Truman

Rating:
Summary: A must read for leaders
Review: I picked this book for my Master's students to read. McCullough skillfully goes through Truman's life, lingering on the Presidency. I found his relationship with Churchill, Stalin, FDR, personal staff, and old friends fascinating. However, what I really found interesting was how Truman made his decisions. And how comfortable he was once the decision was made.

I recommend this book to anyone interested in leadership.

Rating:
Summary: Very good
Review: I was given this book for Christmas by my mother who things that I am interested in Presidential history simply because my cat is name "Truman". I wasn't going to read it, but got bored one rainy day. I have to admit, I really enjoyed it. It is a bit long and drags in certain spots (hence the 4 stars and not the five... I would give it 4 1/2 if that were an option). But it was extremely well written and told me things that were interesting and informative. For example, I didn't realize that Truman had connection to political "bosses". But then again, I suppose until I read this book, I didn't know a thing about Truman at all! Give the book a chance. You might like it.

Rating:
Summary: A man and a country grow into roles on the world stage.
Review: "Truman" is a fantastic biography and story. McCullough's choice of Truman as his subject was inspired. In writing a chronical of the man's life, he masterfully traces the United States' often reluctant emergence onto the world stage as a superpower. Harry S. Truman and the United States both begin this tale with no idea of the prominence that is in store for them. Both struggle with their acceptance of what their new roles require of them. Finally, both rise to the occasion and surpass expectations in their given role.

The book features McCullough's trademark, history written in prose that makes it as engaging as fiction. Anyone interested in biography or in the history of the United States should invest the time in this one. At 1,100 pages, it will take time, but it never feels long or tedious. Highly recommended.

Rating:
Summary: Fantastic insight into an important man and time in history
Review: What a fantastic book! When I first picked it up I knew almost nothing about Harry S Truman. I was initially a bit intimidated by the length, but was encouraged to read it by friends and family who also loved it. Am I glad I did! Reading this book has given me such respect and admiration for one of our country's greatest presidents. David McCullough gives a compelling account of Truman's life, from his boyhood, to his outstanding service in World War I, to the opening of a haberdashery, to the start of his political career. McCullough uses all sorts of sources, including some of the many thousands of letters Truman wrote to his wife. McCullough gives you a sense not only for Truman's public life and persona, but for his extraordinary character and heart.

This book is a long book - some 1,000 pages - but it is well worth the read. I was so engrossed in the story that I finished it within 3 days. This is one of my favorite books.

Rating:
Summary: Good not Great:
Review: Perhaps if I had read McCulloughs "Truman" before reading "John Adams" it would have struck me differently. Maybe by reading the books in close proximity I was still stuck in the 18th century and was not ready to be moved forward. Whatever it was, I did not enjoy this book with the same fervor as I did "John Adams". Most memorable and admirable to me was Trumans successful run for the Presidency against all odds. For a man who had risen to the top on Missouri's political party (Democrat) machinery and the sudden death of Roosevelt, he proved himself to be formidable in his own right by defeating the heavily favored (perhaps an understatement in itself) Dewey. Beyond that, I found instructive the fact that Truman never pondered whether he would use "the bomb" to bring a swift and definitive end to the 2nd world war. He was just waiting for the "thumbs up."


Rating:
Summary: THE BEST AND MOST READABLE OF THE TRUMAN BIOs
Review: This work is a true joy to read. McCullough, like his subject, Truman, has a knack for "telling it like it is." I have quite a number of Truman Biographies in my collection and have read several others. This by far, in my opinion is the best. The author has been very ballanced in his study of this leader, showing warts and all. He does it nicely though. Now I must admit to being a big fan of Truman so I am sure my assessment of this work is flavored by that liking. Nevertheless, I do feel I know good writing when I see it, and McCullough's style is extremely readable. I would very much recommend this work for anyone interested in the life of this great American President, and would recommend it for anyone wanting to begin a study of his life and, just as importantly, his times. I really fell you cannot go wrong with this work. Actually, this is one you will probably want to purchase, because, like me, you may want to give it more than just one reading.

Rating:
Summary: A brilliant book about one of our finest
Review: David McCullough's "Truman" has won many accolades and awards, chief among them the Pulitzer Prize. After reading this wonderful book from cover to cover in less than a week, I'm convinced that this book deserves all of the praise it has received, and more.

"Truman" is the ultimate, complete package in a presidential biography. Even a novice of 20th century history (this writer included) would have a list of important events that he or she would want to read about in a Truman bio. McCullough covers them all, and in detail: the decision to drop the atomic bomb, FDR's death and the transition to the Truman administration, the Potsdam conference, the creation of the United Nations, the Korean War, the firing of MacArthur, the 1948 election, his decision to not run in 1952, etc. McCullough touches all of the bases beautifully.

