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sallyavena's review
5.0
This was the first book I read by McCullough and I've liked his writing ever since. It's a massive book that I challenged myself with at the end of high school. The thing I remember most though is the comment from and elderly aunt, made when she saw what I was reading. She asked, "Why would you ever want to read a book about that man?"(Imagine the tone she said it in). I never asked her why not, I just said it seemed interesting. To this day I wonder what she had against Truman.
xxstefaniereadsxx's review
informative
slow-paced
4.0
Harry S Truman was born in 1884 in Missouri. He was a member of the National Guard, and wound up serving in World War I. After his service, he entered the political world, becoming a Senator. Eventually, he was elected as Vice President, but soon gained the Presidency upon the death of FDR. This book holds a wealth of information about Truman's life and activities. I thoroughly enjoy the biographies written by this author and have had this one on my shelf for quite some time. I wanted to read a biography about each US President, as I am not terribly interested in US History and am lacking in knowledge about some historical figures here. I was very pleased with this book.
lorna_krist's review
5.0
What an extraordinary American, full of integrity, vitality, and rock solid character! I am thrilled to have spent time reading his remarkable story.
livruther's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
4.0
this is an objectively good biography. truly a feat of journalism and authorship. but it was so long. like so long. like quite literally the longest single book i’ve ever read. idk exactly where, but i believe in the depth of my soul that some parts of this could have been trimmed down/cut out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Racial slurs, Racism, and War
jenniferstringer's review
5.0
Phew. That was an undertaking. I understand why this got the Pulitzer. I've read several other of his books, and I believe this is McCullough's masterpiece. And, after visiting the Truman Museum/Library and seeing the rooms of documents that McCullough would have had to read through, assess, organize and explain, I am thoroughly impressed.
Nearly every time I read a biography of a president, that president becomes my new favorite. What I am coming to learn is that each faced unique challenges and were men of their time. Truman had dire choices to make, after being thrown into circumstances not of his own creating. He stood by and lived with them, but always remembered the consequences. What I think I most appreciated about him, especially in our hyper-political times, is how he simply asked himself, " is this the best we can do for the American people?" rather than "what will this do to my party?" My favorite quote was "It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit."
Nearly every time I read a biography of a president, that president becomes my new favorite. What I am coming to learn is that each faced unique challenges and were men of their time. Truman had dire choices to make, after being thrown into circumstances not of his own creating. He stood by and lived with them, but always remembered the consequences. What I think I most appreciated about him, especially in our hyper-political times, is how he simply asked himself, " is this the best we can do for the American people?" rather than "what will this do to my party?" My favorite quote was "It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit."