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Plain Speaking: an Oral Biography of Harry S Truman
That plainest speaker of all, Harry S. Truman, comes to us alive, magically alive, in his own words and those closest to him, words masterfully elicited by Merle Miller. Plain Speaking is an evocation of one of America's great Presidents. It also details the critical events and the crucial background facts that marks some of the most momentous decades in modern American life, the years of the Depression, the New Deal, World War II, the postwar era, the advent of Nixon and McCarthy. Merle Miller unerringly produces for us here Mr. Truman's revelations, reflections, and insights on the men and events from the Founding Fathers through to Hoover and up to Nixon. We laugh aloud, we rejoice, we are dismayed, perhaps we may even cry, for we are moved. History comes alive in a manner so personal that few will put this book down without being emotionally charged.
480 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1974
About the author
Merle Miller
37 books25 followersMerle Miller, born in Montour, Iowa, wrote almost a dozen books, including more than half a dozen novels. His first, ''That Winter'' (1948), was considered one of the best novels about the postwar readjustment of World War II veterans. His other novels included ''A Day in Late September,'' set in suburban Connecticut on a Sunday in September 1960, ''The Sure Thing,'' ''Reunion,'' and his masterwork, the monumental "A Gay and Melancholy Sound" (1960).
Oral biographies accounted for his greatest success. The first of them, ''Plain Speaking: An Oral Biography of Harry S. Truman,'' was published in 1974. It was adapted from an abortive television series for which the former President spent many hours in the early 1960's talking with Miller, the researcher and writer for the project.
His Johnson biography, a book for which he conducted 180 interviews and consulted almost 400 oral histories, was a best seller in 1980. Although he said he began the biography disliking the former President, in part because Miller was an outspoken opponent of the Vietnam War, he ended up appreciating Mr. Johnson's parliamentary achievements and calling him ''one of the most complex, fascinating Presidents of all time.''
In 1971, Miller wrote a widely discussed essay for The New York Times Magazine, ''What It Means to Be a Homosexual,'' which, he said, brought him more than 2,000 letters, many of them from other homosexuals thanking him for helping to restore their self-respect. This article, and the enlarged book published from it, "On Being Different," made Miller the first nationally-known advocate for gay rights. He closely followed that famous essay with the novel "What Happened," fictionalizing some of his own horrific life experiences which lay behind the NYT essay.
Miller attended the University of Iowa and spent a year at the London School of Economics. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1942 and served as an editor of Yank magazine, in both the Pacific and in Europe, until his discharge in September 1945. He worked briefly as an editor at Time and Harper's magazines.
Oral biographies accounted for his greatest success. The first of them, ''Plain Speaking: An Oral Biography of Harry S. Truman,'' was published in 1974. It was adapted from an abortive television series for which the former President spent many hours in the early 1960's talking with Miller, the researcher and writer for the project.
His Johnson biography, a book for which he conducted 180 interviews and consulted almost 400 oral histories, was a best seller in 1980. Although he said he began the biography disliking the former President, in part because Miller was an outspoken opponent of the Vietnam War, he ended up appreciating Mr. Johnson's parliamentary achievements and calling him ''one of the most complex, fascinating Presidents of all time.''
In 1971, Miller wrote a widely discussed essay for The New York Times Magazine, ''What It Means to Be a Homosexual,'' which, he said, brought him more than 2,000 letters, many of them from other homosexuals thanking him for helping to restore their self-respect. This article, and the enlarged book published from it, "On Being Different," made Miller the first nationally-known advocate for gay rights. He closely followed that famous essay with the novel "What Happened," fictionalizing some of his own horrific life experiences which lay behind the NYT essay.
Miller attended the University of Iowa and spent a year at the London School of Economics. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1942 and served as an editor of Yank magazine, in both the Pacific and in Europe, until his discharge in September 1945. He worked briefly as an editor at Time and Harper's magazines.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
May 27, 2019
This is one of those books I’ve owned for years but hadn’t read yet. I thought I could clear a space in a book shelf for another book.
It turns out that it’s going back to its spot on the shelf. I enjoyed it so much, b/c you feel like you are talking to Mr. Truman throughout this book, which is based on a series of filmed interviews for a proposed television series in the early 60’s. The TV series never got aired, although months of filming were done, so Mr. Miller wrote this book based on the interviews. There are enjoyable discussions of all the highlights of Truman’s presidency, along w/ lots of colorful quotes. The book was published in 1974, at the height of Watergate, and Mr. Miller never misses an opportunity to contrast Mr. Truman w/ Mr. Nixon.
I’ve always been a fan of Harry’s, and am intimately familiar w/ the geographic area of the old Truman family farm, as I grew up close to the Truman Sports Complex in Raytown, MO, the KC suburb between Grandview (where the family farm was) and Independence (where Truman spent most of his long life). I remember visiting his library as a child, and seeing the news footage of him on a daily walk, usually on VE Day — his birthday, coincidentally— or Christmas.
Many of the folks interviewed for the series had remained Harry’s lifelong friends and all stated that being in Washington as a Senator, Vice President, and President didn’t change him in the least. He refused to lend his name, sit on any boards, or give lectures b/c he felt that would be profiting by his presidency, which would be wrong.
