Plain Speaking: An Oral Biography of Harry S. Truman
by Merle Miller
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Based on a series of interviews with the former President during the early sixties recounting his views of the historic times he lived in as well as his own life.Tags
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This book is a compilation of transcriptions of a series of interviews Miller did with Truman, and with others who knew and/or worked with Truman. The book covers almost Truman's entire life. The interviews were done (and filmed) for a TV documentary on Truman's life that was never completed.
The book is extremely interesting, in that I learned a lot about Truman, and about the era he lived in. For one thing, I had never realized Truman was such a populist and, in many ways, the last of the "self-made men" to become president.
It is refreshing that Truman is unequivocating here about his antipathies, stating quite forcefully his loathing for Eisenhower, Douglas McArthur and Nixon, for example.
The only real drawback to the book is that show more Miller frequently, and quite admittedly, pulls his punches in his questions, refraining from posing questions that he worries will offend or anger Truman. His reasoning is more or less understandable: he was always afraid Truman might withdraw from the project if irritated too much. Still, it leaves a reader wanting some tough questions asked relatively frequently.
However, overall, this book serves as a terrific history lesson, covering the period of the Depression through the early 60s, and a great introduction to Harry Truman. It has made me anxious to read the McCullough biography. show less
The book is extremely interesting, in that I learned a lot about Truman, and about the era he lived in. For one thing, I had never realized Truman was such a populist and, in many ways, the last of the "self-made men" to become president.
It is refreshing that Truman is unequivocating here about his antipathies, stating quite forcefully his loathing for Eisenhower, Douglas McArthur and Nixon, for example.
The only real drawback to the book is that show more Miller frequently, and quite admittedly, pulls his punches in his questions, refraining from posing questions that he worries will offend or anger Truman. His reasoning is more or less understandable: he was always afraid Truman might withdraw from the project if irritated too much. Still, it leaves a reader wanting some tough questions asked relatively frequently.
However, overall, this book serves as a terrific history lesson, covering the period of the Depression through the early 60s, and a great introduction to Harry Truman. It has made me anxious to read the McCullough biography. show less
Miller freely admits that he didn't ask some questions, and that Harry may well have mis-remembered some incidents ("a privilege of old men"). But it's rare that we get an interview with someone who was a candid as Harry about his life and career, about what he did and why he did it. And although Harry was as guilty of anyone at putting the best face on his actions, he doesn't deny them, or place the blame on unsupervised subordinates. President Truman comes across as someone who fully understood that the office of President was important, but kept a sense of humility about his service.
A big seller in its day, the 1970's. The Truman revealed here is of course the man the former president wishes he had been, and overall the book suffers from lack of perspective on the real historical meaning of HST. But it is a very readable set of anecdotes, and some of the man's depths are revealed in them. I'm not calling it a great biography, but it is an excellent extended interview, and a pretty good starting place for future study by the serious student.
Comprised of interviews in chronological order, Miller talks to Truman (as former President) as well as Mary Jane Truman (Truman's sister), fellow Battery D veteran Albert Ridge, even a childhood neighbor of Truman's, Henry Chiles. The interviews (as opposed to Miller's interpretation) allow for personalities to emerge. Miller spends more time delving into Truman's political and military careers instead of the more personal subjects such as Truman's childhood and relationships. There is a definite rapport between Miller and Truman and Miller is careful to avoid disrespect on several occasions.
While the interviews are very candid (I thoroughly enjoyed "hearing" Truman swear) I thought some sections were drawn out and much longer than show more they needed to be. I also found myself skipping some of the footnotes because they didn't always relate to the subject. Another small criticism I had is while reading it was sometimes difficult to know the difference between Truman answering a question and Miller telling his reader something. While he used a different font for the questions posed to the respondent he didn't for generalized comments to the reader. show less
While the interviews are very candid (I thoroughly enjoyed "hearing" Truman swear) I thought some sections were drawn out and much longer than show more they needed to be. I also found myself skipping some of the footnotes because they didn't always relate to the subject. Another small criticism I had is while reading it was sometimes difficult to know the difference between Truman answering a question and Miller telling his reader something. While he used a different font for the questions posed to the respondent he didn't for generalized comments to the reader. show less
Excellent book written with feeling about a great and underrated President. One of the few that said what he meant and meant what he said. The book was also refreshingly written in plain English. That's rare for a political science and/or history book.
1268. Plain Speaking: An Oral Biography of Harry S. Truman, by Merle Miller (28 Mar 1974) This book had its moments, especially in its earlier parts. But it is rambling, disorganized, and showed Harry as awfully cantankerous and opinionated. David McCullough's biography of Truman is a far superior effort.
Frank, corny, principled, tough--excellent self-portrait though stretched out some
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- Original title
- Plain speaking : an oral biography of Harry S. Truman
- Original publication date
- 1973
- People/Characters
- Dean Acheson; Dwight D. Eisenhower; John F. Kennedy; Joseph P. Kennedy, Sr.; Douglas MacArthur; Richard M. Nixon (show all 8); Bess Truman; Harry S. Truman
- Important places
- Independence, Missouri, USA; Missouri, USA; USA
- Related movies
- Harry S. Truman: Plain Speaking (1976 | IMDb)
- Epigraph
- For, the noblest deeds do not always shew men's virtues and vices, but oftentimes a light occasion, a word, or some sport makes men's natural dispositions and manners appear more plain, than the famous battles won, wherein ar... (show all)e slain ten thousand men, or the great armies, or cities won by siege or assault. --Plutarch, Alexander the Great, i
- Dedication
- For David W. Elliott, who has been urging me to do this book for almost ten years now, who became as familiar with and as fond of Harry Truman as I am and who, when the time came, did more than half the work and serves more t... (show all)han half the credit.
Also for Judy Freed, who insisted that I do it and even found a publisher.
And, of course, for Robert Alan Aurthur and David Susskind, without who I would never have met Harry Truman or any of the other people who inhabit these pages. They are mostly gone now, and I miss them. - First words
- One week in Independence I didn't talk to anyone who was less than seventy-five years old, and it was one of the pleasantest weeks of my life.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)Mr. Truman smiled, and he said, "I kept that in mind when I was in the White House, and I've had it in mind ever since I got my ...promotion."
- Original language*
- Englisch
*Some information comes from Common Knowledge in other languages. Click "Edit" for more information.
Classifications
- Genres
- Biography & Memoir, Nonfiction, History, General Nonfiction
- DDC/MDS
- 973.918 — History & geography History of North America United States 1901- WW1, WW2, Depression (1901-1953) Harry Truman, 1945-1953
- LCC
- E814 .M54 — History of the United States United States Twentieth century Truman's administrations, April 12, 1945-1953
- BISAC
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- 873
- Popularity
- 30,936
- Reviews
- 8
- Rating
- (3.86)
- Languages
- English, German
- Media
- Paper, Audiobook, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 18
- UPCs
- 1
- ASINs
- 18
