The General’s Women

A Novel

By: Susan Wittig Albert

Narrated by: Christine Williams

Set during the chaotic years of World War II, The General's Women tells the story of the conflicted relationship between General Dwight Eisenhower and Kay Summersby, his Irish driver/aide, and the impact of that relationship on Mamie Eisenhower and her life in Washington during the war. Told from three alternating points of view (Kay's, Ike's, and Mamie's), the novel charts the deepening of the relationship as Ike and Kay move from England to North Africa to England, France, and Germany before and after the Normandy landing. At the end of the war, Ike is faced with the heart-wrenching choice between marrying Kay and a political future.

The story continues into the post-war years, as Ike (returning to Mamie) becomes Army chief of staff, president of Columbia University, supreme commander of NATO, and president of the United States. Kay, meanwhile, struggles to create a life and work of her own, writing two memoirs: the first (Eisenhower Was My Boss, 1948) about her war work with Ike; the second (Past Forgetting, 1976) about their love affair. An author's note deals with the complicated question of the truth of Kay's story as it appeared in the posthumously published Past Forgetting.

©2017 Susan Wittig Albert (P)2017 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Definitely engages the reader!

Beautifully depicts the human struggle of maintaining one's integrity while still reaching for the desires of the heart.

Wonderfully imagined.

I loved this glimpse into history. It is wonderfully thought out. The author brings the characters to life.

Fascinating Story

The book told the side of the war along with a personal message. It was very detailed about the European Theatre during WWII.

Great story

I never knew about the affair. Great story and details. I knew some parts had to be fiction, however, it really made the book more interesting.

Great Book

This is a soundly researched and artfully marshalled account of a very significant historical figure and a foible not commonly associated with him, weakness of spirit. The depiction of the relationship is a little too Hallmark channel- Ike was screwing her brains out like just about every other leader of Worjd War II leader. I started out admiring Ike but ended up despising his pusillanimous cop out-He was no King Edward. Ike was a commodity and John and Mamie whitewashed history and string armed Kay Somersby to preserve it
Ike was no different than Jack Kennedy or Bill Clinton, He is lucky this love affair did not sink his electability. Mamie Eisenhower is one of the most unappetizing First Ladies of History. This marriage , like much else in the 50s, was a complete sham.