As badly as Harry hated Nixon, one can only imagine how he’d feel about Trump.
It turns out that it’s going back to its spot on the shelf. I enjoyed it so much, b/c you feel like you are talking to Mr. Truman throughout this book, which is based on a series of filmed interviews for a proposed television series in the early 60’s. The TV series never got aired, although months of filming were done, so Mr. Miller wrote this book based on the interviews. There are enjoyable discussions of all the highlights of Truman’s presidency, along w/ lots of colorful quotes. The book was published in 1974, at the height of Watergate, and Mr. Miller never misses an opportunity to contrast Mr. Truman w/ Mr. Nixon.
I’ve always been a fan of Harry’s, and am intimately familiar w/ the geographic area of the old Truman family farm, as I grew up close to the Truman Sports Complex in Raytown, MO, the KC suburb between Grandview (where the family farm was) and Independence (where Truman spent most of his long life). I remember visiting his library as a child, and seeing the news footage of him on a daily walk, usually on VE Day — his birthday, coincidentally— or Christmas.
Many of the folks interviewed for the series had remained Harry’s lifelong friends and all stated that being in Washington as a Senator, Vice President, and President didn’t change him in the least. He refused to lend his name, sit on any boards, or give lectures b/c he felt that would be profiting by his presidency, which would be wrong.
As badly as Harry hated Nixon, one can only imagine how he’d feel about Trump.
February 3, 2015
This is a fun read because it's like you're sitting next to Truman listening to an interview. You really get a sense for his personality. It's important to note that Miller conducted these interviews near the end of Truman's life--his recollections are not always totally accurate. David McCullough also comments that Truman was a bit more acerbic during the interviews (perhaps based on his age or a desire to make a point forcefully) than his overall history would suggest. But with its flaws, this is a great book to introduce Truman to a new reader or gain additional insights into this great man's life.
October 22, 2020
Several years ago, I visited the Truman Library in Independence, MO. I got to talking to a man staying at the same hotel about Harry Truman. He came to see the library also. He told me that Plain Speaking was the best book on Truman. He was not far from the truth. If you are new to the nation's 33rd president, I would recommend David McCullough's Truman. However, to get to the voice and personality of Truman, read, no, listen to this book.
Miller's book is like no other presidential biography I have ever read. Miller sat down with Truman to create a series of TV shows that never came to be. He took what he had recorded, transcribed it, mixed it with other interviews he had conducted, and came up with this amazingly insightful oral history. It felt as if I were sitting next to the former president as he would talk about his life, his presidency, and other presidents throughout history. With other books, I understood what and why Truman did what he did. With this book, I understand who Truman was. I highly recommend the Audible version of the book, read by Chris Ciulla. He does an incredible job capturing the tone and mannerisms of Truman's voice. It feels very real.
Now I'm waiting for the world to reopen, as well as the Truman Library to reopen as it is undergoing renovations. I'm sure as I make the 4 hour drive back to Independence, I will be listening to this audiobook again.
Miller's book is like no other presidential biography I have ever read. Miller sat down with Truman to create a series of TV shows that never came to be. He took what he had recorded, transcribed it, mixed it with other interviews he had conducted, and came up with this amazingly insightful oral history. It felt as if I were sitting next to the former president as he would talk about his life, his presidency, and other presidents throughout history. With other books, I understood what and why Truman did what he did. With this book, I understand who Truman was. I highly recommend the Audible version of the book, read by Chris Ciulla. He does an incredible job capturing the tone and mannerisms of Truman's voice. It feels very real.
Now I'm waiting for the world to reopen, as well as the Truman Library to reopen as it is undergoing renovations. I'm sure as I make the 4 hour drive back to Independence, I will be listening to this audiobook again.
August 20, 2012
Thanks to my Uncle Steve for dropping this off to me this summer. It was based on an in-depth set of interviews Miller did with Truman for a TV show that never came to be (the networks were not interested - can you imagine that happening now?). It has been said before, and I am thinking rightly after reading this, that Truman was the last regular guy in the presidency. He said he always did what he believed to be right, regardless of the criticism, trusting that the truth will eventually come out and people won't be fooled for long. I've been to his presidential library in Independence, and it is really worth a visit.
April 6, 2016
I loved this book. It was written in the last stage of Truman's life and it is occasionally cited as a primary source in other biographies and histories. Highly recommend.
August 15, 2009
Plain Speaking is an excellent book for anyone interested in Harry S. Truman. The author, Merle Miller not only interviews Truman but many of his contemporaries including a former teacher from Independence, Missouri and past Truman administration officials. The book is at its best when Truman describes how he fired former General Douglas Macarthur and why he was confident that he would beat Thomas Dewey in the 1948 election. One incident shows the peril in underestimating Truman. As President, Truman was challenged to respond to an obscure Latin phrase by the Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. Truman diplomatically informed the Chief Justice that his obscure Latin phrase was incorrect.
This book had meaning for me since a lot of my ancestors are from Missouri and reflect the ethics and values in Plain Speaking.
