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Summary: The Integrity Of The Man
Review: Having finished this biography recently, I am compelled to agree with General George Marshall's assessment of Harry S. Truman, and one that is put in context by the fact that Marshall "never complimented the people with whom he worked. It was not his way." (pg. 614)Marshall, who rarely attended such events, delivered the following at Harry Truman's birthday party, May 8th, 1948: "The full stature of this man will only be proven by history, but I want to say here and now that there has never been a decision made under this man's administration, affecting policies beyond our shores, that has not been in the best interest of this country. It is not the courage of these decisions that will live, but the integrity of the man." This book is just simply a masterpiece, about one of the most important leaders of the 20th Century. McCullough cannot receive enough praise for what he's done.
Rating:
Summary: A very worthwhile read about a fascinating man
Review: When building my personal library, I've always striven to aquire books that I could easily and willingly re-read. David McCullough's rich biography of one of our most colorful Presidents warrants such an evaluation. I have currently read this fascinating and entertaining history of populist American Politics three times and am eagerly awaiting time for the fourth. McCullough manages to wear many hats as he paints Truman's portrait. He is scholarly, critical, evaluative, praising and holistic while writing this biography as though it is an entertaining and escapist novel. As all successful biographies, McCullough places his subject within the larger historical contex thusly allowing the reader a broader spectrum of reference. America of the first half of the twentieth century grew at a cataclysmic pace and at the center of it was "the walking President". Explorations of Populist Political Machines, The Two World Wars, Business and Agricultural practices and a detailed depiction of making a President coupled with a very detailed character study of a man who rose in a few short years of public life to the world's highest office make for a great read. Believe the all the other glowing reviews and add this to your library.
Rating:
Summary: Believe the hype!
Review: An astonishing achievement, this book captures the life and times of an outstanding President and fascinating man. Everything is in here -- excitement, global drama, even romance. Absolutely an unforgettable book about an unforgettable, humble man of tremendous character. There isn't a dull page, and you can't help wishing Harry (or at least someone like him) were around in Washington today.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding!
Review: "Truman" tells the most amazing story about simple Harry S. Truman. David McCullough has done a remarkable job with the style in which the book was written. Not only does the book flow along quickly, but also leaves the eager for more. Soon you find it is three in the morning and you cannot put the book down. McCullough's experience as a historian is shown clear as day with this book. "Truman" is a terrific read for anyone. Be it the history buff or Average Joe citizen. One cannot help but be spellbound with this amazing story of the simple man from Missouri.
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Summary: This is the BEST book I have ever read!
Review: I read this book two years ago during a Christmas vacation. At first, I was intimidated by the sheer size of the book. However, I found that once I started reading it, I couldn't put it down! David McCullough is, perhaps, the best American historical biographer alive today. His writing is crisp, clean, and entertaining. I have to admit that before I started this book, I was pretty ignorant about who Harry S Truman was as a person, as well as the contributions that he made to the United States and to the world as President. I was absolutely STUNNED to learn how influential and accomplished Truman was during his presidency. Truman left a legacy of good works that still impact the world in which we live today. Like one earlier reviewer wrote, I too had always been looking for a hero, someone who came from humble beginnings and made a lasting impact on the world in which he lived. I found that hero in the pages of David McCullough's book. As I finished the last page of this book, I felt like both crying (because I was saying goodbye to a friend that I had grown to love), and cheering (because I had found my American Hero in Harry S Truman). This book should be a must-read for every American!
