Harry S. Truman (United States Presidents) [Library Binding]

Michael Schuman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1997 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up | Series: United States Presidents

Explores the life and political accomplishments of Harry S. Truman, including the Truman Doctrine and his decision to drop the atomic bomb.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-8. This superficial biography of Truman begins with his 1948 electoral triumph, then covers his entire life in straightforward chronological order. Schuman discusses his subject's upbringing and private life as well as his many public-service achievements. He is admiring of Truman, rating him as one of our greatest presidents, but does criticize some of his early racial prejudices. This book is lively and interesting, but the author provides only limited background information and does not offer much detail about many of Truman's presidential actions and decisions. The most serious weakness, however, is that the narrative skips from topic to topic, and relatively minor events are given the same weight as major decisions and policies. Average quality, black-and-white photos and copies of source documents add little to the text. Jeffrey Morris's The Truman Way (Lerner, 1994), which offers introductory biographical information and then devotes an entire detailed chapter, complete with background information and analysis, to each of this president's major decisions, is a far better choice for general readers and researchers.?Mary Mueller, Rolla Junior High School, MO
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

Workmanlike but involving, this well-organized and fact-rich biography in the United States Presidents series gives readers a balanced assessment of the 33rd President. All the necessary information is included here: Truman's childhood, education, family, career choices, political achievements, and, notably, his presidency. Although it lasted less than two full terms, it included the decision to drop the bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the end of the war on both fronts, the Marshall Plan, the Truman Doctrine, the Tart-Hartley Act, the beginning of the Cold War, the McCarthy hearings, and the start of the Korean War. Schuman (Elie Wiesel, 1994, etc.) breaks no ground but covers the material reliably and readably. With few biographies of Truman available, this is an accessible, on-target entry. (b&w photos, not seen, notes, chronology, further reading, index) (Biography. 10+) -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Library Binding: 112 pages
• Publisher: Enslow Pub Inc (April 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0894908332
• ISBN-13: 978-0894908330
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,289,780 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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