This book had meaning for me since a lot of my ancestors are from Missouri and reflect the ethics and values in Plain Speaking.
January 29, 2019
I loved this book so much. So inspiring and really makes me strive to be a more straightforward person and one who is confident in my own decisions. My dad was always a great admirer of Harry Truman and now I am, too. Wonderful!
August 20, 2023
This book is based on a series of interviews with Harry Truman and several people who interacted with him during his lifetime. Originally, it was meant to be a television series, but no networks picked it up. It is an entertaining read and provides the reader with how Truman and others viewed him over the years.
June 8, 2021
Plain Speaking straddles a line between autobiography and biography. It fits in neither slot. As autobiography, Mr. Truman speaks "his truth." As biography, the author and related others speak theirs.
Thoughts:
*The in-his-own-words biography makes Mr. Truman accessible rather than nothing more and definitely nothing less than the 33rd President of the United States.
*Definitely some "plain speaking" contained therein. I doubt any politician (much less president) would be quite as forthcoming today.
*History gets mentioned in brief with the assumption that you already know background details. Umm, not so much. On the other hand, I now certainly understand why Truman fired General McArthur:
*No photos of Mr. Truman through the years. A definite loss.
*Excellent organization starting with Truman's "happy childhood" (but no photos)
*The author Merle Miller could not be more of a fan of Truman if he tried.
Recommend: Well, someone recommended it to me, so I guess I should pass that recommendation along to others.
Thoughts:
*The in-his-own-words biography makes Mr. Truman accessible rather than nothing more and definitely nothing less than the 33rd President of the United States.
*Definitely some "plain speaking" contained therein. I doubt any politician (much less president) would be quite as forthcoming today.
*History gets mentioned in brief with the assumption that you already know background details. Umm, not so much. On the other hand, I now certainly understand why Truman fired General McArthur:
"I fired him because he wouldn't respect the authority of the President. I didn't fire him because he was a dumb son of a bitch, although he was, but that's not against the law for generals. If it was, half to three-quarters of them would be in jail."
*No photos of Mr. Truman through the years. A definite loss.
*Excellent organization starting with Truman's "happy childhood" (but no photos)
*The author Merle Miller could not be more of a fan of Truman if he tried.
Recommend: Well, someone recommended it to me, so I guess I should pass that recommendation along to others.
May 24, 2016
I really enjoyed reading this book. The only thing that kept it from being a higher rating is the possibility that Truman's quotes weren't accurate. In a few reviews I read it was stated that the book did not match the tapes that are being kept at the Truman library. I have not verified this myself, so don't know how true it is. That being said it was a delightful read. It seems very true to the picture I had developed in my mind after reading Truman by David McCullough.
The book consists of transcripts of taped interviews with Harry Truman made over a period of a couple of years in the 1960s with the intention of creating a series of TV episodes about Truman. The author also interviewed people that knew Truman in his childhood and during his time in the White House. The series did not happen and the interviews were then used to produce this book.
Taking in to account the possible inaccuracies of the transcripts and human memory, this is still a worthy read. It helps to complete a picture of a man who's service to his country is more appreciated now than at the time of his service.
The book consists of transcripts of taped interviews with Harry Truman made over a period of a couple of years in the 1960s with the intention of creating a series of TV episodes about Truman. The author also interviewed people that knew Truman in his childhood and during his time in the White House. The series did not happen and the interviews were then used to produce this book.
Taking in to account the possible inaccuracies of the transcripts and human memory, this is still a worthy read. It helps to complete a picture of a man who's service to his country is more appreciated now than at the time of his service.
December 30, 2021
This is possibly my new favorite book of all time. Miller’s “Plain Speaking” isn’t the most organized book, and it doesn’t have the most beautiful prose. But I think it’s the most authentic view of a former President in existence.
In his own words and those of his closest friends, family members, and colleagues, Truman’s life is comprehensively described in rich detail. One exchange that highlights the perspective that Miller captures in the book is Truman’s explanation as to why he fired General Douglas MacArthur: “I fired him because he wouldn't respect the authority of the
President. That's the answer to that. I didn't fire him because he was a dumb son of a bitch, although he was, but that's not against the law for generals.”
More generally, “Plain Speaking” provides countless examples of Truman’s compassion and talent as a leader. For example, Truman explained how he learned about the influence that the President has over people even in minor engagements. He describes how FDR treated him like an “office boy,” having him stopped on his drive home back to Independence to break a tie in the Senate. “But the whole thing taught me a lesson. People are always very nervous when they meet the President of the United States, and they can be…. they can have their feelings hurt if he is less than kind to them. And courteous. Courtesy is the cheapest thing in the world, and it's a wonder to me that people aren't that way more of the time.”
When explaining the value of humility, Truman explains: “I never had the notion that I was anything special at all; even when I got that job in the White House, I didn't. And I never had the notion that there weren't a lot of people who couldn't do whatever it was better than I could. But that never worried me. All that ever concerned me was that I wanted to do it as best I could. So I guess I’d have to say to that, to your question, that I always tried to be satisfied with what I was and what I was doing.”
