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The Wit & Wisdom of Harry Truman: A Treasury of Quotations, Anecdotes & Observations
Alex Ayres's latest volume in the acclaimed Wit and Wisdom series features memorable quotations, quips, and comments by one of our most outspoken presidents. Quotations are arranged alphabetically by subject, with a brief year-by-year history of Truman's life, along with the best things said about him during his presidency.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1996
8 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Ralph Keyes
21 books43 followersRalph Keyes is an American author. His 16 books include Is There Life After High School?, The Courage to Write, and The Post-Truth Era. That 2004 book illustrated Keyes's anticipation of social trends in his writing.
Keyes's books have dealt with topics in popular culture such as risk-taking, time pressure, loneliness, honesty, and human height. More recently he has turned to language: researching quotations, words, and expressions. "Nice Guys Finish Seventh" and The Quote Verifier explore the actual sources of familiar quotations. I Love It When You Talk Retro is about common words and phrases that are based on past events. His most recent book is Euphemania: Our Love Affair with Euphemisms. (The British edition is titled Unmentionables: From Family Jewels to Friendly Fire, What We Say Instead of What We Mean.)
Keyes has also written numerous articles for publications ranging from GQ to Good Housekeeping. An article he co-authored in 2002 won the McKinsey Award for Best Article of the Year in The Harvard Business Review.
Keyes is a frequent guest on NPR shows such as All Things Considered, Talk of the Nation, and On the Media; and has appeared on The Tonight Show, 20/20, and The Oprah Winfrey Show on television. He also speaks to professional, corporate and educational groups.
After graduating from Antioch College in 1967, Keyes did graduate work at the London School of Economics and Political Science. From 1968 to 1970 he worked as an assistant to Bill Moyers, then the publisher of Long Island's Newsday. For the following decade he was a Fellow of the Center for Studies of the Person in La Jolla, California, then did freelance writing and speaking in the Philadelphia area.
Keyes's books have dealt with topics in popular culture such as risk-taking, time pressure, loneliness, honesty, and human height. More recently he has turned to language: researching quotations, words, and expressions. "Nice Guys Finish Seventh" and The Quote Verifier explore the actual sources of familiar quotations. I Love It When You Talk Retro is about common words and phrases that are based on past events. His most recent book is Euphemania: Our Love Affair with Euphemisms. (The British edition is titled Unmentionables: From Family Jewels to Friendly Fire, What We Say Instead of What We Mean.)
Keyes has also written numerous articles for publications ranging from GQ to Good Housekeeping. An article he co-authored in 2002 won the McKinsey Award for Best Article of the Year in The Harvard Business Review.
Keyes is a frequent guest on NPR shows such as All Things Considered, Talk of the Nation, and On the Media; and has appeared on The Tonight Show, 20/20, and The Oprah Winfrey Show on television. He also speaks to professional, corporate and educational groups.
After graduating from Antioch College in 1967, Keyes did graduate work at the London School of Economics and Political Science. From 1968 to 1970 he worked as an assistant to Bill Moyers, then the publisher of Long Island's Newsday. For the following decade he was a Fellow of the Center for Studies of the Person in La Jolla, California, then did freelance writing and speaking in the Philadelphia area.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
September 20, 2023
Highly recommend reading this. There are so many amazing quotes and stories that can really make you think and learn. I wish our current politicians could act more like Harry.
November 20, 2017
This book brings to life the the wonderful character and direct honesty of Harry Truman. A man for his time brought to life by the remembrances of his humor and his wisdom! You gotta read this book. It will make you smile. You won't put it down!
December 25, 2020
There is a lot of wisdom in this book, but reading this book is like eating popcorn: it is good to snack on popcorn once a day, but not all day long. This is a book that you pick up and read for a few minutes now and then, but not straight through.
May 14, 2021
No matter your politics, the man is witty. A delightful read.
July 28, 2021
America is such as blessed country because of this person. He is such a witty and his wisdom is valuable.
March 30, 2008
So I have more than an idle curiousity about fellow natives of the Show Me state, so when I was in a bookstore in Seoul looking for something else to tear through, for $7 I couldn't pass it up.
I am ashamed I knew so little about such an honest, insightful and truly great American. I had no idea of his character, intelligence, and undying reverence for both the democratic principles that make America grate and the hardworking people he served...
If I were to ever take up the cross of public life, it would be with Harry Truman as one of the models.
I am ashamed I knew so little about such an honest, insightful and truly great American. I had no idea of his character, intelligence, and undying reverence for both the democratic principles that make America grate and the hardworking people he served...
If I were to ever take up the cross of public life, it would be with Harry Truman as one of the models.
March 5, 2015
I loved this collection of stories, quotes, etc. I didn't know a lot about Truman beforehand so reading this has gotten me interested in reading more about him.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews