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4.36 AVERAGE
4.36 AVERAGE
slow-paced
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Great biography. Very detailed. I was expecting the bomb decision to be a bigger part of his life. But it was so obvious to him and those around him that they should use the bomb that it just wasn't that much of a labored decision. I don't know what I would have done. But it is just a sliver of his whole life.
After nearly four months of reading, I have finally completed the epic mega book that is "Truman" by David McCullough. Coming in at nearly 1,000 pages it is by far the longest book I've ever read and only the first book I've read dedicated to a single president. While I had hoped to use the newly-gained knowledge on a trip to Independence, MO to the Truman Library in early June, it ended up not working out and completing the book became simply a quest for knowledge. Needless to say, this book is incredibly extensive covering both pre and post-presidencies in at a quicker pace, while stretching Truman's near 8-year presidency over a large chunk of the middle.
Aside from the obvious upper-hand in all Truman-related trivia from here on out, the book provided me with a masterful glimpse into a man I knew hardly anything about. Sure, I knew Truman’s middle name stood simply for “S” and that he succeeded the dead President Roosevelt in 1945, but such historical chapters as the atomic bomb, the beginning of the cold war, and Korea were largely unknown. I came away with an understanding that Truman was an everyman. He wasn’t a “career” politician; he only entered politics when he was 50(!). Here was a guy that ended up in the nation’s highest office by complete misfortune (I absolutely do not think he could have become president any other way); and did a heck of a job in office. Though, at the end of his administration, he was meddling at best in popularity history has been kind to him. Especially given his handling of Korea; refusing to drop nuclear weapons, and preventing the spread of communism in Asia. Sure, he could have handled certain things better, and he lacked the gusto and prestige of a Roosevelt. But he rose to the occasion when called and delivered one of the better administrations of the 20th century.
Now onto the next one.
Aside from the obvious upper-hand in all Truman-related trivia from here on out, the book provided me with a masterful glimpse into a man I knew hardly anything about. Sure, I knew Truman’s middle name stood simply for “S” and that he succeeded the dead President Roosevelt in 1945, but such historical chapters as the atomic bomb, the beginning of the cold war, and Korea were largely unknown. I came away with an understanding that Truman was an everyman. He wasn’t a “career” politician; he only entered politics when he was 50(!). Here was a guy that ended up in the nation’s highest office by complete misfortune (I absolutely do not think he could have become president any other way); and did a heck of a job in office. Though, at the end of his administration, he was meddling at best in popularity history has been kind to him. Especially given his handling of Korea; refusing to drop nuclear weapons, and preventing the spread of communism in Asia. Sure, he could have handled certain things better, and he lacked the gusto and prestige of a Roosevelt. But he rose to the occasion when called and delivered one of the better administrations of the 20th century.
Now onto the next one.
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
“Since childhood at my mother’s knee, I have believed in honor, ethics and right living as its own reward.”
Review of Truman by David McCullough
This was a long but very enjoyable reading!
It was very interesting reading about Harry Truman; he led a very interesting life and it is comparable to the reading of great figures like Cato the Younger (I recommend you read ‘Rome's Last Citizen’ by Rob Goodman and Jimmy Soni), you learn many lessons about truly good people keeping true to their “honor, ethics and right living.” Being notable for the good things he did but also very notable for the bad things he didn’t do.
What I disliked about Truman was that he was a Zionist and a Freemason, although there were many people putting pressure on him to recognize Israel.
The edition I have (paperback) contains glossy paper with pictures in 3 places in the book; those are really nice and complement the events. My only criticism of them is that they’re placed before the events happened in the book, so that if you aren’t familiar with Truman, they contain some spoilers as to what happens in the next sections.
Even as a European, this was still so fascinating and inspiring to read, as Truman is an example of what amazing things can happen to an honest man who nearly never abuses his enormous power. And the additional struggles that he faces because of his fairness and low wealth, like not having sufficient money as a retired president, unlike most presidents and statesmen that already start and surely end up wealthy after office.