In sum, “Plain Speaking” perfectly encapsulated everything I wanted to get out of a book about Truman. Anyone who wants to learn about the most under-appreciated President in American history would do well by reading it.
In his own words and those of his closest friends, family members, and colleagues, Truman’s life is comprehensively described in rich detail. One exchange that highlights the perspective that Miller captures in the book is Truman’s explanation as to why he fired General Douglas MacArthur: “I fired him because he wouldn't respect the authority of the
President. That's the answer to that. I didn't fire him because he was a dumb son of a bitch, although he was, but that's not against the law for generals.”
More generally, “Plain Speaking” provides countless examples of Truman’s compassion and talent as a leader. For example, Truman explained how he learned about the influence that the President has over people even in minor engagements. He describes how FDR treated him like an “office boy,” having him stopped on his drive home back to Independence to break a tie in the Senate. “But the whole thing taught me a lesson. People are always very nervous when they meet the President of the United States, and they can be…. they can have their feelings hurt if he is less than kind to them. And courteous. Courtesy is the cheapest thing in the world, and it's a wonder to me that people aren't that way more of the time.”
When explaining the value of humility, Truman explains: “I never had the notion that I was anything special at all; even when I got that job in the White House, I didn't. And I never had the notion that there weren't a lot of people who couldn't do whatever it was better than I could. But that never worried me. All that ever concerned me was that I wanted to do it as best I could. So I guess I’d have to say to that, to your question, that I always tried to be satisfied with what I was and what I was doing.”
In sum, “Plain Speaking” perfectly encapsulated everything I wanted to get out of a book about Truman. Anyone who wants to learn about the most under-appreciated President in American history would do well by reading it.
April 3, 2020
Plain Speaking is aptly titled. This is an interview, Q&A, format book. Occasionally, other individuals are heard from, but for the most part it is Truman retelling his own history growing up, working, as a senator and eventually as President of the United States, and briefly the days following. Truman to me seemed like a no-nonsense sort of guy who made decisions well and understood his role well as a leader of the people. Remarks historically of Truman possessing strong crisis leadership seems valid. Despite arriving to the Presidency sort of by default, I was impressed with the body of knowledge he had regarding about every preceding President. That said, every president he mentioned, and there were many, he predominantly spoke of their failures (not only Presidents, but also Generals). He clearly took great pride in himself, in how and where he was raised. The history of the United States was very important to him and his opinions on people were strong and yet towards himself, he was modest and often praised others rather than himself for successes. There is a fair amount of discourse on the Korean War and wiretapping that occurred after WWII and rightfully so, yet surprised the steel workers labor dispute was not mentioned at all. He seemed like a man that if you spent time with him, he would want to listen to you more than speak, yet you would be most interested in his assessment for he possessed strong skills in assessing character. I definitely don’t think I’m finished reading about Truman as I would like to better understand why so many think he is one of the greatest presidents, since Truman definitely was not one to call himself great.
March 27, 2017
Ah, Harry Truman. I admit, when I read the introduction to this book I thought Merle Miller was off his rocker. The intro was filled with accolades and praise. It seemed over the top. However, after reading Plain Speaking I too am a happy drinker of the Truman kool-aid. I ADORE this man!
Truman was a well read, no-nonsense, honest man who lived life simply and humbly. He was a man who always said what he meant and meant what he said. He was a man who strived to do what he believed was the right thing. An example of how to live a life.
So, as I say with all the books I really love, everyone should read this. It is a great read. Admittedly I wanted to nudge Miller when he didn't dive further into the death of Truman's father, but Truman had a take over type of personality and simply would not expand his answers to certain questions, I could understand that.
I would have loved to see the documentary they were planning to do. It is a shame that Truman had negative thoughts about it even though his feelings were understandable. He didn't consider himself a big deal, only the position that he held. He never wanted to be considered a "high hat" and never wanted to come across as fake or a showman. He had no cause for concern. Truman worked at the White House and then went back home to Independence, Missouri where he quietly lived out the rest of his life. He wouldn't have had it any other way.
Truman was a well read, no-nonsense, honest man who lived life simply and humbly. He was a man who always said what he meant and meant what he said. He was a man who strived to do what he believed was the right thing. An example of how to live a life.
So, as I say with all the books I really love, everyone should read this. It is a great read. Admittedly I wanted to nudge Miller when he didn't dive further into the death of Truman's father, but Truman had a take over type of personality and simply would not expand his answers to certain questions, I could understand that.
I would have loved to see the documentary they were planning to do. It is a shame that Truman had negative thoughts about it even though his feelings were understandable. He didn't consider himself a big deal, only the position that he held. He never wanted to be considered a "high hat" and never wanted to come across as fake or a showman. He had no cause for concern. Truman worked at the White House and then went back home to Independence, Missouri where he quietly lived out the rest of his life. He wouldn't have had it any other way.
March 17, 2015
The interview work that originally occurred to assist in the production of a television series about President Harry S. Truman. The series concept lost momentum and history nearly lost the amazing stories told by Truman and virtually all those close to him during his entire life. Merle Miller, interviewer extraordinaire, pulled this oral autobiography of Truman as if this written format was the right approach all along.
