Dwight D. Eisenhower FROM THE CRITICS
Children's Literature - Marilyn Courtot
Like many biographies that I have reviewed purportedly for kids, the photograph on the cover and on the introductory spread is not really kid friendly. It shows Dwight D. Eisenhower as an older man who may be recognizable to adults, but he will not be a big draw to get kids to open the book. That is too bad, because Eisenhower had an interesting life, starting with his early years as an athlete and an injury that almost cost him his leg. He worked to help his brother go to college and then learned that he could go to the U. S. Military Academy at West Point at no cost except to later serve in the military. While at West Point, Eisenhower demonstrated his ability to lead. While he really wanted to be on the front lines, Eisenhower spent much of his time training other soldiers. He worked his way up and became a top student at the Command and General Staff School—he was being trained to lead the army of the future. The book describes his role and leadership in WWII and later his presidency. Many may not know that, as President, Eisenhower established NASA, the Interstate Highway System, and also ordered troops into Arkansas to help integrate a school. He is a man worth studying and emulating, and this biography does a credible job of introducing him to young readers. The text is filled with pictures, drawings and ends with a useful selection of books for further reading, websites, a selected bibliography and index. 2005, Lerner, Ages 7 to 10.
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