World War II loomed over the twentieth century, transforming every level of American society and international politics and searing itself onto the psyche of an entire generation, including that of six American presidents: John F. Kennedy, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Lyndon B. Johnson, Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush. The lessons of World War II, more than party affiliation or ideology, defined the presidencies of these six men. They returned home determined to confront any force that threatened to undermine the war's hard-won ideals, each with their own unique understanding of patriotism, sacrifice, and America's role in global politics. In Presidents at War, Gillon examines what these men took away from the war and how they then applied it to Cold War policy that proceeded to change America, and the world, forever. A nuanced and deeply-researched exploration of the lives, philosophies, and legacies of six remarkable men, Presidents at War deftly argues that the lessons learned by these post-war presidents continue to shape the landscape upon which current, and future, presidents stand today.
