The Eisenhower Diaries

Robert Ferrell the editor of this book does an excellent job in presenting them, and providing background and context for what often seem disconnected remarks. Ike was not it seems a dedicated diarist but one who on occasion wrote down his thoughts about a particular subject. Most often these related to his work and his future actions. He writes almost nothing about personal, familial matters. One exception to this is when his father dies and he regrets not being able to go home to console his mother. He speaks of his mother as the finest person he has known. He also speaks with great respect about his father and says it was only because of his father's reputation for honesty and integrity that Ike was nominated for West Point. Ike says he wishes he had shown his father more affection. The Diaries begin with Ike in the Phillipines serving under General MacArthur who Ike very much dislikes. Ike has harsh words for a number of people and apparently had small tolerance for fools. The diaries record the period in which Ike is called into major service in planning the Allied Second Front operation in North Africa. They contain his remarks on the preparations made for his greatest achievement the commanding of the Normandy landing, and subsequent War to defeat the Nazis in Europe. The diaries contain little about the actual battles, and a very small amount about the overall history. Nonetheless we get a picture of Ike as a very competent leader, one who knew how to cooperate and work with others, one who was rational and smart, and very clear in his thinking. The sense he gives of himself is not of a fierce angry warrior but rather as a supremely competent manager of men and events. The diaries also cover a period of his post- war political life prior to his running for and winning the Presidency in 1952. The Diaries give a sense of a competent, and decent person one who knew how to get the job done.