Crusade in Europe [Paperback]

Dwight David Eisenhower (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 6, 1997

Five-star General Dwight D. Eisenhower was arguably the single most important military figure of World War II. For many historians, his memoirs of this eventful period of U.S. history have become the single most important record of the war. Crusade in Europe tells the complete story of the war as Eisenhower planned and lived it. Through his eyes, the enormous scope and drama of the war—strategy, battles, moments of fateful decision—become fully illuminated in all their fateful glory.

Yet this is also a warm and richly human account. Ike recalls the long months of waiting, planning, and working toward victory in Europe. His personal record of the tense first hours after he had issued the order to attack—and there was no turning back—leaves no doubt of Eisenhower's travail and reveals this great man in ways that no biographer has ever surpassed.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This audio version of Eisenhower's World War II experiences is a long but exciting and intriguing memoir. Reader Michael Prichard's pleasant voice adds to the experience of learning about the war from the perspective of one of its chief participants - the Supreme Allied Commander. As commander of the European Theater of Operations, Eisenhower knew firsthand what he was up against, and he shares his feelings here. His personal accounts of military tactics; his reaction to victory and defeat on the battlefield; his political dealings with other allied commanders and politicos; and his relationship with his own staff - including the colorful and controversial George S. Patton - are just some of the areas the listener is exposed to in this comprehensive work. There is also D-Day, the African campaign, the invasion of Italy, and the brutal battles in the Ardennes. Libraries with large audio collections serving history and World War II buffs may want to consider this expensive but quality audiobook. - Steven J. Mayover, formerly with Free Lib. of Philadelphia
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

Lifting examples or trying to quote from this brilliant account is almost like tearing threads from the Bayeaux tapestry in order to analzyze its beauty... Rich in lessons and satisfaction for soldiers, statesman, and plain citizens of every country.

(Commonweal )

This non-ghost-written book is as simple and as forthright as the innumerable admirers of its author have every right to expect it would be.

(New York Herald Tribune Weekly Book Review )

Eisenhower gives the reader true insight into the most difficult part of a commander's life.

(New York Times )

[A]n orderly, objective, well-documented account of the war in Western Europe.

(Saturday Review of Literature )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 608 pages
• Publisher: The Johns Hopkins University Press; Johns Hopkins Ppbk Ed. 1997 edition (June 6, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080185668X
• ISBN-13: 978-0801856686
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 1.5 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #226,520 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #10 in Books > Biographies & Memoirs > People, A-Z > ( E ) > Eisenhower, Dwight D.

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gem Of A Memoir September 5, 2005

By James Gallen VINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback

"Crusade In Europe" is General Eisenhower's memoir of the period from the early days of World War II, during which America waited for its involvement to begin, through the early post-war dealings with our erstwhile allies. As the premier figure among the Western Allies, his story and observations are crucial to an understanding of the Great Crusade.

Ike takes the reader along with him through each stage of the Crusade. We view events from a perspective which lets us see aspects which we otherwise might have missed. Having attracted attention for his performance in Army maneuvers in Louisiana in 1940, Ike was called to Washington immediately after Pearl Harbor because of his recent experience in the Philippines. He was immediately assigned to work on plans for the Pacific. At this point the reader is reminded that, in contrast to the later Germany First Policy, the American public, for a time, screamed for revenge on Japan before dealing with Germany.

Assigned to command Operation Torch, the invasion of French North Africa in 1942, Ike was charged with obtaining Allied Cooperation and was plunged into the morass of French politics. The disappointing involvement with Gen. Giraud presented an intra-allied problem, as did cooperation of Adm. Darlan, who while too helpful to rebuff, brought with him the stigma of association with a collaborator. The age-old Arab-Jewish hostility further complicated the administration of the liberated territory.

With North Africa cleared out, Ike was charged with the conquest of Sicily. Management of the Patton-Montgomery rivalry was a major challenge of the campaign. Success having been achieved, the Patton slapping incident forced Ike to reprimand a close friend while threatening to deprive him of one of his most effective Army commanders.

Speculation that Ike would return to the Washington as Chief Of Staff while Gen. Marshall commanded Overlord, the invasion of Europe, distracted Ike's attention from problems at hand. Ike's eventual appointment to command Overlord forced him to leave the Mediterranean while the Italian campaign was still in doubt. Upon arrival in England he immediately switched gears to plan the size, timing, supply and location of the invasion of France.

With the invasion ashore, Ike skillfully managed his coalition of impetuous commanders in their march across Europe. Ike brings the reader into the thought processes and conferences leading to decisions on the liberation of Paris, Operation Market-Garden ("A Bridge Too Far") and the Battle of The Bulge.

Americans are familiar with Patton's claim that, with supplies, he could capture Berlin and win the war. Ike relates that Monty bothered him with similarly impractical suggestions. He then explains why the proposals were doomed to failure. Spirited arguments with the British over Project Anvil (Invasion of Southern France) come within the reader's vision through Ike's eyes.

The greatest criticism of Ike's wartime leadership is reserved for questions about whether the Western Allies should have advanced further to limit the Red Army's area of occupation. Ike assesses the claims and presents support for his decisions.

After V-E Day, Ike's role shifted more into that of a statesman as he attempted to obtain cooperation with the Russians over the administration of occupied Germany.

Some things come clearly through the pages of this book. The reader is constantly impressed with the importance of supplies, bringing to mind the adage that "Amateurs speak of tactics, professionals speak of logistics." Despite later controversies, Ike's admiration for Gen. George Marshall is made clear on the pages of this book. Written in 1948, I find the statement that Ike disagreed with many of FDR's domestic policies to be surprising and a hint of his later political initiatives. "Crusade In Europe" is written in a very clear, easy to read and follow, style. It never becomes bogged down in boring details. Among memoirs, this is a gem.

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A great military as well as personal account January 30, 2002

By Michael Green

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

Eisenhower quickly brings us up to speed with the US armed forced when Germany overruns Poland and later when the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor. He gives the state of our preparedness, discusses the able officers who were headed to develop our forces, and describes episodes that changed our training and effectiveness. He meets daily with the major players and heads of state and gives glimpses of their personalities as well as their views. He discusses where politics and the military overlap and where damages might occur. He discusses strategy and tactics and carefully distinguishes for the reader the differences. He clearly demonstrates pitfalls and purposes in the practice and preparation and execution of a successful war. From top to bottom along the line, he explains stresses on commander as well as enlisted troops, such as confidence and morale among other aspects. Throughout the book we gain confidence in Eisenhower's easy, open style, his sincerity and his trustworthiness. A remarkable man makes clear and plain a very complex time in our country's history, including his own views on the aftermath of WWII and the growing tensions between ourselves and Russia.

A wonderful book for veterans and non-veterans alike.

27 of 29 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Written too soon May 27, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

There is no one more in American history whom I admire more than Dwight D. Eisenhower. Unfortunately, when he wrote this book, many important things were still classified and he could not go into them. Good starting point if you're just getting interested in World War Two, but for much more detail (perhaps too much detail), there's "Eisenhower at War" by David Eisenhower. "Eisenhower" by Stephen Ambrose (Volume One and NOT the abridged version combining Volumes One and Two) is also good. Probably the most interesting book on Eisenhower during World War Two and his entire life prior to the Presidency is Merle Miller's "Ike the Soldier." Each of these books delves into the same subject matter and is able to do so without having key areas (like ULTRA) still kept confidential.