Truman
by David McCullough · first published 1992
60% recommend40% neutral
The Pulitzer Prize–winning biography of Harry S. Truman, whose presidency included momentous events from the atomic bombing of Japan to the outbreak of the Cold War and the Korean War, told by America’s beloved and distinguished historian. The life of Harry S. Truman is one of the greatest of American stories, filled with vivid characters—Roosevelt, Churchill, Stalin, Eleanor Roosevelt, Bess Wallace Truman, George Marshall, Joe McCarthy, and Dean Acheson—and dramatic events. In this riveting biography, acclaimed historian David McCullough not only captures the man—a more complex, informed,
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Truman by David McCullough: https://www.goodreads.com/zh/book/show/2279 Really amazing biography about a man who became president by accident and guided country during the initial years of the atomic age. He…
on “Ask HN: Any interesting books you have read lately?” ↗Truman: https://www.amazon.com/Truman-David-McCullough/dp/1442387807 Grant: https://www.amazon.com/Grant/dp/178854160X The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt: https://www.amazon.com/Theodore-Roosevelt-Modern-Library-Pap...
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2023 and recommend for 2024” ↗…Ever since finishing them, I have been on the hunt for historical biographies of similar quality. While I haven't found any that match up completely, here are a few that come close in my opinion: * Truman by David McCullough * Grant by Ron Chernow * American Caesar by William Manchester I've also read the three-part Churchill series by Manchester, but it didn’t quite measure up to the LBJ series for…
on “An Interview with Robert Caro and Kurt Vonnegut (1999)” ↗John Forbes Nash: "A Beautiful Mind" by Sylvia Nasir Richard Feynman: "Genius" by James Gleick "The Passion of Ayn Rand" by Barbara Brandon "John Adams" and "Truman" by David McCullough "Lincoln the Unknown" by Dale Carnegie
on “Ask HN: What are some good biographies to read?” ↗…Robert Caro stands head and shoulders above everything else. Some other good ones, including a great series about Winston Churchill: Mornings on Horseback - about Teddy Roosevelt by David McCullough Truman - David McCullough The Last Lion - series of books about Churchill. I forget the author. All of Doris Kearns Goodwin books are excellent, as well. She's covered a lot of presidents.
on “Ask HN: Favourite biographies about USA presidents?” ↗…less which theory you pick. These stories need to be remembered. Whenever this topic comes up I reminded of this quote: But perhaps George M. Elsey, a young naval intelligence officer assigned to the Truman White House, provided the best reply to revisionist historians and others who question the decision to drop the atomic bombs. Asked by David McCullough for his biography of the President (Truman, Simon…
on “The Bomb Didn't Beat Japan” ↗Reading McCullough bio of Truman and Caro bio of LBJ lead me to the same conclusion. It was brutal, and most who saw any means of escape seized it I’m compelled by the romantic nostalgia, but I know I personally couldn’t cut the mustard
on “Wendell Berry has died” ↗