David and Julie Eisenhower to Sign New Book

David Eisenhower and his wife Julie Nixon Eisenhower will visit Gettysburg on Saturday, February 19^th to sign their new book, Going Home to Glory: A Memoir of Life with Dwight D. Eisenhower, 1961-1969.

Following the inauguration of John F. Kennedy on January 20, 1961, Dwight D. Eisenhower concluded his formal career of public service and, with his wife, Mamie, returned to their farm in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, now preserved as the Eisenhower National Historic Site.  Eight years later, the former Supreme Commander of Allied forces in World War II and thirty-fourth president of the United States, succumbed to a final heart attack in Walter Reed military hospital. The time between was full and fascinating—and is now shared with readers in a very special way.

Going Home to Glory is a loving yet insightful examination of Eisenhower's later life by a first-hand witness: David Eisenhower, whose previous book about his grandfather, Eisenhower At War: 1943-1945, was a finalist for the 1987 Pulitzer Prize in history. Twelve years old when the man he called "Granddad" left the White House, David spent countless hours working on his grandfather's farm, traveling with him to foreign lands and above all, simply sharing quality one-on–one time with the former president. Accordingly, no other historian has been so uniquely positioned to observe first-hand the retirement years of a towering figure in world and American history. As Going Home to Glory demonstrates, Eisenhower remained active in party politics, counseled presidents and other world leaders and, in private conversation, felt free to comment on important issues and individuals.

Though David first met Julie Nixon at Eisenhower's second inaugural in 1957, years later he began dating her while they were college students, he at Amherst and she at Smith.  When the relationship looked serious, Eisenhower counseled him about the importance of being established in a profession before marrying.  The serious discussion stayed with David, who feared telling his grandfather about his engagement to Julie while they were still in college and left it to others to do so. Julie's recollections of meeting David's grandparents and their involvement with the1968 Nixon campaign and election as President are intertwined with David's memories in Going Home to Glory.

Both David and Julie will be at the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center on Saturday, February 19, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m.to 4 p.m. to sign their book. Plenty of copies of the book will available for sale that day. For those not able to visit in person, books can be ordered in advance on line at http://www.gettysburgfoundation.org/shop.htm.  Enter the on- line store and click on "signed book presale." Once books are autographed, they will be shipped to the buyer. Advance orders can also be placed by calling the bookstore at 717-334-2288.

The Eisenhower National Historic Site is open daily with shuttle buses leaving the Gettysburg National Military Park Museum and Visitor Center at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. Admission is $7.50 for adults and $5.00 for youth ages 6 -12; children age 6 and under are admitted free. Advance reservations are available by calling 877-874-2478. Reservations are especially recommended for groups of 16 or more and group rates are available.