A PRESIDENT'S ODYSSEY

United Press International reporter at the White House since 1941, Mr. Smith presents a combination account of all of ""Ike's"" foreign good will tours with the background of the preparations for them as well as the incidents that occurred. From the ""first major diplomatic diplomacy"" begun in Bonn to the touchy situation in the Orient swing, this newspaperman, as one of the party, draws on his private diaries as well as the public prints to fill in the picture, shows the tremendous personal appeal that affected the crowds, as well as the leaders, in so many countries, and re-records Ike's speeches and their effects. From the European to the ""Indian"" trip, with its 23,000 miles and 11 countries visited, to the South American, the unpleasant summit meetings and the tense moments of the Pacific circle, there are the receptions by the crowds, the atmosphere of the places, the problems of protection, always the tight schedules that had their effect on Ike as well as his entourage, and the variety of incidents, good -- and bad -- that occurred. This is coverage that is an accompaniment for books of political analysis in its at-the-moment reporting and personal accounting. Bad timing.