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Michael asked this question about The Accidental President: Harry S. Truman and the Four Months That Changed the World—A Fast-Paced Chronicle of Truman’s Tumultuous First Days Amidst World War II:
I’m wondering how many readers of this book have read David McCullough’s award winning biography Truman?
Hugh Conrad I read and heard a lecture by David McCullough in 1991 when Truman was number one on The NY Times bestseller list. Both the book and his lecture were …moreI read and heard a lecture by David McCullough in 1991 when Truman was number one on The NY Times bestseller list. Both the book and his lecture were fascinating.

McCullough, according to one historian whom I interviewed, had a very positive effect on the current reputation of Truman as a "Near Great" president. I remember the author explaining how he retraced the steps of Truman from the Senate cloakroom to the White House after being informed that he was needed immediately -- and then informed when he reached the WH that FDR had passed away.

That was a masterful presentation, and while Accidental President could never be compared to that treatise, it is a very interesting account that goes into more detail about certain aspects of Truman's early days. I thoroughly enjoyed it.(less)
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The Accidental President
by A.J. Baime
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