Harry S. Truman

"A part of Times Book The American Presidents series, Harry S, Truman brings one of the most defining American presidents of the 20th century to the forefront . . . Harry S. Truman is an important book for those interested in why America, and the modern world, is the way it is."—Sacramento Book Review

"In this political season when politicians pose as 'folksy,' when one of the most unpopular presidents in history is preparing to leave office, it is interesting to return to another folksy politician who was also one of the most unpopular presidents of his time. But it must be noted that President Harry S. Truman, with his 'give 'em hell' everyman charm and his Missouri roots, supervised the conclusion of World War II, made the tough decision to use the atomic bomb to decisively end the war with Japan, pushed to rebuild Japan and Europe as allies of the U.S., faced down the Russians and began the containment policy that led to 50 years of Cold War and eventually led to the collapse of the Soviet Union. That's the view from our times on his. In his times, Truman was seen more as the president who led the U.S. into the 'police-action' war of Korea that left thousands of Americans dead without accomplishing much and various other political missteps, such as losing a Democratic Congress to the Republicans. In this volume of The American Presidents series, Robert Dallek spends the majority of this 150-page book on Truman's presidency. He gives only 18 pages to the young Missouri man who fought in World War I, was a failed haberdasher, became a cog in a Missouri political machine, survived the dismantling of that machine, made a name for himself as a Congressmen, was tapped as the next vice president for President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and ascended to the presidency when FDR died—that's a crowded 18 pages. So, there is little to explain what made Truman the president he was, but Dallek delves deep into what made Truman's presidency. Dallek is best known for his critically acclaimed two-volume biography of President Lyndon B. Johnson: Lone Star Rising and Flawed Giant . . . Dallek provides a concise and intimate look at a president who defied the popularity polls of his day to leave an indelible mark on history."—Dean Poling, The Valdosta Daily Times

"Acclaimed presidential historian Robert Dallek reveals how a Missouri farmer and failed businessman found himself in the White House following the death of Franklin Roosevelt. Truman surprised supporters and critics alike when he brought an end to WWII and handled his power with intelligence and grace. This is the highly readable history of one of the most important presidents of the 20th century. Few chief executives have had so lasting an impact as our 33rd president."—Larry Cox, Tucson Citizen

"Noted presidential biographer Dallek turns his skilled pen to the man from Independence. In brisk prose and with the confidence of his vast knowledge of the era, Dallek interprets the life of the simple man who, having unexpectedly and with little experience assumed the presidency when FDR died, surprised everyone by so skillfully shouldering huge burdens. In his day, that meant ending the war with Japan (by authorizing the bombs that leveled Hiroshima and Nagasaki), ordering American troops to repel the invasion of Korea, firing Douglas MacArthur and facing down the Soviets. It also meant protecting the New Deal from erosion, dealing with striking labor and taking unprecedented steps to desegregate the government and armed forces. Just listing these achievements makes clear why Dallek, like other historians, places Truman high on the list of American presidents. Like so many other biographies in the splendid American Presidents series, Dallek's little book is now the best starting point for knowledge of Truman's life and for an astute assessment of his career."—Publishers Weekly