Dwight D. Eisenhower was born in Denison, Texas, October 14, 1890, but grew up in Abilene, Kansas, which he always considered the heart of America. His parents, who were imbued with a deep religious faith, had to work hard to rear a family.

There were six brothers in the Eisenhower family, three younger than Dwight and two older, all of whom worked to help earn a living. At home, Dwight shared chores with his brothers and raised vegetables to sell. In the community, he picked apples and rode a horse to help harvest wheat.

Dwight's closest associate among his brothers was Edgar, who was only one year older. They enjoyed the same activities, played baseball and football together, and even planned to help each other through college. While still in grade school, Edgar acquired the nickname "Big Ike" and Dwight "Little Ike."

After Dwight graduated from high school, he worked in a creamery to earn money for college. Finally he took examinations to qualify for appointment to U. S. Navel Academy or U. S. Military Academy. He passed the examinations and in 1911 enrolled as a cadet in U. S. Military Academy at West Point.

When Dwight enrolled at West Point he signed his name Dwight David Eisenhower. His parents had named him David Dwight, but everyone had called him Dwight. As a result, he had come to prefer the name Dwight and had decided to reverse his names.

During World War I he helped to train soldiers for service abroad and during the ensuing years took special training to advance his military career. During World War II, he conducted a successful invasion of North Africa. Then he was chosen Supreme Commander of the Allied Expeditionary Forces in Europe and led the Allies to a brilliant victory.

Following the war Eisenhower served as Army Chief of Staff, President of Columbia University, and Head of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Then by popular demand he became a candidate for President and served two terms, 1953 to 1961. Next he retired quietly to his farm at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

The author, Wilma J. Hudson, is a school librarian and teacher. She is the wife of an engineer and the mother of three children, all avid readers of books in the Childhood of Famous Americans Series. In writing this book she has provided an appealing and authentic story of one of America's greatest heroes. 

From the dust jacket