Five Star Conversations

General Dwight Eisenhower and CBS newsman Walter Cronkite speaking in the Normandy American Cemetery on the 20th anniversary of D-Day in 1964.

Eisenhower National Historic Site

Join us for conversations with historians, authors, and park rangers discussing the lives of Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower, the era in which they lived, and their legacy today.

"We must understand people. We must make it our business to know what they are thinking, and why, and what it means for us."
President Dwight D. Eisenhower, June 12, 1959
Graduation Ceremonies for Foreign Service Institute

 

• 

  A Conversation with Susan Eisenhower

  Susan Eisenhower joins us for a discussion on the leadership style of her grandfather, Dwight David Eisenhower. As one of Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower’s four grandchildren, Susan has an intimate and deep knowledge of the Eisenhowers, and has tremendous insight on General Eisenhower’s leadership and legacy. Susan is the author of books on each of her grandparents--"How Ike Led" and "Mrs. Ike". She is also a consultant and policy strategist based in Washington, D.C. (Recorded in August 2020)

  Duration:

  22 minutes, 59 seconds

 

• 

  A Conversation with Rick Atkinson

  Pulitzer Prize winning historian Rick Atkinson sits down for a conversation about the leadership of General Dwight Eisenhower and the enduring meaning of World War II. Mr. Atkinson is the author of the bestselling and acclaimed Liberation Trilogy on World War II, of which the first volume, An Army at Dawn, won the Pulitzer Prize for History. He has written numerous additional best-selling books, and is a former staff writer and senior editor of the Washington Post. (Recorded in August 2020)

  Duration:

  36 minutes, 29 seconds

 

• 

  A Conversation with Ian Toll

  Ian Toll is a best-selling author and award-winning naval historian. He has written a trilogy on the War in the Pacific—Pacific Crucible, The Conquering Tide, and Twilight of the Gods. Mr. Toll joins us to discuss his research and writing, various aspects of the Pacific War in WWII, and his thoughts on the war's legacy 75 years after its conclusion. (Recorded in August 2020)

  Duration:

  34 minutes, 32 seconds

 

• 

  A Conversation with John McManus

  Award winning historian and author John C. McManus joins us for a discussion commemorating the 77th anniversary of D-Day, discussing General Eisenhower’s leadership in the Allied invasion of Normandy and its legacy for us today. Dr. McManus is the Curators’ Distinguished Professor of U.S. Military History at the Missouri University of Science and Technology and the recipient of the prestigious Gilder Lehrman Prize for Military History. (Recorded May 2021)

  Duration:

  30 minutes

 

• 

  Minidoka National Historic Site

  Park Ranger Kurt Ikeda from the Minidoka National Historic Site joins us to discuss the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. Kurt not only shares the story of sites like Minidoka—located in Idaho—but also individual stories of American citizens who were impacted by Executive Order 9066. We also discuss Milton Eisenhower’s role in the War Relocation Authority. (Recorded in September 2021)

  Duration:

  24 minutes, 6 seconds

 

• 

  Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site

  Join us as we chat with Park Ranger Frank Toland from Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site about the role the Tuskegee Airmen played in World War II. From fighting discrimination on the home front to fighting fascism in Europe, the Tuskegee Airmen paved the way for victory on multiple fronts during World War II. (Recorded September 2021)

  Duration:

  23 minutes, 9 seconds

 

• 

  Home of Franklin D Roosevelt National Historic Site and Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site

  Park Ranger Lydia Strickling joins us to talk about Franklin D. Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt, and Dwight D. Eisenhower.

  Duration:

  13 minutes, 39 seconds

 

• 

  West Point Museum

  Museum Tech Aaron Rowland from the West Point Museum joins Park Ranger Dan Vermilya to chat about the important role West Point played in the life of Dwight D. Eisenhower. From Ike's days as a cadet to exploring John Eisenhower's time there, Aaron shares how West Point was a central part of the Eisenhower story for many decades. (Recorded February 2023)

  Duration:

  24 minutes, 17 seconds

 

• 

  A Conversation with Craig Symonds

  Join us for an engaging discussion with noted historian Dr. Craig Symonds on the leadership of Admiral Chester Nimitz and General Dwight D. Eisenhower. Dr. Symonds explores how these two leaders shaped the course of World War II, while highlighting how their leadership lessons endure today. This program took place on September 15, 2023, as part of Eisenhower National Historic Site's 2023 World War II Weekend.

  Duration:

  43 minutes, 32 seconds

 

• 

  Korean War veteran Richard Witham

  Cpl. Richard Witham was an army photographer during the Korean War. Join us for this engaging conversation with Cpl. Witham, recounting his experiences in Korea and highlighting some of his previously unpublished photographs documenting the Korean War. This program took place at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center on July 27, 2023, on the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice.

  Duration:

  54 minutes, 31 seconds

 

• 

  Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial

  Cemetery Associate Vincent Joris joins us from the Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial in Belgium. Vincent discusses the unique story behind the Ardennes and its use as an identification point for American casualties from across the European Theater of Operations during World War II. (This program was recorded in March 2024).

  Duration:

  21 minutes, 12 seconds