Rating: 
Summary: Outstanding biography, about an outstanding man.
Review: This is a great book. It reminds me a bit of T. Harry Williams's Huey Long. A fantastic biography of my favorite president. This book is written in such a way that the reader begins to know the subject. Thats what a good biography should do. Get it and read it and enjoy it.
Rating: 
Summary: A superb read
Review: This is an excellent read. The upbeat writing holds attention with ease. Harry Truman comes to life in this suitably long book. Living through some of the fastest changing times in human history Truman's story is interesting of itself. That he became President of the USA and faced the nuclear bomb issue makes for fascinating and touchingly real political drama. The beginning of the cold war has a fresh perspective and complements Daniel Yergin's excellent 'Shattered Peace'. David McCullough is so good at describing people that his views of Churchill, Stalin and many other famous and important people of the day make for fascinating reading. A truly thought provoking read and above all eminently readable and enjoyable.
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Summary: Truman by David McCullough
Review: This is an outstanding book. It has changed my view of Truman as President considerably.
The only weakness of this book is that the publisher did not spend much money on the binding and it has come apart on me even though I have not finished my first reading of it. This is with the hard bound copy, which one would not expect
Rating:
Summary: Magnificent biography as well as work of general history.
Review: This review echoes many others concerning this book. It simply begs to be read from beginning to end. McCullough provides stunning insight in all periods of not only Trumans life, but the history surrounding it as well by providing pertinent background information that gives the reader a far greater appreciation for the decisions and unbelievable circumstances that influenced this period in history. The former sets this work apart from some others. McCullough attempts (and succeeds) in setting the record straight regarding later criticisms about Truman's personality, his decisions, his views, as well as about many individuals involved. The author in many instances tells both sides of particularly controversial issues and then drives home the truth by his impeccable research and evidence. Far from simply an apologetic though, we get a comprehensive overall look at the transition between times of the horse and carriage to atomic weapons. For anyone interested in history (which everyone should be, according to Truman) this book is absolutely essential reading. It represents a stunning work of history, and coupled with McCullough's gift of narration, a very enjoyable read.
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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.
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Summary: This would receive my vote for best biography of the decade.
Review: Too often, when biographies are written, the human quality of the subject is often forgotten, or at least not emphasized. As a result, at the end of a book, we really do not know the subject very well.Over the course of over 1,000 pages, David McCullough proves not only that Harry Truman was a great human being, but also that being a great human being made him a great president. It is a warm biography, and it skillfully analyses Truman's many failures in the business world, his involvement in a corrupt political machine, and his difficulties as president. Truman's personal qualities also show with his decisions with the atomic bomb (perhpas the hardest decision any president has had to make) and his firing of Douglas MacArthur. Harry Truman was the kind of fellow you admired as a grandfather, the kind of fellow you would want as a teacher or neighbor. But most of all, he deserves respect as a man--and David McCullough fantasticly succeeds in proving this. Also check out his other books, especially "The Johnstown Flood," his first book, and one of his best.
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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.
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