I knew very little about President Truman as I began the book...it was a recommendation made by a friend.
The interviews were done 20 years after Truman left the White House, and his recall and eloquence is spot-on. The part I liked best was the realization that this humble man was brilliantly educated, yet his formal education was only through high school.
The interviews show him to be humble, reflective, insightful, candid, cunning, and clever. Good things to discover about a president...any president.
I knew very little about President Truman as I began the book...it was a recommendation made by a friend.
The interviews were done 20 years after Truman left the White House, and his recall and eloquence is spot-on. The part I liked best was the realization that this humble man was brilliantly educated, yet his formal education was only through high school.
The interviews show him to be humble, reflective, insightful, candid, cunning, and clever. Good things to discover about a president...any president.
February 24, 2017
Well, Truman certainly had his share of crises . . . succeeding FDR, Korea, Israel, dropping the bomb, firing MacArther etc. But he managed with confidence and actionable decisions which he never questioned. I thought the author Miller was a bit too stuck on himself (Miller) and that turned me off a bit. Two surprises (1) what remains puzzling to me is why Truman hated Ike so much. In the biography of Eisenhower by Ambrose and in Crusade for Europe by Eisenhower, no such animosity was mentioned. Truman denies ever offering support to Ike as a candidate for president while both Ambrose and Ike both report the support in their works, and (2) Truman's destruction of files relating to Marshall, Ike and Kay Summersby. I'll let you read that for yourself.
March 9, 2019
I read this ages ago and thought it a great read. Thumbed through it again recently and was still engaged. I've always thought Truman one of the better presidents, and his Missouri roots were always given some attention as to why Truman was so 'plain speaking', and such a well respected president. It's a shame now that those same Missouri roots have now veered way off from Truman's values, as it becomes more and more 'red' in its horrible politics. Wonder what Harry would have thought about the current conditions of politics now in his home state, as well as what he thought about the current occupant of the WH.
I'm gonna go out on a limb, and say that he would think the same as what he thought about Richard Nixon.
I'm gonna go out on a limb, and say that he would think the same as what he thought about Richard Nixon.
November 27, 2013
I've never read such an honest, eye-opening, life-changing biography. Merle Miller asks great questions and Truman does not disappoint. I am a teacher and I use some of the personal incidents Truman discusses for teaching aids...like the humanity he showed a sergeant who went out of his head during an attack during WWII and ran off. While Truman was pushed to court marshall the man, he decided to give him a second chance, saying that you have to have faith in people...otherwise you have nothing. As it turns out, Truman made the right call: the once dishonoured man did make a good life for himself.
November 28, 2020
Interesting book as Truman reflects back over his years in the presidency. He admits he made some mistakes, but I think he grew and developed character through his experiences. Nothing pretentious about Harry Truman.
July 21, 2007
This was the best way to get the real story from Harry Truman. Just put a tape recorder in front of him and let him talk. In his folksy way, Truman told the fascinating stoy of his life and his presidency.
November 3, 2020
I now admire Truman even more than I did before reading the book.
Also, I better understand his decisions regarding the Atomic bomb which was always some that bothered mean, especially after visting Hiroshima.
Also, I better understand his decisions regarding the Atomic bomb which was always some that bothered mean, especially after visting Hiroshima.
January 20, 2016
Oral interviews with President Truman in the 1950s. He was candid about many personalities and issues in politics, as one would expect from him.
July 8, 2017
I did not expect to like a presidential biography this much, but it's engaging, easy to read, and Truman is without hubris...so refreshing in a political figure. Really a great book!
January 29, 2025
By asking questions and taping the answers, the author creates an autobiography of Harry Truman in which the former President brags for 462 pages about how humble he is.
Besides working on his family’s farm, he apparently tried only one private sector business after returning from WWI as a captain in an artillery unit. It was a men’s clothing store that he opened in partnership with an army friend with whom he had managed a military canteen for a while. But the business failed. Then, despite professing a disinterest in personally running for political office, that is what he did for the remainder of his career.
A lifelong avid reader of history, he unfortunately failed to study economics. He professed hatred for anyone “rich.” To Truman, by definition one who had much money was “greedy.” He thought Carnegie Libraries were “tainted” because they were financed by a wealthy businessman. But “public servants” whose livings were paid for by taxpayers were fine. The public servants he had in mind were apparently just politicians, and excluded military officers. He expressed contempt for most generals, but especially for General (and President) Eisenhower, and of course for General MacArthur. Among past presidents he admired were Woodrow Wilson, both Roosevelts, Andrew Jackson, Andrew Johnson, and wannabe presidents William Jennings Bryan and Adlai Stevenson. Those he most disliked were Hoover, Harding, Coolidge, Eisenhower, Nixon, and Kennedy (too rich). Didn’t appear to particularly respect Winston Churchill either.
His veracity is sometimes questionable. He claimed to have read all 3,000 books in his local library by age 14 (which would have been about one book per day if he began at age 5).
