Ike and Kay

Ike and Kay by James MacManus   327 pages

History is no stranger to men, and women, having affairs. Sometimes it becomes common knowledge (I’m thinking particularly of JFK here), and sometimes it stays closeted in the past. History has left two memoirs by Kay Summersby (from the mid 1970s), that leave no doubt that she and Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower fell deeply in love during his time in England, North Africa, and France.

It all began in England, where Eisenhower was sent in May 1942 on a fact-finding mission. Kay Summersby was an ambulance driver reassigned to become Ike’s driver. It was her job to chauffer him to and from wherever he needed to go.

They took an immediate liking to each other. As time passed, the two became closer. When Ike had to go to North Africa, he insisted that Kay come along as his driver. In fact, he insisted that she go wherever he went: lunches with Churchill, meetings with Roosevelt, or drinks with other generals under his command. They spent quiet evenings alone playing bridge. She bought him a puppy and found him a cottage so he could rest more easily than in hotel.

Ike even went so far as to have Kay granted American citizenship and had plans to bring her to the States after the war. But there was one large hole in his grand plans: his wife, Mamie. When Army officials learn of his plans to divorce, they step in, knowing that great things lie ahead for the man who led the Allies to victory over the Nazis/

Historic fiction writer (most of the time, he does have a couple of contemporary novels under his belt) James MacManus has taken an historic footnote and created an atmospheric, compelling novel that was almost impossible to put down, even though readers know how it ends.  The novel did get off to a slow start for about the first 50 or so pages, but don’t get discouraged. It’s worth the read.  “Ike and Kay,” which receives 5 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.