The highest compliment I can think to give McCullough for this book is the sense of balance in his writing and how he brings the president to life. Mostly absent from this book, thankfully, that hamper other presidential biographies is the cheerleading and bootlicking. The author isn't a Truman admirer who puts a positive spin on every significant event during Truman's presidency. It's obvious that McCullough thinks highly of Truman, but he grapples with the controversies of Truman without softpeddling, unlike Stephen Ambrose's one-volume "Eisenhower: Soldier & President," where Ambrose neglects important events and spends entirely too much time raining down praise on Ike.

This thoroughly researched book presents Truman in a fair and balanced manner, and much of that research is based on Truman's diaries. "Truman" covers the president's bad decisions as well as his good ones, with Harry's rationale behind those decisions.

I highly recommend this book and I believe it sits high atop the heap of the many available presidential biographies. McCullough is one of America's finest historians. Buy this book, read it, and in the end, be disappointed that it's over.

Rating:
Summary: Harry Truman -- A Reluctant American Hero
Review: Imagine your boss drops by your cubicle and hands you a project in which the entire company's future hinges on the decisions you make. And oh by the way, you only have less than four months to do the calculations, read the reports, do the research and take firm and swift action.

Your colleagues and their family's well being hang in the balance. Your coworkers are skeptical of your new position and you know it. You are sleepless night after night. Your stomach churns. You are, obviously, under enormous stress.

Then the day finally comes and the entire firm watches your every move. There is clamoring you may not know what you are doing. Yet, you have to act. Do you have the guts to follow through with your convictions? Or do you shrink from the white-hot spotlight you've been placed in?

Welcome to Harry Truman's world between April and August of 1945.

Except it wasn't a mere company whose his decisions affected, it was the entire world.

"Truman" is a masterpiece of a president brought to power by happenstance. Author David McCullough brilliantly recounts the events leading up to how a former haberdasher rose to become most powerful man in the world. And tells a story of an individual who was thrusted into history as the one who made the executive decision to drop an Atomic Bomb to end a war.

Harry Truman knew very little about a secret underground experiment called the Manhattan Project during his first months of his vice presidency. By April 14, 1945, he only met his boss a handful of times. The next day, Franklin Roosevelt died and Harry Truman's name was etched in the collective consciousness of American history.

In just under four short months, Truman had to decide if his legacy would include the use of an Atomic weapon as a means to end a war. His decision has been debated for decades, but no one can argue it took leadership and guts to maintain clear thinking under pressure only he would ever know.

McCoullough documents the life and presidency of a simple, honest man. It's a story of a family man who was handed the most precarious presidency since George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. And how he led America during his eight years in office.

David McCullough won the Pulitzer Prize for "Truman". I can't imagine anyone who turned the over 1,000 pages could argue the award.







Rating:
Summary: A Great American
Review: It is crystal clear why author David McCullough was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for this 1992 publication of "Truman." His meticulous narrative vividly captures the decency, dignity and determination of Harry S. Truman. Moreover, McCullough carefully explains how the farmer from Grandview, Missouri...who never graduated from college, managed to become the thirty-third President of the United States of America.

Truman was eulogized as the president who faced the momentous decision of whether to use the atomic bomb, he was praised for the creation of the United Nations, for the Truman Doctrine (to support free peoples), the Marshall Plan, the Berlin Airlift, the recognition of Israel, NATO; for committing American forces in Korea and for upholding the principle of civilian control over the military. To this end, it must also be noted that Truman was the first president to recommend Medicare and that he had the courage to take a very strong stand on civil rights.

Truman was a man who lived by simple small-town Missouri articles of faith that urged individuals to, "say what you mean, mean what you say...keep your word...never get too big for your britches and never forget a friend." McCullough observes that, "they were more than words-to-the-wise, they were bedrock, as clearly established, as integral to the way of life, it seemed, as were the very landmarks of the community...not everyone lived up to them, of course, but to Harry it seemed everyone ought to try."

McCullough packs this book with an enormous amount of historical and personal information. For instance, Truman was the seventh man to succeed to the office after the death of the President...he was the first U.S.President to visit Mexico...he had a portrait of George Washington and Simon Bolivar in his White House office...he detested corporate greed...he was dedicated to his wife and daughter...he was a terrible speller...he was not an exciting speaker...he once worked in a haberdashery...he was in debt for years...he loved bourbon, he was uncomplicated, open and genuine...and without a doubt he was a great American. Highly recommended.

Bert Ruiz


Rating:
Summary: Audio Version Very Long & Very Good
Review: This book is over one thousand pages long while the audio is fifty-three hours long. The reason quite simply is that McCullough goes into great detail, often week-by-week and day-by-day. What is amazing is that it never gets boring! McCullough has emphasized Truman's own perspective, totally cutting out the middleman. There was a lot here I never really understood well, especially the importance of Truman as the paradigm for the second half of the 20th century was forming.
Nelson Runger does a GREAT reading job.