He had some decency. As a senator he investigated and corrected some military supply corruption. Despite his sympathies for the Southern Confederacy, he pushed for Civil Rights legislation in 1946. On the other hand, he approved establishment of the Federal Reserve Bank and its authority to print money. And he admitted to appointing an alcoholic politician who was defeated for a Senate seat to be judge of an appellate court because he “owed him a favor.” His preferred policies were the socialist leanings of FDR: price controls, minimum wages, public health, education and housing subsidies, a public electric power system, Social Security. He has been given credit for approving the establishment of Israel following WWII, but he says he did so “reluctantly.” As president, he established the Central Intelligence Agency, but said he later regretted it after noticing its tendency to “meddle in foreign affairs” without approval by either the President or Congress. I had to read elsewhere to learn that he was the first president to accept a generous government pension (and other lifetime benefits) as a “retired” former president ( a remittance for which he is said to have lobbied). Of course, what President Truman will always be most remembered for is his order to drop the atomic bombs on Japan, a terrifyingly brave decision.
The Korean War and its ending truce are given scant clarification in the book, limiting its emphasis to the involvement of the new United Nations, and then the MacArthur firing and Truman’s lingering resentment and hatred for the general. There were likewise no questions asked about the Ally’s decision at the end of WWII to allow Russia to absorb so many east European countries, half of Germany, and the northern half of Korea into Communist hell.
The only other comment I will make is that it is noticeable that throughout this somewhat turbulent history, there is no mention of Mr. Truman’s expressing regret or sorrow for the soldiers who fought in the Korean War, nor for an individual White House policeman who was shot and killed during a 1950 assassination attempt on himself as President. In a footnote about the assassination attempt, Mr. Truman is quoted as later stating that he commuted the death sentence to life imprisonment for “the fellow who was trying to shoot me.” No mention of his protector who did die.
Besides working on his family’s farm, he apparently tried only one private sector business after returning from WWI as a captain in an artillery unit. It was a men’s clothing store that he opened in partnership with an army friend with whom he had managed a military canteen for a while. But the business failed. Then, despite professing a disinterest in personally running for political office, that is what he did for the remainder of his career.
A lifelong avid reader of history, he unfortunately failed to study economics. He professed hatred for anyone “rich.” To Truman, by definition one who had much money was “greedy.” He thought Carnegie Libraries were “tainted” because they were financed by a wealthy businessman. But “public servants” whose livings were paid for by taxpayers were fine. The public servants he had in mind were apparently just politicians, and excluded military officers. He expressed contempt for most generals, but especially for General (and President) Eisenhower, and of course for General MacArthur. Among past presidents he admired were Woodrow Wilson, both Roosevelts, Andrew Jackson, Andrew Johnson, and wannabe presidents William Jennings Bryan and Adlai Stevenson. Those he most disliked were Hoover, Harding, Coolidge, Eisenhower, Nixon, and Kennedy (too rich). Didn’t appear to particularly respect Winston Churchill either.
His veracity is sometimes questionable. He claimed to have read all 3,000 books in his local library by age 14 (which would have been about one book per day if he began at age 5).
He had some decency. As a senator he investigated and corrected some military supply corruption. Despite his sympathies for the Southern Confederacy, he pushed for Civil Rights legislation in 1946. On the other hand, he approved establishment of the Federal Reserve Bank and its authority to print money. And he admitted to appointing an alcoholic politician who was defeated for a Senate seat to be judge of an appellate court because he “owed him a favor.” His preferred policies were the socialist leanings of FDR: price controls, minimum wages, public health, education and housing subsidies, a public electric power system, Social Security. He has been given credit for approving the establishment of Israel following WWII, but he says he did so “reluctantly.” As president, he established the Central Intelligence Agency, but said he later regretted it after noticing its tendency to “meddle in foreign affairs” without approval by either the President or Congress. I had to read elsewhere to learn that he was the first president to accept a generous government pension (and other lifetime benefits) as a “retired” former president ( a remittance for which he is said to have lobbied). Of course, what President Truman will always be most remembered for is his order to drop the atomic bombs on Japan, a terrifyingly brave decision.
The Korean War and its ending truce are given scant clarification in the book, limiting its emphasis to the involvement of the new United Nations, and then the MacArthur firing and Truman’s lingering resentment and hatred for the general. There were likewise no questions asked about the Ally’s decision at the end of WWII to allow Russia to absorb so many east European countries, half of Germany, and the northern half of Korea into Communist hell.
The only other comment I will make is that it is noticeable that throughout this somewhat turbulent history, there is no mention of Mr. Truman’s expressing regret or sorrow for the soldiers who fought in the Korean War, nor for an individual White House policeman who was shot and killed during a 1950 assassination attempt on himself as President. In a footnote about the assassination attempt, Mr. Truman is quoted as later stating that he commuted the death sentence to life imprisonment for “the fellow who was trying to shoot me.” No mention of his protector who did die.
September 18, 2022
I really enjoy reading about presidents because we learn so much about leadership. If you do, too, then check out Plainly Speaking, an oral bio of Harry Truman. We sort of skipped over Truman in school but the man was a decisive, honest, and humble leader - one for the people.
