Mr. Truman's War:: The Final Victories of World War II and the Birth of the Postwar World

Modern War Studies

by J. Robert Moskin

In his first three months in office President Harry Truman was forced to face the greatest challenges ever to confront a world leader--including the decision to drop the A-bomb, the beginning of the Cold War, and more. Now, the former foreign editor for Look magazine presents, for the first time, the dramatic story of Truman's first five months as president.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

411 pages, Hardcover

First published June 11, 1996

Reviews

[Kenneth Barber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book looks at the presidency of Harry Truman for his first six months in the area of foreign affairs. As he came to the office the war in Europe was winding down. However, there were many questions to be answered. Should the Americans or British try to capture Berlin or let the Russians liberate the city. The zones of occupation had to be finalized and should the French be given an area. How to handle the occupation of Eastern Europe and Russian demands for reparations. Austria and Italy also posed problems. The formation of the United Nations and how many votes Russia wanted in that body plus the issue of veto power had to be dealt with.
Truman faced as many problems in the Pacific War. The decision to use the atomic bomb, the invasion of the home islands of Japan, the fate of the emperor all had to be solved. Korea, Indochina, China and Russian entry into the war were all pressing issues.
Truman had no grace period to become attuned to the office. Decisions that could not be delayed and the Potsdam conference kept Truman occupied with no respite. The decisions he made have influenced America and the world to this day.