Why Ike is underrated: the book
I’d never read General Eisenhower’s memoir of World War II, Crusade in Europe, partly because no one ever recommended it to me. So I was impressed when I began studying it over the Christmas break. The first half reminded me frequently of Grant’s memoirs, especially the similarly straightforward prose, and I think also the modest ...
I'd never read General Eisenhower's memoir of World War II, Crusade in Europe, partly because no one ever recommended it to me. So I was impressed when I began studying it over the Christmas break. The first half reminded me frequently of Grant's memoirs, especially the similarly straightforward prose, and I think also the modest career expectations. I liked it, and wondered why no one ever steered me toward it.
I’d never read General Eisenhower’s memoir of World War II, Crusade in Europe, partly because no one ever recommended it to me. So I was impressed when I began studying it over the Christmas break. The first half reminded me frequently of Grant’s memoirs, especially the similarly straightforward prose, and I think also the modest career expectations. I liked it, and wondered why no one ever steered me toward it.
Then I got to the second half of the book, around the time of D Day. From then on, I found it much less honest and a whole lot more evasive. Huertgen Forest? A little unpleasantness, nothing to see here. General Montgomery? A fine chap, a little headstrong. The prose also went mushy. This extended softshoe routine, I thought, is why this book is all but forgotten.
Even so, I found the first 200 pages enjoyable and illuminating.
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