoir, it was the historical events, backgrounds, actions, and consequences; at least to me a lot of inside or otherwise not generally disclosed information. After reading this book, you'll change your opinion that Eisenhower spent most of his time on the golf course or playing bridge. I would recommend to any history buff, it is not one-sided nor a propaganda piece. A lot of what occurred or was done/not done would have been more transparent and publicly debated in today's world. After WW2 people wanted peace and calm, but in fact that was not the case behind the scenes of this historical time.

The Father of the Fifties

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LynnS77
March 18, 2024

I know that my title may seem a little disrespectful for a man who not only led American and Allied forces to victory in WWII, but also through a successful two term presidency. The 50s was the father knows best era, and Dwight D. Eisenhower led us safely through the reconstruction of Europe even after WWII and then America overwhelmingly desired his care over our nation. It was repeated over and over throughout this book that Eisenhower was a lonely man, for as much as he often sought the wise counsel of the people he chose for his cabinet, it was his own counsel he ultimately relied upon along with with prayer. Eisenhower was certainly everything America wanted in their heroes of the time, he was humble and yet as home in a fine club or ballroom as he was in stable or the barracks with recovering troops. He was plain spoken,meet well educated and had a thorough understanding of economics and the working of the government machine and how its wheels turned… to include who he needed to grease them. This was a fascinating biography, mostly of Eisenhower’s time in the White House and the challenges he faced there. Eisenhower wasn’t a big believer in showing all the workings of diplomacy and how the sausage was made so to speak, and allowed the American people to feel like government was primarily running smoothly with little or no intervention required. Of course, all the work Ike did in the background to make American’s safe was used against him by his replacement in years to come. J. F. Kennedy suggested that Eisenhower’s mode of governing was old and unengaged which couldn’t have been further from the truth. William I Hitchcock did a wonderful job of laying out the facts without bias, and this was certainly not a fan’s account of a presidency. There are both lauds and criticisms in relatively equal measure, but perhaps more criticism which makes the lauds mean more to me. A great deal happened in the eight years Eisenhower was president and it set us up for the intelligence apparatus we have today, and I believe it could be said that Eisenhower changed America for the good. This was Avery detailed, if anything too detailed biography that is both fascinating and perhaps important for scholars of American Civics. 4 1/2 stars and I only took of a half for excessive wordiness.