Speaking on Truman, McCullough describes how Truman grew in the office he inherited--showing listeners how this president was the ordinary American who, when put to the test, rose to the occasion and accomplished the extraordinary. A masterful analysis, this second installment in the Character Above All series will fascinate and educate all who listen.
David McCullough was a Yale-educated, two-time recipient of both the Pulitzer Prize (Truman; John Adams) and the National Book Award (The Path Between the Seas; Mornings on Horseback). His many other highly-acclaimed works of historical non-fiction include The Greater Journey, 1776, Brave Companions, The Great Bridge, The Wright Brothers, and The Johnstown Flood. He was honored with the National Book Foundation's Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters, the National Humanities Medal, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in addition to many other awards and honors. Mr. McCullough lived in Boston, Mass.
I actually read an old paperback transcription of these lectures/essays on 10 of our past presidents. It must be old, because it isn't listed here.
It is interesting to compare or contrast the perception of a president's character with his actual record or actions while in office. I liked some of the lectures/essays better than others, but overall it was well worth reading. I would be interested in hearing the audio edition as well.
McCullough is such a fantastic historian and writer. There was so much detail and insight about Truman that I had never known before. The book is a daunting endeavor. I listened to it as an audiobook - 52 cassettes! But I enjoyed it thoroughly. It instilled in me a profound new respect for this man who filled the office of president during such a challenging time in our nation's history. A great book!