3 stars Useful for Truman fans
I read the book of Truman quotations in a couple of hours. The author was very selective, focusing on the Give’em hell, Harry one-liners and sound-bites. Truman had a charming sense of humor and a unique manner of expressing himself. If that’s what you are looking for, this is a good book. I’m glad I bought it.
What I missed was the more thoughtful expressions of Truman about the beginnings of the Cold War, which began in Truman’s mind when he met Stalin at Potsdam; the expression of the matured, post New Deal version of Liberalism, which hatched in his brain after the death of Roosevelt; his dislike of the the presidency; and his candid opinions of the powerful men with whom he interacted.
“We had won the war. It was my hope now that the people of Germany and Japan could be rehabilitated…. The United States wanted no territory, no reparations. Peace and happiness for all countries were the goals toward which we would work and for which we had fought. No nation in the history of the world had taken such a position in complete victory. No nation with the military power of the United States of America had been so generous to its enemies and so helpful to its friends. Maybe the teachings of the Sermon on the Mount could be put into effect.” — from Truman’s Memoirs
T. Duke (West Texas)