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Plain speaking: an oral biography of harry s. truman Mass Market Paperback – November 1, 1986

by Merle Miller (Author)

69 customer reviews

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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.

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Mass Market Paperback
Publisher: Berkley (December 1, 1986)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425094995
ISBN-13: 978-0425094990
Product Dimensions: 7 x 1 x 5 inches
Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces
Average Customer Review: 69 customer reviews
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,982,923 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #70891 in Books > History > World
- #89096 in Books > History > Americas > United States

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Learn from a great and humble man what a president should be.

ByD. A. Palmeron June 15, 2017

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

This a great read because it's about a great man. Truman was honest and honorable to his last breath. Miller asks the right questions and Truman answers them, no bull, no evasion. After you read this book, you will know how far our country has fallen from what it once was. I think it's fair to say that Truman was the last president who had the welfare of the country in his mind and in his heart.

The last few presidents can't hold a candle to Truman, and that's the really sickening lesson I learned from this book. Just go order the book. Every time Truman opens his mouth, you'll just be amazed at his integrity and be rejuvenated by it. Seriously, just reading this book will make you a better person.

0CommentWas this review helpful to you?YesNo

HST was not a 4-eyed nerd!

ByRolland W. Amoson November 22, 2006

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

-Twenty reviews are not enough for this book! HST deserves more and better!

HST was fortunate in that history offered him many opportunities to prove his skills and his greatness. (Most historians now rank him among the top five). For example, not every president gets to be a 2-time wartime president, or to replace an FDR (the nation's only 3-time and 4-time president that most Americans truly loved (regardless of how the Neocons now portray him), or to make the many critical decisions that HST was compelled to make.

The book's table of contents pretty much summarizes the major problems that HST had to deal with during his long political career and his 2 terms (minus 3 months) as president: two times he had to fight hard as the underdog for his seat in the Senate and once, in 1948 - likewise, as the underdog against Dewey, he had to overcome great odds to win his presidential re-election fight. Many times he had to render major, often unpopular, decisions: for example, he endorsed the establishment of the new state of Israel; he ordered the dropping of A-bombs on Japan; he ordered the integration of the armed forces; he halted a steel strike that threatened the unbroken supply of war materials; he ordered the implementation of the post-war, multi-billion dollar economic recovery plan for Europe (called the Marshall Plan - but actually Truman's plan); he endorsed the creation of the U.N.; he endorsed the creation of NATO with U.S. participation; he ordered U.S. troops into Korea in 1950 to halt communist aggression; he `fired' the highly popular 5-star General MacArthur when the latter challenged the authority of the president; etc., etc.. HST said that hard decisions were easy for him; he simply did what he thought was right!

Many reviewers confess that prior to reading this book they had no sense of HST's presidency, or that he was significant or even great. After reading this book, however, many of them now feel that HST was both a great man and a great president. Is there any better example of what a little reading can do for a person's judgment - or, expressed another way, is there any better example of how 'ignorance can breed contempt' - or indifference?

0Comment 4 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Harry Truman the last unpackaged President shines through this fabulous book

Byupstate billon February 15, 2014

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Published in 1973 shortly after his death. this is an oral biography of Harry Truman,
citizen, soldier, patriot, failed haberdasher, who made decisions that literally saved
the world.

The Man from Independence was the real deal. His star has steadily risen, while his
critics who hated him have been relegated to the dustbin of history.

He lived by Mark Twain's words- always do right, it will gratify some and astonish the rest.

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

If you can get a copy of this one, grab it.

ByAnn Werneron September 1, 2014

Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase

A friend recommended this book to me and was it ever worth the read! Even though the events recorded here took place decades ago, parts of it could have been written today. Harry Truman was the last truly great president - a man who never bowed to hysteria, who lived up to his slogan "The buck stops here" and a man who saw things clearly. He made statements that proved to be true in the future, one of them being that Richard Nixon was a liar and never knew the difference between the truth and a lie. That statement was made well before Watergate. It's a shame this book is only available in older copies, as it is now out of print. Perhaps some enterprising person might contact the author's family and request permission to reproduce it in a eBook so generations to come will have the benefit of getting to know a man who stood for principle and not politics.

0Comment One person found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Lives up to the title: Plain Speaking

ByBoat School 67on October 15, 2014

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Just a nice book to read and hear HST in his own words. Per the title - HST is plain speaking and pulls no punches. I got a flavor of the man from this book, and enjoyed it.

0Comment 2 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Plain Speaking

ByCleveland L. Witton September 1, 2012

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

Plain Speaking An Oral Biography of Harry S. Truman was in excellent condition and was received in a timely manner. For those interested in American history this is a must read, especially during an election year. Harry Truman was an original and great American; we are sorely in need of such an honest man today. Would recommend this seller.

0Comment 4 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

Harry Truman, the last of the plain talkers.

ByCharlet P. Graceon February 25, 2011

Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase

I read this book years ago and my paperback fell apart. I ordered the hard cover, one for me and one to give as a gift. Harry Truman was the last president to "tell it like it is." What struck me is that politics haven't changed so much; technology has changed politics. Harry will go down as one of the most decisive presidents in history and as a man of honesty and integrity who, looking back, made the right decisions at the time for our country. I recommend this book to everyone.

0Comment 7 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you?YesNo

The biography of one of the greatest presidents this country has ever seen!

ByStephen B. Sprowlson July 21, 2013

Format: Mass Market PaperbackVerified Purchase

I have read and re-read this book numerous times. This was a man with extreme moral principles, and should be required reading in our educational system as far as I'm concerned. Maybe some of the loose behavior of our society may have been avoided if our children were taught even half of this man's propensity for honesty and integrity. He held himself to the highest standards, and expected the same from others. The title of the book says it all. This is a must read!