This book takes the reader behind battle lines and past staff meetings into the heart and mind of Ike, as reported firsthand by the men and women who were closest to him.--[book jacket].

Includes index.

Where it all began -- Winning and losing -- A good gamble -- The dominant quality -- A nice little town -- The "Renegade Texan" -- An angry man -- The stepping stone -- In the truth -- Marching through Georgia -- Not at the top, but climbing -- A matter of age -- The summer of 1915 -- Fort Sam -- Miss Mamie -- The nature of the duty -- The army wife -- Keeping the Colonel happy -- Full circle -- Genuine adventure -- The tortoise and the hare -- The dark shadow -- A grave offense -- The invisible figure -- Slightly to the rear -- The watershed -- Prudens Futuri -- Some Americans in Paris -- The assistant to the assistant -- The insubordinate General -- Good man Friday -- The mission -- The electric train -- War games -- A Colonel named Eisenhower -- The first answer -- A man of responsibility -- A Kansan goes to London -- A precious friendship -- 20 Grosvenor Square -- Maelstrom -- The rock of Gibraltar -- Friday the thirteenth -- A bitter decision -- Power plays -- Turn of the tide -- An auspicious omen -- The first step -- Holding Patton's horse -- The soft underbelly -- The Sultan -- The final plan -- O.K., we'll go -- Piercing the heart -- Stormy weather -- Irish and tragic -- Out of the woods -- Crossing the Seine -- A fragile reed -- A mere incident -- The long-distance runner -- His greatest moment -- Postscript.