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Summary: The Best book on Truman
Review: You fell like a better American to know that a country produced a man and leader like Truman. This should be a required text for all history students at the university level.
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Summary: The character of Truman is a model for all of us today.
Review: The authors command of the english language his ability to carry us to another place brings Truman alive. The character of the man puts our political leaders to shame in comparison, even given his strong political beliefs. This book is a great read for all interested in biographies and history
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Summary: Surprising for a biography, this was a page-turner.
Review: At first the size of this book can seem daunting. However, from the very first page I found it fascinating. For most of the 1,000 or so pages it read like a novel, a real page-turner. Because of the kind of time commitment necessary to read a book of this size, I read it in sections over a couple months, reading other things in between. Having lived through most of the significant events discussed in the book, I found them presented with accuracy. Mr. McCullough showed all sides of every significant conflict. The book gives a fascinating insight into the difficulties of public office and the setting of public policy. It also presents Harry S. Truman as a man of real integrity and one who will, in the long run, undoubtedly go down as one of our great presidents.
Throughout this book I was consistently impressed with Mr. Mccullough's writing style. Anyone who can keep the pages turning for 1,000 pages of biography is an extremely skilled writer!
I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in 20th century American history, but also to anyone interested in just plain good writing!
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Summary: The best biography I've ever read!
Review: Our family spent our summer vacation in the midwest, and while going through Independence decided to stop at the Harry S Truman home. While there I saw this book, thumbed through it for 10 minutes, and told my wife I had found my Father's Day present.
It is simply incredible. McCullough's ten years of research comes through on every page. I was only six when Truman died in '72, yet I feel as though I lived through those times. Many have been the nights that I've gotten to bed well after midnight because I was coming up on a big event, and couldn't bear to wait.
The style is powerful and intelligent, and quite objective. McCullough points out the good and the bad together with a very even hand.
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Summary: Warning: Do not start reading this book!
Review: Because once you start, you won't want to stop, and this book is nearly a thousand pages long! "Truman" is the greatest biography I've read, without exception. It traces the life of Harry Truman from well-scrubbed Midwestern boy to war hero, from failed haberdasher to President. Along the way, we come to root for the farmer's son from tiny Independence, Missouri, a man who said, "We can never tell what is in store for us." It is a book of morality, courage, and history. It will teach you more about leadership than a Stephen Covey seminar, and more about personal integrity than ten Sunday sermons. I finished it over six months ago, and it still affects the way I live.
And by the way, this summer my wife and I will spend our vacation visiting Independence, Missouri.
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Summary: The Mother of All Biographies
Review: When it comes to political biographies, David McCullough's Truman is THE best. There aren't any that compare. This is written by a great storyteller about a great and interesting man. When you are done with this book, you will feel as though you know Harry Truman. You'll know the story behind the "Buck Stops Here" sign that was on his desk for a short time and the "Give 'em Hell" slogan. The best part of this book is that it moves Truman out of the shadow of FDR and shines the spotlight directly on him. And Truman wins an Oscar, Tony, and Emmy all at once
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Summary: Inspiring!
Review: One of the best books I have ever read, and one of the greatest biographies. Deserves every bit of praise heaped on it.
Here's the story of a small farmer who grew up poor and ended up the most powerful man on the planet at a time when the world was radically changing. When he left office he retired without any government help (no secret service!) and lived off his army pension in the same house he grew up in. Truman seemed born to be a great leader, failing at everything he ever did -- except helping make America the greatest power of the 20th century.
Read it and it becomes an unforgettable story.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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