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The Soldier from Independence: A Military Biography of Harry Truman
Harry S. Truman was Commander-in-Chief at one of the (if not the) critical moments in American--and global--military history: when the decision had to be made to drop the Bomb. As to his military credentials, however, he is often dismissed as little more than a weekend warrior, the Kansas City haberdasher. Yet nothing could be farther from the truth, as this book makes clear.
Revealing the little-known facts of Truman s remarkable military performance--as a soldier and as a politician--The Soldier from Independence adds a whole new dimension to the already fascinating character of the thirty-third president of the United States. Author Dennis Giangreco shows how, as a field artillery battery commander in World War I, Truman was already making the hard decisions that he knew to be right, regardless of personal consequences. Giangreco describes how Truman saved a neighboring infantry regiment from a surprise German attack, only to be rebuked by his regimental commander. Truman would have been court martialed, which certainly would have derailed any future career in politics, but for the intervention of commander of American forces in France General John J. Black Jack Pershing. The book also recounts Truman s activities as head of the Senate Armed Forces Committee during the build-up to and early years of WWII--activities that made him the most powerful man in military affairs next to President Roosevelt.
Truman oversaw the end of the war, stood up to Stalin, and met the test of North Korea s invasion of the south. He also had the fortitude to stand up to General Douglas MacArthur, one of America s most revered wartime leaders, and ultimately fired the Far East commander who has been characterized as the American Caesar. Filling in the details behind these world-changing events, this military biography supplies a heretofore missing--and critical--chapter in the story of one of the nation s most important presidents.
Revealing the little-known facts of Truman s remarkable military performance--as a soldier and as a politician--The Soldier from Independence adds a whole new dimension to the already fascinating character of the thirty-third president of the United States. Author Dennis Giangreco shows how, as a field artillery battery commander in World War I, Truman was already making the hard decisions that he knew to be right, regardless of personal consequences. Giangreco describes how Truman saved a neighboring infantry regiment from a surprise German attack, only to be rebuked by his regimental commander. Truman would have been court martialed, which certainly would have derailed any future career in politics, but for the intervention of commander of American forces in France General John J. Black Jack Pershing. The book also recounts Truman s activities as head of the Senate Armed Forces Committee during the build-up to and early years of WWII--activities that made him the most powerful man in military affairs next to President Roosevelt.
Truman oversaw the end of the war, stood up to Stalin, and met the test of North Korea s invasion of the south. He also had the fortitude to stand up to General Douglas MacArthur, one of America s most revered wartime leaders, and ultimately fired the Far East commander who has been characterized as the American Caesar. Filling in the details behind these world-changing events, this military biography supplies a heretofore missing--and critical--chapter in the story of one of the nation s most important presidents.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 25, 2020
"Dizzy D [the nickname for the 129th Artillery, Battery D] believed that the previous night's mission had been a resounding success. There were mishaps galore, explosions, panic . . . yet the battery had carried out its mission, and not one man had been injured or killed. The men were convinced that their courageous captain was the key to it all . . . there was no disagreement when it came to Truman. Said [one soldier] 'We have a captain who cannot be beaten.' They would follow him anywhere." -- the author, pages 141-142
Almost thirty years before he served as America's 33rd president - at the time a very unenviable position, as he was succeeding the popular / long-serving Franklin Roosevelt, who guided the nation through the majority of the dark days of WWII - Harry S Truman first gained and earned leadership qualities and skills that would help his political career as a front-line U.S. Army officer during WWI. Truman is also sort of unique in that he is our most recent president who did not have a college degree (not that it was any sort of hindrance to him), and he is also one of the very few that held the POTUS office during the 20th century who had experience as a 'citizen soldier' combat veteran.
