Overview

Acclaimed author and managing director of The Times Literary Supplement, James MacManus, creates a compelling historical novel that brings to life an unbelievable but true love story set during the Second World War. In 1942, Cork-born Kay Summersby's life is changed forever when she is tasked with driving General Eisenhower on his fact-finding visit to wartime London. Despite Eisenhower's marriage to Mamie, the pair takes an immediate liking to one another and he gifts Kay a rare wartime luxury: a box of chocolates. So begins a tumultuous relationship that against all military regulation sees Kay travelling with Eisenhower on missions to far flung places before the final assault on Nazi Germany. She becomes known as ""Ike's shadow"" and in letters Mamie bemoans his new obsession with 'Ireland'. That does not stop him from using his influence to grant Kay US citizenship and rank in the US army, drawing her closer when he returns to America. When the US authorities discover Eisenhower's plans to divorce from his wife they threaten the fragile but passionate affair and Kay is forced to take desperate measures to hold onto the man she loves...

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9780715652954

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Reviews

'Ike and Kay sets the backdrop for an important time in history . . . [and] brings to life controversial romances and characters that shaped world history during the twentieth century' * Buzzfeed * 'Offers a convincing picture of three crucial years of the Second World War and a devastating account of the culture in which male entitlement to sexual and emotional comfort was a given.' * TLS * 'The fascinating dramatisation of the true story of a secret love affair that contributed to the Allied victory during World War II... a deeply emotional read.' * Daily Mail * 'Thoroughly researched' * Irish Independent * 'MacManus has shown his ability to take the facts of a famous life and mould them into highly readable fiction.... [his] recreation of an affair conducted in the shadow of world-changing events successfully combines intimacy with an awareness of the wider picture.' * The Sunday Times * 'In Ike and Kay, James MacManus has captured the powerful and little-known relationship between General Eisenhower and his Irish driver Kay Summersby during and just after the Second World War. With keen eye for historical detail and strong narrative voice, MacManus has expertly and artfully painted an intimate, authentic portrait of love, duty and sacrifice against the backdrop of the greatest events of the 20th century. Masterful!' -- Pam Jenoff author of The Orphan's Tale 'An epic piece of historical fiction... the danger of war and the uncertainty of survival is conveyed through MacManus's in-depth research... a relatable, and compelling story.' * The Lady * 'A cracking wartime romance; sensitively and engagingly told' -- Roger Moorhouse, author of Berlin at War

‘MacManus has shown his ability to take the facts of a famous life and mould them into highly readable fiction…. [his] recreation of an affair conducted in the shadow of world-changing events successfully combines intimacy with an awareness of the wider picture’ Sunday Times ‘The fascinating dramatisation of the true story of a secret love affair that contributed to the Allied victory during World War II... a deeply emotional read’ Daily Mail ‘Offers a convincing picture of three crucial years of the Second World War and a devastating account of the culture in which male entitlement to sexual and emotional comfort was a given’ TLS 'A cracking wartime romance; sensitively and engagingly told' Roger Moorhouse, author of Berlin at War 'An epic piece of historical fiction... the danger of war and the uncertainty of survival is conveyed through MacManus's in-depth research... a relatable, and compelling story' The Lady 'In Ike and Kay, James MacManus has captured the powerful and little-known relationship between General Eisenhower and his Irish driver Kay Summersby during and just after the Second World War. With keen eye for historical detail and strong narrative voice, MacManus has expertly and artfully painted an intimate, authentic portrait of love, duty and sacrifice against the backdrop of the greatest events of the 20th century. Masterful!' Pam Jenoff author of The Orphan's Tale ‘Thoroughly researched’ Irish Independent ‘Ike and Kay sets the backdrop for an important time in history... [and] brings to life controversial romances and characters that shaped world history during the twentieth century’ Buzzfeed

'Ike and Kay sets the backdrop for an important time in history . . . [and] brings to life controversial romances and characters that shaped world history during the twentieth century' * Buzzfeed * 'Offers a convincing picture of three crucial years of the Second World War and a devastating account of the culture in which male entitlement to sexual and emotional comfort was a given.' * TLS * 'The fascinating dramatisation of the true story of a secret love affair that contributed to the Allied victory during World War II... a deeply emotional read.' * Daily Mail * 'Thoroughly researched' * Irish Independent * 'MacManus has shown his ability to take the facts of a famous life and mould them into highly readable fiction.... [his] recreation of an affair conducted in the shadow of world-changing events successfully combines intimacy with an awareness of the wider picture.' * The Sunday Times * 'In Ike and Kay, James MacManus has captured the powerful and little-known relationship between General Eisenhower and his Irish driver Kay Summersby during and just after the Second World War. With keen eye for historical detail and strong narrative voice, MacManus has expertly and artfully painted an intimate, authentic portrait of love, duty and sacrifice against the backdrop of the greatest events of the 20th century. Masterful!' -- Pam Jenoff author of The Orphan's Tale 'An epic piece of historical fiction... the danger of war and the uncertainty of survival is conveyed through MacManus's in-depth research... a relatable, and compelling story.' * The Lady * 'A cracking wartime romance; sensitively and engagingly told' -- Roger Moorhouse, author of Berlin at War

Author Information

James MacManus is the managing director of The Times Literary Supplement. After studying at St Andrews University he began his career in journalism at the Daily Express in Manchester. Joining The Guardian in 1972, he later became Paris, and then Africa and Middle East Correspondent. He is the author of several novels including On the Broken Shore, Black Venus, Sleep in Peace Tonight and Midnight in Berlin. James MacManus has three children and lives in Dulwich, London.

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