Kasey Pipes

Lecture:  Kasey Pipes

Ike's Final Battle:  How the Greatest American Hero of His Time
Confronted the Greatest American Dilemma of All Time

6 p.m. November 13, 2007

Kasey Pipes, author of Ike's Final Battle: The Road to Little Rock and the Challenge of Equality, was at Gettysburg College to discuss how Ike came to terms with the civil rights movement and became an unlikely leader on the issue not only as president, but also as a general in World War II and as an ex-president.

Ike's Final Battle was published just in time for the 50th anniversary of Little Rock, an event that Pipes says "changed the nation."  His book shines new light on the critical, but often overlooked, role Eisenhower played in fighting racial discrimination in America. 

"I thought there was a unique story that had never really been told before," he says about the decision to write his book. "Here was the greatest American of his time. Why not showcase him facing the greatest American dilemma of all time? Why not use the civil rights revolution as a window into his soul? Did he do the right thing? How did he view African-Americans? Was he slow to act? If so, why?"

Pipes is president of The Pipes Company, a corporate consultant firm.  Before forming his own company, he was a speech writer for President George W. Bush and Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.  He also was the chief author of the 2004 Republican National platform.