What I learned from Truman:
1.) Always do the right thing
Truman lived in an era where your word was everything. He was cited time and time again as being an honest man who always did the right thing, even if it angered others.
2.) Read
Truman didn’t use fancy words but his brain was a library. He loved books and knew history.
3.) History repeats itself and is written by the winners.
“The only thing new in the world is the history you don’t know.” We never hear the side from the loser. Stories are written by the winners and they are one sided.
4.) Do the work
Harry never complained about the work. He worked on a farm to pay off debt. He was the owner of a (failed) clothing store. He was up early. He did the work.
5.) Stay humble
Harry didn’t let the title define him. He separated himself from the title of President. He was elected and held that title for 8 years. He went back to Independence and went on living a citizen life (sort of, he lost a lot of privacy of course). He washed his socks and underwear and stopped on the highways to help men and women in need.
6.) Be decisive
The failed Presidents didn’t know how to lead, what to do in office, and they weren’t decisive (Taylor, Polk, Fillmore, Pierce, Buchanan). Learn the material, think it through, decide, and move on. Don’t dwell on shoulda, coulda thoughts.
7.) Power, money, women
Harry believed these things ruined men.
January 15, 2023
I picked up this book after Ryan Holiday mentioned it on his reading list. I managed to find it on the local libraries' storage catalogue - what a find!
This book was a series of conversations between Truman and the author that took place long after his presidency. It was loosely structures in a biographical manner, beginning with his childhood and going through to his presidency, finishing with his thoughts on the past 15 years after. This book painted a clear picture of the type of man Truman was. He was a main with strong moral convictions- I would liken him to Sam Rayburn in this way, and they mention that they were friends. He also was a voracious reader and had an encyclopedic knowledge of world events. He made sure he was well educated on a topic before he made a decision, and then stuck with that decision. One other big theme that came through in his books- no regrets. If we are doing it right, we are making decisions using the information we had available. This was particularly interesting concerning the dropping of the nukes on Japan. He was convinced that this was the correct course of action, almost to a fault of not wanting to look back at this time.
All in all, I got the impression that despite his flaws (sometimes letting his anger get the best of him and saying things he probably shouldn't have said) that Truman was one of the greats. He was a true public servant and did great things for his country.
Three stars because it was OK. If you love reading about US presidents, give this a read. If not, you're probably better served reading one of the Caro or Chernow biographies, or potentially the Politzer prize winning McCullough biography first.
This book was a series of conversations between Truman and the author that took place long after his presidency. It was loosely structures in a biographical manner, beginning with his childhood and going through to his presidency, finishing with his thoughts on the past 15 years after. This book painted a clear picture of the type of man Truman was. He was a main with strong moral convictions- I would liken him to Sam Rayburn in this way, and they mention that they were friends. He also was a voracious reader and had an encyclopedic knowledge of world events. He made sure he was well educated on a topic before he made a decision, and then stuck with that decision. One other big theme that came through in his books- no regrets. If we are doing it right, we are making decisions using the information we had available. This was particularly interesting concerning the dropping of the nukes on Japan. He was convinced that this was the correct course of action, almost to a fault of not wanting to look back at this time.
All in all, I got the impression that despite his flaws (sometimes letting his anger get the best of him and saying things he probably shouldn't have said) that Truman was one of the greats. He was a true public servant and did great things for his country.
Three stars because it was OK. If you love reading about US presidents, give this a read. If not, you're probably better served reading one of the Caro or Chernow biographies, or potentially the Politzer prize winning McCullough biography first.
October 15, 2023
Harry Truman’s presidency, like his life, was marked by truthfulness, fairplay, and the exercise of restraint even when he possessed great power. Harry spent much of his childhood in the library. History was his favorite subject and he attributed his ability to accurately judge character by a thorough knowledge of history. “There’s nothing new in the world except the history you don’t know. There’s nothing new in human nature. If you want to understand the 20th century, read the lives of the Roman Emperors.” For much of his life he was a farmer. He only attended two years of college and was essentially self-educated. He became an officer and later opened a haberdashery (which failed due to a minor depression in 1922). He found himself 40 years old with no money (and tremendous debt since he refused to declare bankruptcy) and no prospects. Truman was completely unfazed by the power and prestige of being the most powerful man in the world, and gladly returned to his simple life in Independence, Missouri.
To be President you must make decisions and meet deadlines. Truman did this exceptionally well. He was not a man tortured by second-thoughts.
To be President you must make decisions and meet deadlines. Truman did this exceptionally well. He was not a man tortured by second-thoughts.
June 22, 2021
This was surprisingly interesting to me. Published in 1973, after interviews with Truman in the 60's by Merle Miller, the author, the story about Truman's political career is surprisingly similar to the political situation of today. Comparisons could be drawn between Truman and Trump, though they are on opposite sides of the political aisle. Both could be said to be plain-speaking, although I think Truman is much more honest than Trump. Truman complains about the media's inaccurate reporting in the 40's! Not much has changed since then. He also talks about how politicians make decisions based on how it will affect voting in the next election rather than what is the right thing to do. Oh, if only we could have a Truman today. Very smart man, even though I don't think he even finished college. He was very well read, reading books I would never even think of reading - books on philosophy, lots of biographies, Shakespeare. He says you can learn a lot about people in these books. Good read.
