Dwight D. Eisenhower (1890 - 1969) was a five-star general in the US Army, the Supreme Commander of the Allied forces in Europe during World War II, and the 34th President of the United States, serving in that capacity from 1953 to 1961. Eisenhower's early military experiences were extensive though primarily administrative—he had no combat experience and never held an active command prior to 1942 in World War II. Subsequent to World War II, Eisenhower enjoyed an influential political career, though this is not developed in the book. Within the text, Eisenhower is often used as an example in support of various themes—his portrayal is similar to that of Churchill and Roosevelt, inasmuch as the three men are fairly abstracted leaders of politico-military systems.