Perhaps there's nothing wrong with this ambivalence; it would be absurd to rate Eisenhower's performance as Supreme Commander as either white or black; of course he will come out some shade of grey, with failures and setbacks to go along with sound decisions and triumphs. Whatever your opinion of Ike, Monty, Patton, and the rest, this book is fascinating reading for any student of the war.
(P.S. - I'm tempted to give another star, bringing it up to a General-of-the-army-5 star rating, just because D'Este had the guts to dismiss the Kay Summersby story for what it probably was: a man finding comfort in non-sexual companionship with a pleasant young woman -- a welcome distraction from the immense pressures and inherent loneliness of his job).
1. Eisenhower's spectacular elevation to supreme commander was fantastic luck for Ike and a terrible risk for the Allies. At the time he took command, he had never held a combat assignment.
He simply was not prepared for the job.
2. Eisenhower had to deal with a nasty, egotistical, and scheming group of ambitious subordinates. They all distrusted his abilities; Clark, Bradley, Patton, Alexander, Montgomery, etc. Nor were these prima donnas very good soldiers, except for Patton. Depressing.
3. Eisenhower and the allies botched many operations: Darlan, Sicily, Anzio, Salerno, Omaha Beach, Arnhem, Berlin, etc.
4. D'Este insists on writing about Mamie, John SD, and Kay Summersby, even though they had no effect on Eisenhower's commands.
5. Ike was often sick. He suffered from dozens of afflictions.
6. Eisenhower endured a level of conflict and pressure that few men could endure without cracking up.
7. Eisehnower wanted to become a real fighting commander. He disliked staff and bureaucracy. Ironically he build a huge bureaucratic staff and he never commanded troops in battle.
8. Ike never cared a whit for material possessions, money, women, or fame. As soldiers and politicans run, he was a Saint.
9. The World class act was Marshall, standing aside so Ike could command in Europe. But Marshall was much better prepared! I find it difficult to understand Marshall's motivations.
This is a strange book. D'Este is a better military writer than a biographer. I can't see why his book is better than Ambrose. Nor is it particularly strong on operations, compared to say,
Perrett's book. In particular, the book really ought to end with a chapter summing up the many contradictions and ironies of Ike's sudden rise and his troubled command. D'Este has many harsh judgments to make, but they are left scattered.