An interesting topic was also his approval ratings, swinging from really high (87%) to really low (22%), which was strange seeing the feats accomplished, like standing firm in foreign policy and a booming post-war economy. Today he is ranked high, among the top 5–10 United States presidents.
I absolutely recommend people interested in history and self-improvement to read this book. I really enjoyed reading it and overall loved the way it’s written. I will try to keep in mind the many lessons Truman embodies, like I mentioned his fairness, work ethic, and doing what’s right no matter the influence on his popularity, personal career and wealth.
I’m grateful to David McCullough for writing this incredible biography, and to the Truman family and others for keeping detailed records of events and saving letters to make this history of Harry Truman possible.
Some parts that stood out to me:
“You must be frank with the world; frankness is the child of honesty and courage. Say just what you mean to do on every occasion, and take it for granted you mean to do right….Never do anything wrong to make a friend or keep one; the man who requires you to do so, is clearly purchased at a sacrifice. Deal kindly, but firmly with all your classmates; you will find it the policy which wears best. Above all do not appear to others what you are not.” (p. 44)
“Harry, try as he might, had no heart for trade. As he would later explain to Bessie Wallace, “When I buy a cow for $30 and then sell her to someone for $50 it always seems to me that I am really robbing that person of $20.”” (p. 62)
“Since childhood at my mother’s knee, I have believed in honor, ethics and right living as its own reward. I find a very small minority who agree with me on that premise.” (p. 185)
“He saw the country’s unemployment and unrest as the fault of too much concentration of power and population, too much bigness in everything. The country would be better off if 60 percent of all the assets of all insurance companies were not concentrated in four companies. A thousand insurance companies, with $4 million each in assets, would be a thousand times better for the country than the Metropolitan Life, with its $4 billion in assets. Just as a thousand towns of 7,000 people were of more value than one city of 7 million.” (p. 233)
“He was notable too for so much that he was not. He was not florid or promiscuous. He made no pretense at being superior in any regard. He did not seem to need the limelight, flattery, or a following. He did not want to be the president.” (p. 282)
“There was little subtle about Truman. He was never remote, rarely ever evasive. He had been raised on straight answers by people who nearly always meant what they said.” (p. 328)
“Truman considered Hoover and the FBI a direct threat to civil liberties, and he made no effort now, as Roosevelt had, to ingratiate himself with Hoover—as Hoover saw at once and found infuriating.” ““We want no Gestapo or Secret Police,” Truman would write in his diary after only a month as President. “FBI is tending in that direction.”” (p. 367)
“If I can prevent [it], there’ll be no NKVD [Sovjet Secret Police] or Gestapo in this country, Edgar Hoover’s organization would make a good start toward a citizen spy system. Not for me…” (p. 553)
“…in a career you must learn to overcome the obstacles without blowing up. Always be nice to people who can’t talk back to you. I can’t stand a man or woman who bawls out underlings to satisfy an ego.” (p. 569)
“Truman later said, and at one cabinet meeting he reportedly grew so furious over the subject of jews that he snapped, “Jesus Christ couldn’t please them when he was on earth, so how could anyone expect that I would have any luck.”” (p. 599)
The following quote proves our present day “democracy” is shifting more and more to a totalitarian state:
“Communism is based on the belief that man is so weak and inadequate that he is unable to govern himself, and therefore requires the rule of strong masters.
Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with reason and fairness.
Communism subjects the individual to arrest without lawful cause, punishment without trial, and forced labor as the chattel of the state. It decrees what information he shall receive, what art he shall produce, what leaders he shall follow, and what thoughts he shall think.
Democracy maintains that government is established for the benefit of the individual, and is charged with the responsibility for the benefit of the individual, and is charged with the responsibility of protecting the rights of the individual and his freedom in the exercise of those abilities…” (p. 730)
Dean Acheson about Truman:
“And then he was so fair, He didn’t make different decisions with different people. He called everyone together. You were all heard and you all got the answer together. He was a square dealer all the way through.” (p. 755)
“He was not one to worry about decisions, once made, he told a reporter…” (p. 784)
“Always do right. It will please some people and astonish the rest.” (p. 958)
This was a long but very enjoyable reading!