Rating:
Summary: Moving
Review: The question who is the greatest United States President depends on the political philosophy of the reader. There can however be little doubt that Truman was one of the most remarkable men to be elected to that office. In reality Truman's rise to the office was a freak. He was a man who had a mediocre career. Initially he ran a business that failed. He volunteered for military service in the First World War at the age of 33. After the war he worked as a minor elected official nominally called a "judge" but in fact his responsibility was more like that of a bureaucrat. Later in life he became a senator and attracted some attention because of his role on a Senate Committee looking into the war effort. His selection by Roosevelt as a running mate surprised most people and was related to short term political considerations rather than anything suggesting that Truman was of any political importance. One would think that with such a background Truman would have been overwhelmed by the responsibility of office. Yet he never was, faced by difficulties difficult to imagine he mastered the office and with a self-assurance that was amazing set about doing what he thought was right. And in the end just about everything he did was the right thing to do. After Roosevelt's death he had to make his first big decision and that was whether to use Atomic weapons. Looking at the issue objectively the fire raids prior to the dropping of the two atomic bombs were probably as destructive to human life as the nuclear bombs but that is an easy thing to say in hindsight. Truman had to weigh up the cost of using the weapons and look at if it would save lives. The use of the bombs has been debated but in reality it probably not only saved American but also Japanese lives. An invasion could have resulted not only in the deaths of American servicemen but also it would have been likely that the Japanese military could have killed many of their own civilians as they did in the Marinas. At the conclusion of the war Truman then had to deal with the Soviet Union through the Berlin blockade and the early years of the cold war. Roosevelt had to fight a war against Germany and Japan. Both of those countries had comparatively small populations with limited industrial capacity. The Soviet Union had an immense field army that had just been victorious in the greatest land battle of all time. It had swallowed Eastern Europe and China was about to undergo communist revolution bringing the worlds most populous nation into its orbit. Combined with the seriousness of the military threat there were the difficulties of realizing that a former ally was now an enemy. Truman again had no problems in realizing the danger and acting appropriately. Not only was Truman willing to measure up to the Russians he was responsible for the Marshall Plan the basis on which the reconstruction of modern Europe was based. By 1948 he faced his first presidential election. He faced a hostile press and it was universally thought that he would lose. He pulled of the last of the whistle stop elections were his ability to speak to voters and to galvanize them to his side led to a narrow victory. For his last four years he faced a hostile congress. He was then faced by the Korean war and problems with his supreme commander McAurthur. In the end he sacked McAurthur a person with immense popularity and prestige because of his failure to obey orders. Other countries tend to be skeptical of their leaders. The United States has always tended to have a reverence for the office of presidency that exists beyond party politics. Truman is one of the Presidents who stood so tall that his memory is cherished as being an ordinary man who could show that intelligence and decency can get one through. It in some ways would be difficult to write a dull book about such a story. McCullough's book is not dull and it writes about Truman in a respectful and intelligent way. A must read for anyone who is interested in American history or the cold war.
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Summary: In-depth Biography of the Best President of the 20th Century
Review: This biography of Truman is one of the best biographies I've read - period. McCullough's writing style is enjoyable, his research exact, and his assessment of Truman fair, even if glowing. While his praise of Truman is undeniable, he also brings out Truman's weaknesses and biases - and there were clear ones. McCullough doesn't try to demonstrate that Truman was a better president than FDR, but reading this book confirmed my suspicions that, given the choice, Truman was a more genuine, efficient, and, in particular, more decisive figure than the man he replaced. Despite his relatively poor communication skills, Truman comes through as the right man at the right time. McCullough shows how Truman was faced with one excruciating decision after another in an uncertain era, and made all the right choices. One shudders to think of how American history could have been much darker had Henry Wallace or James Byrnes, the two men Truman beat out in becoming vice-president, had succeeded FDR.
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Summary: Wonderfully written book about President Truman
Review: This is a must read for anyone interested in American politics. For those not in the privileged classes, it's an inspiring story of how any American can rise to the highest office of the country and, in this case, prove to be a great leader.
Rating:
Summary: A Gem from a Tremendous Writer
Review: David McCullough is simply one of the best non-fiction writers active today. This book is long, but is actually a quick read. As a historian, I generally do not enjoy biographies because their writers often fall in love with their subject and lose objectivity. McCullough may be guilty of this as well. The writing is engaging, though, and never dry. It is extremely well documented and factual. Those interested in learning about Truman will be pleasantly surprised to find a politician with a high standard of ethics. He is a joy to read about in this age of spin doctors and amoral politicians.
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Summary: Harry S. Truman brought honor to the presidency
Review: Having read and enjoyed several David McCullough books I was at first intimidated by the 1,000 page size of this tome. But in usual McCullough style it was a real page-turner (for three weeks) and I could not stop except to work and sleep until I had finished. This is a truly intriguing story about Harry S. Truman and his presidency. Numerous other reviews on the site can give you a review of the content and I will not repeat that here but assure you this is a story well worth your time to read. It puts the likes of William Jefferson Clinton to shame. We as Americans could not do much better than to elect the likes of Harry Truman to the highest office of the land. I do not subscribe to the Democratic liberal philosophy and certainly would disagree with much of Harry Truman's "Fair Deal" legislative programs, but indeed he was a great President and even greater American. Do not let the 1,000 page size keep you from enjoying this must read book.
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