Eisenhower and the Soviet Union: Presidential Leadership in Foreign Policy, 1953-61
By (Author) Adam Boon
Edinburgh University Press
Edinburgh University Press
9th June 2026
United Kingdom
Professional and Scholarly
Non Fiction
Hardback
248
Width 156mm, Height 234mm
Assesses the mode and quality of Dwight D. Eisenhower's presidential leadership by analysing his contribution to American policy towards the Soviet Union from 1953 to 1961.
Three overarching questions are explored. First: how did Eisenhower, as president, lead his administration's policy towards the Soviet Union Second: what general observations can be made about Eisenhower's presidential leadership based on this account of how he managed Soviet policy Third: what does this mean for how Eisenhower's leadership has been framed to date
The book offers a nuanced comparison of Eisenhower's performance across separate elements of presidential leadership, how they knitted together as a whole and his evolution as a leader over eight years. It provides a basis for scrutinising cornerstones of Eisenhower scholarship, including the pervasive conception of 'hidden-hand' leadership, which has long had a transformative impact on interpretations of Eisenhower's presidency.
Adam Boon is Senior Research Analyst for North America at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.