It was very interesting reading about Harry Truman; he led a very interesting life and it is comparable to the reading of great figures like Cato the Younger (I recommend you read ‘Rome's Last Citizen’ by Rob Goodman and Jimmy Soni), you learn many lessons about truly good people keeping true to their “honor, ethics and right living.” Being notable for the good things he did but also very notable for the bad things he didn’t do.
What I disliked about Truman was that he was a Zionist and a Freemason, although there were many people putting pressure on him to recognize Israel.
The edition I have (paperback) contains glossy paper with pictures in 3 places in the book; those are really nice and complement the events. My only criticism of them is that they’re placed before the events happened in the book, so that if you aren’t familiar with Truman, they contain some spoilers as to what happens in the next sections.
Even as a European, this was still so fascinating and inspiring to read, as Truman is an example of what amazing things can happen to an honest man who nearly never abuses his enormous power. And the additional struggles that he faces because of his fairness and low wealth, like not having sufficient money as a retired president, unlike most presidents and statesmen that already start and surely end up wealthy after office.
An interesting topic was also his approval ratings, swinging from really high (87%) to really low (22%), which was strange seeing the feats accomplished, like standing firm in foreign policy and a booming post-war economy. Today he is ranked high, among the top 5–10 United States presidents.
I absolutely recommend people interested in history and self-improvement to read this book. I really enjoyed reading it and overall loved the way it’s written. I will try to keep in mind the many lessons Truman embodies, like I mentioned his fairness, work ethic, and doing what’s right no matter the influence on his popularity, personal career and wealth.
I’m grateful to David McCullough for writing this incredible biography, and to the Truman family and others for keeping detailed records of events and saving letters to make this history of Harry Truman possible.
Some parts that stood out to me:
“You must be frank with the world; frankness is the child of honesty and courage. Say just what you mean to do on every occasion, and take it for granted you mean to do right….Never do anything wrong to make a friend or keep one; the man who requires you to do so, is clearly purchased at a sacrifice. Deal kindly, but firmly with all your classmates; you will find it the policy which wears best. Above all do not appear to others what you are not.” (p. 44)
“Harry, try as he might, had no heart for trade. As he would later explain to Bessie Wallace, “When I buy a cow for $30 and then sell her to someone for $50 it always seems to me that I am really robbing that person of $20.”” (p. 62)
“Since childhood at my mother’s knee, I have believed in honor, ethics and right living as its own reward. I find a very small minority who agree with me on that premise.” (p. 185)
“He saw the country’s unemployment and unrest as the fault of too much concentration of power and population, too much bigness in everything. The country would be better off if 60 percent of all the assets of all insurance companies were not concentrated in four companies. A thousand insurance companies, with $4 million each in assets, would be a thousand times better for the country than the Metropolitan Life, with its $4 billion in assets. Just as a thousand towns of 7,000 people were of more value than one city of 7 million.” (p. 233)
“He was notable too for so much that he was not. He was not florid or promiscuous. He made no pretense at being superior in any regard. He did not seem to need the limelight, flattery, or a following. He did not want to be the president.” (p. 282)
“There was little subtle about Truman. He was never remote, rarely ever evasive. He had been raised on straight answers by people who nearly always meant what they said.” (p. 328)
“Truman considered Hoover and the FBI a direct threat to civil liberties, and he made no effort now, as Roosevelt had, to ingratiate himself with Hoover—as Hoover saw at once and found infuriating.” ““We want no Gestapo or Secret Police,” Truman would write in his diary after only a month as President. “FBI is tending in that direction.”” (p. 367)
“If I can prevent [it], there’ll be no NKVD [Sovjet Secret Police] or Gestapo in this country, Edgar Hoover’s organization would make a good start toward a citizen spy system. Not for me…” (p. 553)
“…in a career you must learn to overcome the obstacles without blowing up. Always be nice to people who can’t talk back to you. I can’t stand a man or woman who bawls out underlings to satisfy an ego.” (p. 569)
“Truman later said, and at one cabinet meeting he reportedly grew so furious over the subject of jews that he snapped, “Jesus Christ couldn’t please them when he was on earth, so how could anyone expect that I would have any luck.”” (p. 599)
The following quote proves our present day “democracy” is shifting more and more to a totalitarian state:
“Communism is based on the belief that man is so weak and inadequate that he is unable to govern himself, and therefore requires the rule of strong masters.
