The Religious Journey of Dwight D. Eisenhower

Historian Holl (Juvenile Reform in the Progressive Era) delivers a striking biography of President Dwight Eisenhower (1890–1969), drawing on the 34th president’s writings as well as recollections from those who knew him to trace the evolution of his religious beliefs. Growing up in rural Kansas, the future president developed an “aversion to institutional religious affiliations” and “a worldview that perceived human history as a dialectical struggle between divine and demonic forces.” Later, as president, Eisenhower saw himself as “pastor in chief” and mobilized American civil religion to overcome domestic and foreign obstacles as his administration pushed nuclear nonproliferation, the integration of schools, and the introduction of references to God within the pledge of allegiance and the national motto. Nevertheless, Eisenhower’s “middle of the road” approach to church and state, Holl writes, garnered criticism from across the religious and political spectrum. Holl contends it is difficult to determine whether Eisenhower’s actions were essentially political or religious in nature, and does a solid job of revealing the inner life of a man who believed “our form of government has no sense unless it is grounded in a deeply felt religious faith.” Holl’s impeccable study will appeal to those interested in mid-century American religion and politics alike. (Oct.)