Dwight D. Eisenhower s presidency of Columbia University (1948-1953) is among the least written about periods of his career. It is all but dismissed by historians as a mere interlude between his service as World War II s most celebrated general and his two terms as president of the United States. His Columbia tenure was marked by extended absences from campus and ongoing political speculation regarding a run for the White House in 1952. Eisenhower in Command at Columbia disputes the conventional wisdom that Eisenhower s Columbia presidency was unsuccessful. In fact, under his leadership, Columbia moved forward in several important areas. Eisenhower s tenure at Columbia was, nevertheless, difficult at times. His lack of both academic experience and a full understanding of academic culture diminished his capacity to lead and damaged his credibility with faculty. While the book brings historical perspective to Eisenhower s presidency of Columbia, its primary purpose is to analyze Eisenhower s tenure in the context of higher education leadership. His experience at Columbia is relevant today because it demonstrates the importance of understanding institutional culture when leading a college or university. His selection as the university s president reveals flaws in the process that still plague boards today in what is arguably their most important job selecting an institution s leader. This book will appeal to scholars in higher education, history, and university administration, among others."