Democracy is based on the conviction that man has the moral and intellectual capacity, as well as the inalienable right, to govern himself with reason and fairness.
Communism subjects the individual to arrest without lawful cause, punishment without trial, and forced labor as the chattel of the state. It decrees what information he shall receive, what art he shall produce, what leaders he shall follow, and what thoughts he shall think.
Democracy maintains that government is established for the benefit of the individual, and is charged with the responsibility for the benefit of the individual, and is charged with the responsibility of protecting the rights of the individual and his freedom in the exercise of those abilities…” (p. 730)
Dean Acheson about Truman:
“And then he was so fair, He didn’t make different decisions with different people. He called everyone together. You were all heard and you all got the answer together. He was a square dealer all the way through.” (p. 755)
“He was not one to worry about decisions, once made, he told a reporter…” (p. 784)
“Always do right. It will please some people and astonish the rest.” (p. 958)
adventurous
informative
reflective
slow-paced
David McCullough’s Truman is, in every sense of the word, a masterpiece. A historical journey that transcends mere biography, this book offers a window into the life of one of America’s most pivotal and misunderstood presidents.
McCullough's unparalleled narrative skill transforms Harry S. Truman from a distant figure in history to a relatable, deeply human leader. The depth of his research and the clarity with which he brings Truman’s character and decisions to life is nothing short of awe-inspiring.
McCullough's unparalleled narrative skill transforms Harry S. Truman from a distant figure in history to a relatable, deeply human leader. The depth of his research and the clarity with which he brings Truman’s character and decisions to life is nothing short of awe-inspiring.
Having read all of McCullough's other works, I can confidently say that Truman stands as one of his finest achievements. From John Adams to The Wright Brothers, McCullough’s meticulous storytelling and devotion to historical accuracy have always been apparent. But Truman is special—it’s not just a recounting of historical events but a profound exploration of a man who, despite his modest beginnings, would go on to change the course of history.
The book is an emotional journey, a labor of love, in which McCullough immerses us in Truman's inner struggles, moral dilemmas, and unwavering sense of duty. It’s clear that McCullough had a deep respect for Truman, and this respect comes through in every page, every sentence.
The book is an emotional journey, a labor of love, in which McCullough immerses us in Truman's inner struggles, moral dilemmas, and unwavering sense of duty. It’s clear that McCullough had a deep respect for Truman, and this respect comes through in every page, every sentence.
No wonder Truman won the Pulitzer Prize—McCullough’s gift for narrative history shines brightly here. It’s not just the events of Truman’s life that are captivating, but the way McCullough draws us into the emotional and moral complexities of his presidency. He captures Truman's courage and the weight of the decisions he faced—especially during the end of World War II and the early days of the Cold War—without ever turning Truman into a saint or villain. This nuanced portrayal allows us to see Truman not just as a historical figure but as a man doing his best with the hand he was dealt.
David McCullough was truly a gem. His ability to bring history to life, to humanize the past, and to make complex figures accessible and relatable, is unparalleled. Truman stands as a testament to his greatness, a fitting tribute to a man whose legacy deserves to be remembered with reverence. McCullough is deeply missed, not only for his gift of storytelling but for the joy he brought to history lovers everywhere. His work will continue to live on, and Truman remains one of his finest, most enduring legacies.
Best biography I've read, nothing comes close.
Very thorough, quite interesting, detailed, and paints a great portrait of a certainly great man.
Very thorough, quite interesting, detailed, and paints a great portrait of a certainly great man.
"Truman" was an excellent book - a true twentieth century odyssey of a man of humble origins placed into extraordinary circumstances, who then rises to the task.
im gonna miss mr. truman. he had a strength of character and a willingness to do right no matter the cost that’s hard to find in higher office today. this was a behemoth of a book, but an honest and full portrayal of a president whose importance is often forgotten.
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced