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Truman

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Truman

By: David McCullough
Narrated by: Nelson Runger
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About this listen

Pulitzer Prize, Biography/Autobiography, 1993

Hailed by critics as an American masterpiece, David McCullough's sweeping biography of Harry S. Truman captured the heart of the nation. The life and times of the 33rd president of the United States, Truman provides a deeply moving look at an extraordinary, singular American.

From Truman's small-town, turn-of-the-century boyhood and his transforming experience in the face of war in 1918, to his political beginnings in the powerful Pendergast machine and his rapid rise to prominence in the U.S. Senate, McCullough shows a man of uncommon vitality and strength of character.

Here too is a telling account of Truman's momentous decision to use the atomic bomb and the weighty responsibilities that he was forced to confront on the dawning of a new age.

Distinguished historian and Pulitzer-Prize-winning author David McCullough tells one of the greatest American stories in this stirring audio adaptation of Truman - a compelling, classic portrait of a life that shaped history.

©2011 Simon & Schuster (P)2003 David McCullough Americas Historical Politicians Politics & Activism Presidents & Heads of State State & Local United States War Franklin D Roosevelt Military Korean War Suspenseful Imperialism Vietnam War Roosevelt Family Winston Churchill American History Self-Determination

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Critic reviews

“McCullough’s marvelous feel for history is based on an appreciation of colorful tales and an insight intopersonalities. In this compelling saga of America’s greatest common-man president, McCullough adds luster to an old-fashioned historical approach.... the sweeping narrative, filled with telling details and an appreciation of the role individuals play in shaping the world.” (Walter Isaacson, Time)
“McCullough is a master storyteller whose considerable narrative skills have been put to exquisite use in re-creating the life and times of America’s 33rd president.” (Robert Dallek, Los Angeles Times Book Review)
“Perhaps the highest tribute one can pay a biographer is to say that through him one comes to know his subject almost as though in person. In fostering the reader’s acquaintance with Harry Truman, not once does McCullough get in the way. This is in every respect a splendid work.” (Myron A. Marty, St. Louis Post-Dispatch)
All stars
Most relevant  
This has been one of the best books I have listened to on audible. This is a great biography. Thank you Mr McCullough The reading, the tone and the pace of delivery are also excellent. Thank you Mr Runger.
At the end of it I feel I know and appreciate "Harry" as never before. I also have a better grasp of the 20th century and the American political system. Some of the contrasts with the present day incumbent of the White House are jarring to the extreme.
The successes and failures, the strength and the weakness of the man come to the fore in such a way that one can admire Truman as that true representative of all that is wholesome about the USA.

A Masterpiece

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First the negative points: Prepare for a long, long listen. 54 hours. Also, a very slow start to the story in which you wonder why the author started there. But as time goes on you get the full picture why that happened and enopy the rich detail of this story. It also very much paints the man that was Harry S. Truman beside the events that happened in his life.ci would wholeheartedly recommend listing to this audiobook!

Fascinating insight

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54 hours of pure gold. Good writing and superb narration of a story about of the leading characters of the 20th century. Mich better than i was expecting. Truman is an inspiration for people in any walk of life now or in the future..

Wonderful life - excellently related

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Full marks for this offering. Truman comes out very well in the telling of this full yet colourful biography. But it doesn't come across as in any way one sided.

Excellent

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Truman's Presidency was a period of American history I was unfamiliar with - the Truman Doctrine, the Marshall Plan, the Korean war - and McCullough's biography does full justice to the man, and the moments of a great president. Born a decade away from the Frontier, and dying in the atomic age in which he had had to make a momentous decision, Truman's life spanned an era. This biography is well paced, lively, informative, unsparing when it comes to Truman's perceived failings, generous in its appreciation of his skills and strengths as a human being.

What did you like best about this story?

Nelson Runger's narration is superb. His pace and vitality informs the book, and I appreciated the way that different players - Dean Acheson, Marshall, Roosevelt were given due weight. He didn't succumb (too much) to hamming up Churchill.

Any additional comments?

In short, highly recommended.

He Gave 'em Hell

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Truman was underrated during his life and he is underrated now. If we can find more leaders like him the world would be a significantly better place.

Everyone should read this book!

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I downloaded this audiobook some time ago but was a little daunted by its length. To any reader of this review, don't worry, its a long biography that rarely flags. The author has paced the book really well and the reader has done a fine job in keeping that pace going.

Truman was the President in the year I was born, but is relatively unknown today. He came to power at a crucial and dangerous time in world history with very little preparation for the job. He passed the test with a mixture of intelligence, awareness, diplomatic skill and good old common sense. Some of the issues he was faced with: the Rise of Soviet Russia, the Nuclear Bomb, Korea, the devastation of Western Europe, China, the Berlin Airlift, Industrial unrest, the appalling McCarthy witch-hunts, McArthur, any one of the decisions he had to wrestle with would have left most politicians reeling. Looking at the current incumbent of the office Truman held with such dignity, one can only give thanks that the Wheel of Fortune placed the little man from Independence, Missouri in charge. It could have been so much worse!

McCullough was clearly a great fan, but the book rarely slips into hagiograpghy. Most importantly it performs the primary function of a biography, it tells the story of a man's life in linear style, and leaves you with a greater knowledge of the man and his times.
A brilliant listen, strongly recommended

What Biography Should Do

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really interesting time in history, with an everyday man making it somehow to President. a little too intricately detailed at times, but nicely written

interesting times, VERY detailed

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Congratulations to the author David McCullough for a wonderful, balanced and eloquent representation of the life of Harry Truman. I know the book involved much research over many years. A worthy Pulitzer Prize winner. I have learned a huge amount about Truman the man and President; and I've learned a lot of history, that I probably ought to have known before now, besides. Thank you. Thanks also to Nelson Runger for an equally masterful narration.

Wonderful

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Extraordinarily detailed with great character sketches and a sympathetic understanding of Truman. The length allows the author to flesh out the historical personalities and convey the background which is so crucial to understanding this most grounded of presidents.

Detailed and Magisterial

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