"Nichols will appear at the Dole Institute June 15 telling about the wars we didn’t have in 1956. Bob Woodward, famous author of ”Obama’s Wars“, will be there May 15.
You can bet who will draw the crowds. Wars that are not fought are not nearly as exciting as wars fought--but make better sense
But, if you want to learn of presidential strategic thinking and courage, get Nichols’ books about Ike." --Bill Roy, Topeka Capital-Journal [read the entire review here]
"Ike's discovery that his allies had betrayed him; his forthright determination to stand with Egypt against Britain, France and Israel, which triggered the invasion in coordination with the European nations; the stunned helplessness as brave Hungarians were trampled by Soviet forces — form the dramatic apex of Nichols' narrative. It is a staggering moment of peril, vividly captured by a gifted author. It is also timely in important ways. As Egypt again is a key player in a region in revolt, Eisenhower's experience in 1956 demonstrates both the significance of American principle — the molding effects of this democracy — and the limits of American power." --Jim Newton, Los Angeles Times (read the entire review here)
"This tightly written, chronological account covers a heart attack and, later, a severe intestinal illness that threatened Ike’s reelection; betrayal by Britain and France, his staunchest allies in World War II; Israeli belligerence spearheaded by David Ben-Gurion that eerily presages Benjamin Netanyahu’s contemporary approach; the mixed legacy of sharp-tongued Secretary of State John Foster Dulles and the largely incompetent record of his brother Allen, director of the Central Intelligence Agency; the rise of Arab nationalism as embodied in Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser; and the West’s continuing dependence on Middle Eastern oil transported through the Suez Canal, a flashpoint for decades. Nichols’ book, written lean enough to allow the facts speak for themselves, makes for exciting history." --Carlo Wolf, Christian Science Monitor (read the entire review here)
"One of “7 History Books Worth Checking Out in 2011”
--Christian Science Monitor (1/12/11)
“A richly contextual reappraisal of a telling year in the presidency. . . . A suspenseful study that moves chronologically through the days in which the U.S. government was on tenterhooks. . . . A solid revisiting of this compelling leader about whom we are still learning.”
--Kirkus Reviews
“Nichols draws on newly declassified documents to describe with rare accuracy and immediacy how Eisenhower, recovering from a heart attack and major surgery, acted with intelligence and foresight.”
--Publishers Weekly |
