Three Days in January: Dwight Eisenhowers Final Mission by Bret Baier

Table of Contents

Introduction
Discussion
Critical Analysis
Conclusion
Reference

Introduction

Dwight David Eisenhower, as others refer to him as Ike, is among the paradoxical figures that the US had during the 20^th century. The statesman and Military officer served the nation as the 34^th president between 1953 and 1961. Studies indicate that Ike served as the Allied Expeditionary Forces Supreme Commander in Europe. He became a military hero and attained the five-star rank of Army General. Eisenhower led the United States as a moderate conservative who extended Social Security, kept New Deal programs going, and fought for peace as president. He revered the militarys structure and necessity while simultaneously cautioning against its expansion. In his book Three Days in January, Bret Baier and Catherine Whitney summarizes the legacy of the forgotten hero by focusing on the final three days of his presidency.

Discussion

Baier & Whitney (2017) have divided their book, Three Days in January, into three sections: The Setting, The Speech, and The Final Mission. In the first Section, The Setting, Baier & Whitney (2017) describe Ikes personal life, his career in the military, and how he ended up being a US president. The authors dive deep into Ikes presidency in the second section, The Speech, by focusing on care in his farewell speech as his presidency ended and the reason that guided him in choosing some issues he included. In the last part of the book, The Final Mission, Baier & Whitney (2017) describe Ikes last presidential mission as he prepares to pass the power to a new president, John F. Kennedy. This is meant to prepare the new president for his role in an increasingly hostile globe. Already the world was gaining a different political atmosphere that required upcoming leaders to adjust their abilities.

Eisenhowers final task as president was to impart to the next leader and the nation the knowledge he gained and suggestions for the way forward. The book cuts the period between Ikes farewell address and the inauguration of Kennedy as the new president, which took place from 17 January 1961 to 20 January 1961 (Baier & Whitney, 2017). During this time, Ike planned to prepare the new president for the task ahead to avoid the challenges he encountered during his reign. Ikes relationship with Harry Truman, who was his predecessor, was strained and chilly. However, Ike supported Kennedy even though they represented different backgrounds.

The book also gives a culmination of Ikes lifetime in service, from his hometown in rural Kansas to the Oval Office, passing through World War IIs battlefields. Dwight Eisenhower left the White House has accomplished more for the countrys future than possibly any other modern American. He notes that despite every provocation, making less emotional and transitory sacrifices will ensure that America remains on our (its) charted course toward permanent peace and human betterment (Baier & Whitney, 2017, p. 231). According to Baiers book, Eisenhower gave one of the most remarkable farewell speeches in the nations history. Ike warned Americans about the perils of placing partisanship above the common good, enormous government spending, the growth of the military-industrial complex, and the encroaching political influence of special interests. Additionally, the authors explain how Eisenhowers two administrations altered America for the better and show how Ike still serves as an example of the kind of moral leadership that surveys indicate is sorely lacking in modern politics. The book unequivocally demonstrates that Eisenhower continues to provide important lessons for people living now and serves as a model of political leadership at its most admirable and successful.

Critical Analysis

For any reader, the book is amusing. Anyone would understand more about Dwight David Eisenhower as an individual, especially through his principles and ideals that guided his actions as the president. Baiers story allows readers to learn about Ikes leadership style, especially as the D-Day invasions architect and the Supreme Commander in Europe. To provide context and explanation for Eisenhowers decisionsparticularly those concerning foreign affairs and Americas standing in the worldBaier skillfully weaves various passages from the presidents life, writings, and speeches.

The other strength of this book is that Baier, one of the authors, writes it from a journalists perspective, offering more detailed information. Bret Baier is the Chief Political Anchor for Fox News, and like any other journalist, his book indicates that he conducted many studies and research and brought a wide range of sources to establish a more detailed and positive picture of Ike. For instance, the final chapters link Eisenhowers views on war, the military-industrial complex, and Americas place in the world to contemporary occurrences like the War on Terror and Donald Trumps election. He even portrays Truman and JFK in a negative light in comparison, appearing to concur with Eisenhowers views. Meanwhile, the author accurately conveys Eisenhowers perspective and intentions. For instance, the author indicates that Ike always showed a willingness to work both for people and with them. Often he would ask himself, Is it good for America? (Baier & Whitney, 2017, p. 227). He makes him appear as a forgotten hero who still left a lot for the US and the world to learn about.

In addition to discovering and illuminating Eisenhower through the potent lens of journalism, Baiers experience in the White House makes his book more credible. Most importantly, his three years as the main White House correspondent gave him the expertise necessary to judge Eisenhower objectively and genuinely and to communicate his genuine joy at having met Ike. For instance, the author explains how Eisenhowers two administrations improved the country and show how he serves today as a model of moral behavior that leaders lack in modern politics. Also, with the journalists keen eye for the human aspect of a subject, his excellent communication skills keep the reader entertained and interested.

Baier & Whitney (2017) further utilize Ikes farewell address in writing their book, which makes it more credible. The authors successfully and effectively examine the many facets of Eisenhowers leadership and psychology using Ikes farewell speech and the related transfer of presidential office and power. For instance, according to this book, George Washington, the first general to hold the office of president, served as an inspiration to Ike, the last president to be a general. Washingtons farewell message was one of many accomplishments and aspects of Washingtons leadership that Eisenhower greatly appreciated (Baier & Whitney, 2017, p. 30). On a positive note, the book does provide intriguing tales about Eisenhower and offers some insights into the genuine Eisenhower, who shied away from self-disclosure.

In addition, the authors prepare readers from the beginning of the book on how strategically significant Ikes leadership was. Ikes life before becoming president and his two administrations are covered in detail in the books first section. This makes it easier for the reader to accept and comprehend the strategic significance of Eisenhowers leadership in those roles as commander-in-chief and civilian president. Baier & Whitney (2017) explain and analyze Ikes gradual, clearly thought-out, and deliberate transfer of power from Ike to Jack in a democracy; the first was the oldest president ever elected, and the second had been the youngest to be elected; both had been given significant mandates of change for America.

People interested in knowing more about Ike would most likely find the true history around him too complicated due to his life had many paradoxes. However, the authors demonstrate to the reader that Eisenhowers commitment to peace rather than war was the core paradox of his public life as a civilian commander-in-chief and a professional military officer. Ike was brought up in a pacifist household and strangely developed into a professional soldier and a fiery peace activistan amazing dichotomy in a soldier who thought that using force to solve problems would not benefit the country or the globe.

Conclusion

While this book was successful, it had one significant weakness; many errors in sources about World War II included. For instance, Baier & Whitney (2017) note about the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs, The sad truth was, it all might have been avoided had not Truman insisted on unconditional surrender (Baier & Whitney, 2017). However, studies indicate otherwise. However, studies suggest that there was no such discussion, and there was no proof that Trumans decision to detonate the bomb was influenced in any substantial way by the doctrine of unconditional surrender.