The U.S. Presidents group will discuss Dwight D. Eisenhower by Tom Wicker (Times Books, $25.00). Wicker traces Eisenhower's life from his hardscrabble Kansas childhood, through his West Point years and his dramatic success during the war to his reluctant entry into politics. Throughout, we see a good and determined man -- at times, says Wicker, a great man -- who is remembered as much for his personal magnetism as for his aura of competence and command. And yet his tenure as chief executive can best be described as one of the missed opportunities. His middle-of-the-road politics maintained the status quo, but never rose to the level of visionary leadership that could have led the country forward through uncertain times.. In Wicker's words, "the worst did not happen in his time, but neither did the best. When he left office, the world was as divided and hostile, in some ways more so, than when he was elected." The group will take a field trip to the Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home in Abilene, Kansas on Saturday, October 18.
Event date:
Without exception, non-returnable.