Acknowledgments

There are pros and cons to writing a book during a global pandemic. Although CDC recommendations removed many of the usual distractions and provided ample free time for research and writing, it was sometimes difficult to focus on the events of the mid-twentieth century when there was so much uncertainty in our own time. I feel privileged to have had the opportunity to spend my time in a way that kept me safe and healthy while others had no choice but to put themselves at risk.

There are several groups and individuals I would like to thank. Most importantly, Missouri Southern State University for approving my sabbatical request to pursue this project. My colleagues in the Social Science Department there did an outstanding job under very difficult circumstances while I enjoyed a year of research and writing. Megan Bever and William Delehanty provided timely feedback on several chapters. The Eisenhower Foundation awarded me a generous grant for research at the Eisenhower Presidential Library. Archivist Mary Burtzloff was especially helpful preparing me for my visit. Amy Farranto at Northern Illinois University Press suggested that Eisenhower would be an excellent subject in their People for Our Time series. Karen Laun and Deborah A. Oosterhouse at Cornell University Press provided valuable editorial assistance. Eisenhower historians Chester Pach and Richard Damms each read the entire manuscript and provided valuable feedback. Students in my upper-level seminar “Eisenhower and the 1950s” were an excellent sounding board for the topics covered in this book. Finally, as always, my wife and fellow historian Angela Firkus provided tremendous help and support throughout the project.