| Edition |
First edition. |
| Description |
x, 484 pages : illustrations ; 25 cm |
| Contents |
Introduction: Tell no one. Duty: 1953-1956. Confidence ; The card player ; Positive loyalty ; Cross of iron ; Gentleman's agreement ; Deception ; Learning to love the bomb ; The chamber pot ; Strange genius ; "Don't worry, I'll confuse them" ; Meeting Mr. Khrushchev ; The devil's grip ; Bows and arrows ; Rising storm ; Subtle and brutal -- Honor: 1957-1961. Dark star ; The great equation ; The strong say nothing ; Guns of August ; Missile gap ; Looking for a partner ; Sweet words ; A regular pixie ; "The pilot's alive" ; "I'm just fed up!" ; The underestimated man -- Epilogue: Peace. |
| Summary |
Upon assuming the presidency in 1953, Dwight Eisenhower came to be seen by many as a doddering lightweight. Yet behind the bland smile and apparent simplemindedness was a brilliant, intellectual tactician. As Evan Thomas reveals in his provocative examination of Ike's White House years, Eisenhower was a master of calculated duplicity. As with his bridge and poker games he was eventually forced to stop playing after leaving too many fellow army officers insolvent, Ike could be patient and ruthless in the con, and generous and expedient in his partnerships. Facing the Soviet Union, China, and his own generals, some of whom believed a first strike was the only means of survival, Eisenhower would make his boldest and riskiest bet yet, one of such enormity that there could be but two outcomes: the survival of the world, or its end.--From publisher description. |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 423-467) and index. |
| Subject |
Eisenhower, Dwight D. (Dwight David), 1890-1969.
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United States -- Foreign relations -- 1953-1961.
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Cold War -- Diplomatic history.
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National security -- United States -- History -- 20th century.
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Nuclear weapons -- Government policy -- United States -- History -- 20th century.
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Nuclear warfare -- Government policy -- United States -- History -- 20th century.
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| ISBN |
9780316091046: $29.99 |
|
0316091049 |
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