Crusade in Europe

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In Crusade in Europe:  A Personal Account of World War II, Dwight D. Eisenhower preaches, in essence, to stay out of your people’s way and let them do their jobs.  His story—above all else—is a lesson in leadership.

Throughout his memoir, Eisenhower gives credit where he thinks it’s due, usually naming the individuals who excelled regardless of their rank. At the same time, he doesn’t shy away from holding people responsible when they failed to meet his expectations, although he rarely shared their names in his book.

He holds himself accountable as well, taking the blame when a decision he made works against him. For example, he explicitly blames himself for decisions which may have hindered the Allies’ response to the Germans’ last major counter-offensive, the Battle of the Bulge.

Despite the subtitle, Crusade in Europe is not a traditional autobiography. Eisenhower sticks almost exclusively to military matters.  His first visit to a Nazi concentration camp occupies only half a page.  Although he says it was shocking and horrible, that’s as deep as he goes.  The same restraint applies to the death of President Roosevelt.  There is very little personal reflection here.

Instead, this is a clinical account of his activities from a few months before the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor through the very first hints of the burgeoning Cold War with the Soviet Union.  Although it can be a bit dry in places, the information about his approach and decisions regarding the Allies’ campaigns in North Africa, Italy and then the rest of Europe are fascinating.  You can push through the slower sections.

Ultimately, Crusade in Europe serves as a reminder that America and its people truly were great once.  And that great leaders do not seek credit for themselves, but recognize the collective effort behind success—a lesson that remains relevant long after World War II.

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