The initial 100 or so pages of The Soldier from Independence (referring to Independence, Missouri - Truman's adopted hometown) were very compelling, providing great detail on his entry into military service as a relatively young man and the stateside training / experiences he received at bases in Missouri and Oklahoma. Then his battery is mobilized and sent overseas to France - it took thirteen days to cross the Atlantic by ship (ugh!) - during America's late entry in 'The War to End All Wars.' It was then the book became sort of dry, as the many skirmishes and battles became repetitious-sounding (lots of mud and misery), and the narrative would probably be of interest only to the most die-hard of military historians. Still - and this is especially appropriate as I'm composing this review on our nation's Memorial Day - I'm grateful that men like Truman, and especially the men of his and the other batteries who DIDN'T make it back home from the war - chose to serve our country.
Almost thirty years before he served as America's 33rd president - at the time a very unenviable position, as he was succeeding the popular / long-serving Franklin Roosevelt, who guided the nation through the majority of the dark days of WWII - Harry S Truman first gained and earned leadership qualities and skills that would help his political career as a front-line U.S. Army officer during WWI. Truman is also sort of unique in that he is our most recent president who did not have a college degree (not that it was any sort of hindrance to him), and he is also one of the very few that held the POTUS office during the 20th century who had experience as a 'citizen soldier' combat veteran.
The initial 100 or so pages of The Soldier from Independence (referring to Independence, Missouri - Truman's adopted hometown) were very compelling, providing great detail on his entry into military service as a relatively young man and the stateside training / experiences he received at bases in Missouri and Oklahoma. Then his battery is mobilized and sent overseas to France - it took thirteen days to cross the Atlantic by ship (ugh!) - during America's late entry in 'The War to End All Wars.' It was then the book became sort of dry, as the many skirmishes and battles became repetitious-sounding (lots of mud and misery), and the narrative would probably be of interest only to the most die-hard of military historians. Still - and this is especially appropriate as I'm composing this review on our nation's Memorial Day - I'm grateful that men like Truman, and especially the men of his and the other batteries who DIDN'T make it back home from the war - chose to serve our country.
August 4, 2022
over half of this is about extensive training, mentions his visit to NYC and his thoughts about france. B/W pix.
February 23, 2015
A bit dry.
January 17, 2017
i think that this book is interesting so far I'm not far enough in to it yet to determine wether or not i like it.
April 26, 2022
Wonderful book
Truman was a bonified hero in the Army as well as his political career. Yet many have marginalized his contribution. FDR barely acknowledged him when Truman was his Vice President. Truman was a much greater MAN than FDR. It's a shame Truman wasn't President at the out brake of WW2. Stalin certainly wouldn't have gotten the kid-glove treatment he got from the buffoon FDR.
Truman was a bonified hero in the Army as well as his political career. Yet many have marginalized his contribution. FDR barely acknowledged him when Truman was his Vice President. Truman was a much greater MAN than FDR. It's a shame Truman wasn't President at the out brake of WW2. Stalin certainly wouldn't have gotten the kid-glove treatment he got from the buffoon FDR.
June 16, 2025
I purchased my copy of this book in paperback in the gift shop at the National World War One Museum & Memorial in Kansas City, MO while visiting the museum in February 2024. The book is an interesting one for those interested in the life of Harry Truman, or for those interested in WW1 history. The book covers Truman's military service starting in the Missouri National Guard, and ends with his return to the USA after WW1.
Like a lot of books about WW1, the description of the various battles depends more on words than on maps or pictures, making the action a little hard to follow. There is one map, but a few more would have helped. Still, this is only a quibble about what is a fine book. I learned a lot about how artillery was used in WW1. Four out of five stars.
Like a lot of books about WW1, the description of the various battles depends more on words than on maps or pictures, making the action a little hard to follow. There is one map, but a few more would have helped. Still, this is only a quibble about what is a fine book. I learned a lot about how artillery was used in WW1. Four out of five stars.
January 21, 2016
An exceptional collection of information on the military career of Captain Harry S Truman. The book does so well to chart Truman's progress through the ranks up to his service in World War I. I held back one star because the detail seemed to fade just as Truman's desire grew to go home once the war was over.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews