The centennial of Dwight D. Eisenhower's birth in 1990 came amid a
reappraisal of this American Hero's eight years in the White House.
Among the many tributes to President Eisenhower's memory, perhaps the
most significant was a Centennial Symposium held at Gettysburg College
in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This extraordinary gathering of former
cabinet and staff, journalists and historians met for five days in
October 1990 to examine anew the pivotal years of President Eisenhower's
leadership. The group offers a unique view of the Eisenhower Presidency,
much of it from an inside perspective. They vividly disclose how
executive policy was shaped and political dilemmas were resolved. THE
EISENHOWER LEGACY: Discussions of Presidential Leadership records the
highlights of the exciting and sometimes surprising discussions that
resulted from the symposium. Throughout their conversations, the
participants reveal how President Eisenhower dealt with a wide range of
crisis, including the U-2 affair, Senator Joseph McCarthy's hearings,
and the confrontation of with Governor Orval Faubus of Arkansas over
school desegregation. The many first-hand anecdotes in this volume are
often humorous, but more importantly allow the reader an insightful look
at President Eisenhower's personality. It is unlikely that such an
outstanding and knowledgeable group can again assemble to explore the
many facets of the Eisenhower presidency. THE EISENHOWER LEGACY will
prove invaluable for any future study of our 34th president.
