The Autobiography of Harry S. Truman

by Harry Truman, Robert H. Ferrell (Editor)

The Autobiography of Harry S. Truman is a compilation of autobiographical writings composed by Truman between 1934 and 1972. Taken directly from his own manuscript material, the volume presents the thoughts and feelings of the man himself. The book touches on details in Truman’s life from his days as a boy until graduation from Independence High School in 1901 to the vice presidency of the United States and beyond. There is also a memorandum written by Truman about the Pendergast machine in Kansas City telling how it was possible to work with the machine and not be soiled by it. The Autobiography concludes with some of the retired president’s thoughts about politics and the purposes of public life.

Genres: Biography, History, Nonfiction, Presidents, Politics, Autobiography, American History

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Harry S. Truman was the thirty-third President of the United States (1945–1953). As vice president, he succeeded Franklin D. Roosevelt, who died less than three months after he began his fourth term.

During World War I Truman served as an artillery officer. After the war he became part of the political machine of Tom Pendergast and was elected a county judge in Missouri and eventually a United States Senator. After he gained national prominence as head of the wartime Truman Committee, Truman replaced vice president Henry A. Wallace as Roosevelt's running mate in 1944.

As president, Truman faced challenge after challenge in domestic affairs. The disorderly reconversion of the economy of the United States was marked by severe shortages, numerous strikes, and the passage of the Taft-Hartley Act over his veto. He confounded all predictions to win re-election in 1948, largely due to his famous Whistle Stop Tour of rural America. After his re-election he was able to pass only one of the proposals in his Fair Deal program. He used executive orders to begin desegregation of the U.S. armed forces and to launch a system of loyalty checks to remove thousands of communist sympathizers from government office, even though he strongly opposed mandatory loyalty oaths for governmental employees, a stance that led to charges that his administration was soft on communism. Truman's presidency was also eventful in foreign affairs, with the end of World War II and his decision to use nuclear weapons against Japan, the founding of the United Nations, the Marshall Plan to rebuild Europe, the Truman Doctrine to contain communism, the beginning of the Cold War, the creation of NATO, and the Korean War. Corruption in Truman's administration reached the cabinet and senior White House staff. Republicans made corruption a central issue in the 1952 campaign.

Truman, whose demeanor was very different from that of the patrician Roosevelt, was a folksy, unassuming president. He popularized such phrases as "The buck stops here" and "If you can't stand the heat, you better get out of the kitchen." He overcame the low expectations of many political observers who compared him unfavorably with his highly regarded predecessor. At one point in his second term, near the end of the Korean War, Truman's public opinion ratings reached the lowest of any United States president, but popular and scholarly assessments of his presidency became more positive after his retirement from politics and the publication of his memoirs. He died in 1972. Many U.S. scholars today rank him among the top ten presidents. Truman's legendary upset victory in 1948 over Thomas E. Dewey is routinely invoked by underdog presidential candidates.

Reviews

[M.K.B. Graham · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've long loved Mr. Truman, so his life in his words was a must-read for me. The autobiography was undertaken because, as he wrote, "I've been reading a book about me ... It contains more misstatements and false quotations than it contains facts ..." He was a man of integrity, and this characteristic shines through in this very simple and straightforward telling of his life. A quick and easy read that is appropriate for younger readers, it only hits the high points of his life, but it is worth reading what Mr. Truman considered important. (For an in-depth study, David McCullough's Truman is wonderful and this small volume affirms Mr. McCullough's success in conveying the true Truman) Two portions stand out: the circuitous —nearly comical — negotiation between FDR and his advisors to pick a VP and Senator Truman's determination to conduct Senate business with honesty. It's a lesson for today's politicians and journalists.

[Rick Blasiak]

I read a hardcover version of Harry's autobiography that I found in a dusty library book sale. It was great to read after reading the David McCullough book.

[Fr. Jeffrey Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a goal of reading one book written by each 20th century POTUS, but Harry S Truman was not much of a writer. This book is unique because it is a compilation of a few short reflections he wrote on his own life. I think it is important to hear from presidents in their own words, because it helps us understand their characters beyond just the events of their terms, and this book achieves that purpose as best as can be hoped for Truman.

Recommendation: Read the endnotes, too. There are some fascinating things hidden back there.

[Briar · Rating 4 out of 5]

"All leaders must be readers." You have to know a bit about the president before opening this book. Truman does not go into great depth about much. However, if you know a bit about him already, it's a charming but too short of a read.

[Jacquelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It ended really well and was filled with very cute stories. It's more of a book for a historian rather than the general public, though.

[Leonard · Rating 4 out of 5]

A brief autobiography compiled by his notes he kept during his lifetime. An interesting man.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the best of story tellers that Harry Truman, this book was a little dry. It was still very easy to read being that it was so short. Maybe the story being short and to the point helps describe the president better than if he would have added pages wherein he would try to prove that trait to the reader. I enjoyed it none the less.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Harry Truman's character shines when reading this unconventional biography. The text is from Truman's personal writings, and as such is raw and unpolished, and sadly, fast-forwards through his presidency. Truman was one of the great ones. This quick read indicates as much.