Overview

In this debut history from one of America’s most influential political journalists, Bret Baier casts the three days between Dwight Eisenhower’s prophetic “farewell address” on the evening of January 17, 1961, and his successor John F. Kennedy’s inauguration on the afternoon of January 20 as the final mission of one of modern America’s greatest leaders. As president, the former Supreme Commander of Allied Forces during World War II successfully guided the country out of war in Korea, through the apocalyptic threat of nuclear war with Russia, and into one of the greatest economic booms in world history. In this last address to the nation, Eisenhower looked to the future, warning Americans against the dangers of elevating partisanship above national interest, excessive government budgets (particularly deficit spending), the expansion of the military-industrial complex, and the creeping political power of special interests. Baier explores the many ways these visionary words continue to resonate today; he also explains how Ike embodied the qualities of political leadership that the country is urgently hungering for at the present. Seeking to prepare a new generation for power, Eisenhower intensely advised the forty-three-year-old Kennedy in the intervening time between the speech and the inauguration. Dwight Eisenhower left the public stage at the end of these three days in January 1961 having done more than perhaps any other modern American to set the nation “on our charted course toward permanent peace and human betterment.” Despite their differences in party affiliation, President Kennedy would continue to seek his predecessor’s advice and counsel during his time in office. Five decades later, Baier’s Three Days in January illuminates how Eisenhower, an under-appreciated giant of U.S. history, still offers vital lessons for our own time.

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9780062644138

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Reviews

Bret Baier has written a great book about a great president... and the lessons in leadership that Ike offers to today s era of polarization and gridlock. --Clarence Page, Pulitzer Prize-winning syndicated <i>Chicago Tribune</i> columnist

Bret Baier s <i>Three Days in January</i> brilliantly illuminates the genius and intrigue behind Eisenhower s historic Farewell Address. Written with verve and deeply researched, Baier ably dissects fact from myth. A landmark achievement in U.S. presidential history. --Douglas Brinkley, <i>New York Times</i> bestselling author of <i>Cronkite</i>

Bret Baier has given history a great gift: a riveting account of Dwight Eisenhower s determination to call on his vast experience to prepare America for the perils of the new war--the cold war. --Tom Brokaw

Brings new relevance to Eisenhower s parting message. ... A focused and timely study of Eisenhower s significant speech and the sticky transition to JFK s inherited new world. --Kirkus Reviews

Vital lessons for our time. ... Powerful and enlightening, Three Days in January sheds light on a little-known Eisenhower. --The Costco Connection

Magnificently rendered, Bret Baier s Three Days in January is destined to take its place as not only one of the masterworks on Eisenhower, but as one of the classics of presidential history. Impeccably researched, the book is nothing short of extraordinary. What a triumph! --JAY WINIK, <i>New York Times</i> best-selling author of <i>April 1865</i> and <i>1944</i>

Author Information

Bret Baier is the Chief Political Anchor for Fox News Channel and the Anchor and Executive Editor of Special Report with Bret Baier, seen five days a week on Fox News Channel. He has previously served Fox News as Chief White House Correspondent, and as National Security Correspondent based at the Pentagon. He has reported from seventy-four countries, and has reported from Iraq twelve times and Afghanistan thirteen times. He is also the author of the New York Times bestseller Special Heart: A Journey of Faith, Hope, Courage and Love. He lives with his family in Washington, D.C. Catherine Whitney is the New York Times bestselling coauthor of more than fifty books. She lives in New York.

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