Background

Why I chose to write a historical novel from Eisenhower’s perspective

For my World War II novels I found General Dwight D. Eisenhower to be the perfect protagonist. Ike was an obscure one-star general when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Eisenhower’s mentor—US Army Chief of Staff General George Marshall—promoted him over hundreds of more senior generals and sent him off to London to command America’s war in Europe. Ike was at the center of US involvement in every major event of the European war, and his story is very much America’s story. Eisenhower’s World War II adventures were so interesting I found the need to write two novels to do them justice.

Eisenhower’s political bosses, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill, were strong-willed leaders who often interacted with him. Ike found himself at times negatively impacted by the political needs and whims of Roosevelt and the military stratagems of Churchill.

Eisenhower found himself often at odds over grand strategy with his prima donna subordinates General Bernard “Monty” Montgomery and General George Patton, each of whom wanted to be the star actor in the unfolding drama. Another supreme egotist, General Charles de Gaulle of France caused Eisenhower unending headaches.

An added element to Eisenhower’s story that I find fascinating is the close relationship he developed with his beautiful English driver, Kay Summersby. Swirling rumors of an affair with Summersby greatly affected Ike’s relationship with his wife Mamie.