Product Description

This biography of Harry Truman goes beyond the traditional portrait of the "ordinary man" to present an extraordinary American President. Drawing on archival material and extensive interviews, McCullough chronicles Truman's boyhood in Missouri, his entry into politics and his surprising success as a US senator. But it is Truman's emergence as a decisive and confident President that forms the heart of this book. McCullough casts new light on Truman's character and motivations, and shows how he set the course of politics and policy for the next 40 years. This book won the Pulitzer Prize for Biography in 1993.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #42884 in Books
• Published on: 1993-10-28
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 1120 pages

Customer Reviews

A Great American
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 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

A Great American
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

The best historical biography I've ever read.
I knew I would enjoy this book because I'd read about the period and was predisposed to admire Truman as the most human and honest of politicians.I did not anticipate that Iwould find this quite the best historical biography I've read.Immensely detailed,superbly judicious,incredibly enthralling even though you know what will happen next.A book to re-read and treasure.Read this and you might regain a little faith in politics and politicians!But perhaps he was unique-McCullough's wonderful book is worthy of its fascinating subject.