The General’s Women

Reading The General's Woman is like using a knife through soft butter, it's effortless and it spreads smoothly. The story is about General Eisenhower and Kay Summersby and their relationship during World War II. Albert's depiction is realistic  and poignant. It was a relationship that lived on borrowed time, intense as it happened, but doomed to endure. The author has a very thorough epilogue followed with a synopsis of  her research. Albert sheds light on the rocky path of revisions Summersby's tale took, with some aspects still shadowy.  Sometimes the history of a history is a story in and of itself. All in all, this is a not to be missed read.  I received an ARC, courtesy of NetGalley.

It's hard to imagine in this day and age of instant news and gossip and paparazzi; but years ago, public figures were able for the most part to keep their private lives private.  Today, the affair between Eisenhower and Kay Summersby would explode in the headlines when Ike was running for president.  Perhaps there were whispers of it, I don't know.  I was in first grade when Ike first ran for President and I wore an "I Like Ike" button someone gave me because I liked the sound of it.  If there was any scandal reported, I wasn't aware of it.  I'm sure, however, that even if there was talk, it wouldn't have been blasted all over the news like it would be today.
 
The author did her research into the subject and we can only assume this novel is factually true.  It's an interesting read and one can't help but feel sorry for all three major figures in this story.  Ike, Kay, and Mamie.  No true winners here.