The blockbuster #1 national bestsellerBret Baier, the Chief Political Anchor for Fox News Channel and the Anchor and Executive Editor of Special Report with Bret Baier, illuminates the extraordinary yet underappreciated presidency of Dwight Eisenhower by taking readers into Ike’s last days in power.“Magnificently rendered. … Destined to take its place as not only one of the masterworks on … Destined to take its place as not only one of the masterworks on Eisenhower, but as one of the classics of presidential history. … Impeccably researched, the book is nothing short of extraordinary. What a triumph!”—JAY WINIK, New York Times bestselling author of April 1865 and 1944
In Three Days in January, Bret Baier masterfully casts the period between Eisenhower’s now-prophetic farewell address on the evening of January 17, 1961, and Kennedy’s inauguration on the afternoon of January 20 as the closing act of one of modern America’s greatest leaders—during which Eisenhower urgently sought to prepare both the country and the next president for the challenges ahead.
Those three days in January 1961, Baier shows, were the culmination of a lifetime of service that took Ike from rural Kansas to West Point, to the battlefields of World War II, and finally to the Oval Office. When he left the White House, Dwight Eisenhower had done more than perhaps any other modern American to set the nation, in his words, “on our charted course toward permanent peace and human betterment.”
On January 17, Eisenhower spoke to the nation in one of the most remarkable farewell speeches in U.S. history. Ike looked to the future, warning Americans against the dangers of elevating partisanship above national interest, excessive government budgets (particularly deficit spending), the expansion of the military-industrial complex, and the creeping political power of special interests. Seeking to ready a new generation for power, Eisenhower intensely advised the forty-three-year-old Kennedy before the inauguration.
Baier also reveals how Eisenhower’s two terms changed America forever for the better, and demonstrates how today Ike offers us the model of principled leadership that polls say is so missing in politics. Three Days in January forever makes clear that Eisenhower, an often forgotten giant of U.S. history, still offers vital lessons for our own time and stands as a lasting example of political leadership at its most effective and honorable.
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A terrific book. The author gives us a much greater understanding of the very difficult period of the Eisenhower years and his effective style of leadership.
A totally different perspective of Eisenhower.
Excellant lesson in history & what it takes to be a truthful honest leader a rare commodity in politics
Good biography of General and President Eisenhower, focusing on the days of transition from his administration to that of President Kennedy.
Dry but interesting.
great history and very informative — clearly defines the man and his time
Great Book!!!
Gave me new insights into Eisenhower
Very interesting writing. Makes Ike come alive again. Need another President like him. And underscores how different things are today with world leaders, those who walk the walk vs those who are all about talking the talk only. Don’t mean to say Kennedy was the first to take office unprepared but certainly that was the case. Unfortunately JFK had style but not much substance to go with it and Ike didn’t have enough time to train & develop a junior naval officer into a Flag Commander, nor was JFK open to his influence. Another opportunity lost…
Great story about one of our great Americans
A waste of time and money. False advertising. It said it was about meetings between Ike and JFK just before JKF’s inauguration. That part of it wouldn’t fill a thimble. The rest was a rehash of a number of earlier (and better) Eisenhower biographies with a few Fox News slogans thrown in to insult my intelligence.
Don’t bother
Outstanding! I had no clue about how Eisenhower kept us out of world conflicts. Being a Vietnam vet I had always thought that Kennedy and Johnson were following Eisenhower policies. That’s not true at all. Too bad Eisenhower wasn’t consulting before Johnson entered us into that stupid foray.
Too much background. Would have better been a magazine article.
Title misreprented text of book.
This book exceeded my expectations. Most people don’t know how much they need to know about Dwight Eisenhower. This is good biography and general history of an era that was pivotal in American life. There are illuminating discussions of Eisenhower’s interactions with John F. Kennedy, Harry Truman, Douglas MacArthur, and others. The book uses Eisenhower’s famous “Military Industrial Complex” speech as a foil for examining the significance of this president’s role in keeping peace at a most unlikely time.
A solid introduction to Ike’s life and his world view. Shows the strength of having a variety of inputs in the decision making process, even when there are large differences. Well researched and well written.
I was born in 1944, so I lived through this time period. this book helped me understand some of the things that were going on during that period. In particularly Ike’s reasons for avoiding direct confrontation with the Soviets. It also helped to explain Ike’s relationship with Truman and then later, his relationship with Kennedy.
Great read and should be required reading in our schools. Accurately predicts the current fracture in our culture and society.
This book explained things I heard about as a child but didn’t really understand at the time. I liked IKE because he looked like a friendly grandfather and the first US President I truly remember. After reading this book I believe he may not getting as much credit for his peaceful presidency as he deserves.
Wonderful with details I was not aware of and a fast read.