Overview

Former deputy director of the Eisenhower Library and Museum dispels rumors, finds the truth behind the myths, and answers the most-asked questions about the thirty-fourth president, offering a picture of Ike as he's never been seen before. Was President Eisenhower really a good cook? What are on those secret Oval Office recordings? Did he really spend his free time painting? Are the rumors of his love affair true? And where did he get the nickname Ike anyway? For Martin Mack Teasley, the former deputy director of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Library and Museum, these questions and thousands of others came across his desk from scholars, journalists, and the American public. In The Real Ike, Teasley answers the most common questions about the major, minor, and obscure parts of President Eisenhower's life. Like a museum curator, Teasley has compiled twenty-five exhibits that give a more well-rounded, humane picture of President Eisenhower than most historians can provide. Drawn from his years of experience in the archives, Teasley illuminates aspects of the thirty-fourth president rarely discussed in textbooks, including Eisenhower's athletic ambitions, his interest in cooking, the question of Roswell and extraterrestrials, Ike's love of painting, his habit for swearing, the rumors of his Black ancestry, and the alleged affair with Kay Summersby. Seasoned scholars and people learning about Ike for the first time alike will find something new to appreciate in this winsome and nuanced book. From the mundane to the scandalous, The Real Ike gives readers a more complete understanding of a pivotal figure in American history.

Full Product Details

9780700641345

Table of Contents

Reviews

""Throughout history, notable leaders and their endeavors have been subject to outsized rumors and sometimes conspiracy theories. Mack Teasley has done a masterful job of turning his attention to Dwight Eisenhower and some 'stories' of him in his time. His book is a concoction of juicy meat, amply spiced with humor and irony. It's authoritative. It's fun. It's a great read.""--Susan Eisenhower ""The Real Ike: Eisenhower Fact and Fiction is a delight--at once a pleasure to read, and a perceptive insight into the life and personality of one of America's greatest presidents. It is also a trustworthy resource written by a supremely qualified historian and archivist. Myths are busted, truths are exposed, and readers are entertained. A must-read!""--Daun van Ee, coeditor of The Papers of Dwight David Eisenhower, 1974-2001 ""Did Dwight D Eisenhower box with Knute Rockney? Did he have an affair with his British driver? Did he cover up evidence of UFOs? The answer to these questions&#8212land more--are to be found in Martin Mack Teasley's breezy, The Real Ike. Teasley is a true Eisenhower expert, having served as the deputy director of the Eisenhower archives, but he also has a good style and a fun sense of humor, making this a useful and informative read about our 34th president.""--Tevi Troy, author of The Power and the Money: The Epic Clashes Between Commanders in Chief and Titans of Industry ""Martin Mack Teasley has written a book that scholars and general readers alike will find absorbing. It is a work of impressive scholarship, it is full of rich anecdotes, and it deals admirably with controversial issues. For anyone with an interest in Eisenhower the person, Eisenhower the president, military history, political history, World War II, or the Cold War, this book is a must-read.""--J. Samuel Walker, author of The Day That Shook America: A Concise History of 9/11 ""This is a remarkably entertaining and informative read on the personal and public life of one of the giants of the 20th century. Having 'lived' with Dwight David Eisenhower for much of his life, Martin Mack Teasley knows what made him tick. Teasley likes Ike, but he does not shy away from controversies surrounding the nation's 34th president, including his relationship with Kay Summersby, his treatment of German POWs, his attitude toward nuclear weapons, and 'Operation Wetback.' I highly recommend this insightful book on the man 'who came from the heart of America' and changed the course of history.""--Stephen F. Knott, author of Coming to Terms with John F. Kennedy ""A treasure trove of Eisenhoweriana, providing fresh perspective on Dwight Eisenhower's public career, private life, and the qualities that defined him. The Real Ike belongs on a short shelf of essential works about Eisenhower and his times.""--Michael J. Birkner, coeditor of Democracy's Shield: Voices of World War II ""Martin Mack Teasley brings his varied and extensive experience to bear in this delightful volume. The Real Ike provides intimate detail, corrects misconceptions, and presents lesser-known facts about the nation's 34th president. Timely and entertaining, this book illuminates the important role of presidential libraries, reminds us of Eisenhower's centrality in significant events, and evokes an important era of US history.""--Mary E. Stuckey, author of For the Enjoyment of the People: The Creation of National Identity in American Public Lands

Author Information

Martin Mack Teasley, now retired, spent thirty-five years at the Eisenhower Foundation and Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library. Previously he was director of the Boston Federal Archives and Records Center. Teasley served as a US Air Force intelligence officer on active duty and in the reserves, retiring as a colonel.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available