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Summary: Historical Insight
Review: It is nearly impossible to fully understand the 20th Century without a clear insight to the presidency of Harry S. Truman. David McCullough writes a fair and accurate assessment of America in the midst of World War and on the verge of Cold War. If you have any interest in American history, politics, or evolution, this is a must read.
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Summary: A GREAT BOOK ABOUT A GREAT PRESIDENT BY A GREAT HISTORIAN!
Review: "Truman" is one of the most enjoyable non-fiction works I have ever read. While some of the below comments express bitterness towards Truman's presidency, they offer nothing to back up their problems. While McCullough generally takes a favorable position towards the president, he backs it up with facts. And don't be fooled: McCullough discusses Truman's weaknesses, faults, and mistakes. To say that the Truman Doctrine, Marshall Plan, creation of NATO, beginnings of civil rights, etc etc, were small or bad initiatives for a president would be a mistake. Read the book and decide for yourself!
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Summary: An Unreal Portrait
Review: Liberal Presidents -- even mediocre ones -- usually enjoy a revival. Conservatives, of course, do not: Coolidge, Reagan -- forget about it. Truman really was a very mediocre President. But McCullough has all but brought him icon status here. Of course, reading this is great fun. Fantasy often is.
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Summary: The Cult of Truman
Review: Yea, it's well written. But this book is essentially -- as the worshipful tone of most of the comments below implies -- a popular amusement. Check out the substance of the reviews that follow. These folks are looking for a hero. And they find the colorful "give 'em hell Harry" straight--talkin' feistiness titillating. The Truman cult is based on a myth, one which this book reinforces in good prose.
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Summary: Harry Truman...principled, but no FDR or Dwight Eisenhower
Review: A great biography of a not very great man. Acquitted himself rather well as president, though he brought a certain shabbiness to the office with his no class, abrasive style. Credit a lot of FDR's people for the successes of his administration.He makes a great story though. Haberdasher becomes President. It is an American story. Truman knew he was not a great man. Perhaps that is his most endearing quality. He was not of FDR's caliber, and he did not pretend to be.
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Summary: McCullough portrays the best in the human spirit
Review: We all like to read about what human beings are capable of when they put their best foot forward. McCullough has championed this theme throughout his writing career. It is his hook on the reader, along with his considerable talent for writing good, clear prose. Harry Truman was not a great man. Combative and abrasive, he didn't have much class either, at least in the refined sense of the word. This book has been accused of being hagiographic with some justification. But who cares? McCullough is a national treasure who shows us the best in the human spirit. Truman was principled. He understood that the office was bigger than he was. That is an immensely refreshing quality by today's standards wherein ego trumps larger purpose.
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Summary: I wish I had met Harry Truman
Review: This is truly one of the best books I have ever read. I was 7 years old when HST died and my family moved to Missouri four years after his death. From about the middle of the book to the end, I kept thinking how wonderful it would have been to meet or see Mr. Truman. Being from Missouri since the age of ten I found much that was familiar and meaningful. I laughed, gasped and cried throughout the book. I keep telling everyone I know that they must read this book! I am planning a trip this spring to visit Independence with others in my family that have read the book. I did not want the book to come to an end and I am searching for other books by the same author. If you are not a non-fiction fan - this is a good place to start.
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Summary: Indeed, The Buck Does Stop Here
Review: Over the years I have read many biographies. None captures the essence of its subject as well as this one. Harry Truman was, indeed, a remarkable man. The author describes his modest beginnings,the son of a farmer to his military career, his days as a haberdasher and finally his entry into politics. Truman's character and integrity form the very core of this book. It was Harry Truman who gave the final order to drop "the bomb" on the Japanese and in one stroke ended the second world war. He was a man who was not afraid of going against the main stream and taking on public opinion. His "stick to itness" in taking on and firing second world war general Douglas MacArthur who in many peoples eyes had become a military icon of heroic proportions was an act of bravery that many of to-days politicians would never even consider. The absolute disdain he held for Senator Joseph McCarthy and his witch hunts during the "Red Scare" are another example of his sticking his jaw out in the face of public opinion and a mostly hostile press. Finally. after reading this book and marvelling at the man, I cant help but compare him to the "hopefulls" who are making a run at the White House in this Presidential Year. Alas,I see no Harry Trumans.
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Summary: Awesome biography
Review: I have often heard about this book and the accolades for it are well deserved. Before reading it, I was never particularly interested in Truman. But after I read this immense project, I realized Truman's genius. McCullough details Truman's rise from an ordinary farmer, to WWI officer, to haberdasher, to local judge, to Congressmen, to VP, to President, and ends with a discussion of Truman's active retirement. The book is a beautiful narrative. The writing is exceptional. McCullough is not only capable of bringnig Truman to life but to brilliantly drawnig the historical events and people who inspired Truman and were fortunate enough to live in the same era as him. Although long, this biography is never boring nor dry. I look forward to McCullough's biography on John Adams which is due out in the next couple of years.
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Summary: Excellent!
Review: I just finished this awesome endeavor by McCullough. I had always admired Harry Truman (even though I am a conservative Republican) for being such a descisive President. McCullough underscores this facet of Truman's personality and highlights the loyalty, dependability, and dedication to the country that tipified his Presidency and his life. This book truly made me wish that Mr. Truman were running for President in 2000!
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