July 16, 2019
Bu güne kadar okuduğum biyografiler içinde belkide en çok etkilendiğim eserlerden biri Harry Truman'ın bu biyografisidir.
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Sanırım iki nedeni var...
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Birinci nedeni, Roosevelt gibi İkinci Dünya Savaşı'na damgasını vurmuş saygın bir lider öldükten sonra o tarihte başkan yardımcısı olması nedeniyle koltuğa oturan bu sakin ve goşterissiz politikacıya hiç şans verilmezken ikinci kez, bu defa bir seçim kazanarak yeniden başkan olabilmesidir.
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İkinci nedeni de, Truman'ın basit ancak sağlam bir duruşla ülkesindeki güç odaklarına direnip kimseye gereksiz prim vermeyen yönetim anlayışı...
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Truman'ın pek de haz etmediği, gösteriş meraklısı Eisenhower kendisinden sonra o koltuğa oturduğunda tam da tersini yapmış, finans şirketleri ve silah üreticilerine Beyaz Saray'a bütün kapıları açarak Amerika'yı baştan çıkarmıştır..
Demokrasi getireceğiz maskesi altında bütün dünya ülkelerini karıştıran, iç savaşlar çıkartan, darbeler yaptıran ABD işte böyle, adım adım doğdu kanaatimce...
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Sanırım iki nedeni var...
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Birinci nedeni, Roosevelt gibi İkinci Dünya Savaşı'na damgasını vurmuş saygın bir lider öldükten sonra o tarihte başkan yardımcısı olması nedeniyle koltuğa oturan bu sakin ve goşterissiz politikacıya hiç şans verilmezken ikinci kez, bu defa bir seçim kazanarak yeniden başkan olabilmesidir.
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İkinci nedeni de, Truman'ın basit ancak sağlam bir duruşla ülkesindeki güç odaklarına direnip kimseye gereksiz prim vermeyen yönetim anlayışı...
.
Truman'ın pek de haz etmediği, gösteriş meraklısı Eisenhower kendisinden sonra o koltuğa oturduğunda tam da tersini yapmış, finans şirketleri ve silah üreticilerine Beyaz Saray'a bütün kapıları açarak Amerika'yı baştan çıkarmıştır..
Demokrasi getireceğiz maskesi altında bütün dünya ülkelerini karıştıran, iç savaşlar çıkartan, darbeler yaptıran ABD işte böyle, adım adım doğdu kanaatimce...
August 12, 2020
Very readable series of interviews with Harry Truman while retired to Missouri
Fleshed out with text of speeches or other material referred to in the book.
Quite a refreshing contrast to politics of today, lemme tell ya.
So many other stories and articles pictured Harry as a sort of country bumpkin..... Nothing could be further from the truth!!
Harry was extremely well read in history and politics and even poetry. And he often refers to lessons from the history he's read as a basis for a political decision, or the basis for a characterization of a current-day (well, in the 1950s and 1960s) pol. So he didn't just read something once and forget it; his memory was excellent!
Just because someone did not make the 'clever' or politically 'cagey' decisions does not mean he was a rube, folks. We could dearly use about a thousand clones of Mr Truman today and set them loose on a faltering American society.
Fleshed out with text of speeches or other material referred to in the book.
Quite a refreshing contrast to politics of today, lemme tell ya.
So many other stories and articles pictured Harry as a sort of country bumpkin..... Nothing could be further from the truth!!
Harry was extremely well read in history and politics and even poetry. And he often refers to lessons from the history he's read as a basis for a political decision, or the basis for a characterization of a current-day (well, in the 1950s and 1960s) pol. So he didn't just read something once and forget it; his memory was excellent!
Just because someone did not make the 'clever' or politically 'cagey' decisions does not mean he was a rube, folks. We could dearly use about a thousand clones of Mr Truman today and set them loose on a faltering American society.
November 23, 2023
The strength of America is that Harry Truman can be elected president. The book describes an honest ascension from a relatable politician with a like-able earnestness He was propelled to the presidency through real work done in the Truman Commission. Truman describes his career and presidency being built on real relationships with people; always being generous with the time he has.
The book is weaker covering his time as president, stitching together a series of unrelated topics that were controversial in the media during the presidency. It is interesting to see: his admiration for Marshall, regretting the creation of the CIA, and his straight forward explanation of his foreign policy decisions. The book also demonstrates the amount of lobbying done on behalf of foreign governments in D.C., both successfully in Israel's case and unsuccessfully in Taiwan's.
The book is weaker covering his time as president, stitching together a series of unrelated topics that were controversial in the media during the presidency. It is interesting to see: his admiration for Marshall, regretting the creation of the CIA, and his straight forward explanation of his foreign policy decisions. The book also demonstrates the amount of lobbying done on behalf of foreign governments in D.C., both successfully in Israel's case and unsuccessfully in Taiwan's.
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