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Bess Truman
The astonishing story of Bess Truman and her love for her husband, Harry, as only their daughter could tell it.
Bess Truman is more than a rare, intimate, and surprising portrait of a famous First Lady who kept her deepest feelings - and considerable influence on President Truman - hidden from public view. It also is the heartwarming story of an enduring love and a remarkable political partnership.
Bess Wallace was born in 1885 in Independence, Missouri, into a secure world full of strong ideas. Young Bess was beautiful, popular, and strong-willed and could play third base and swim and ride as well as any boy. Harry Truman was a farmer's son to whom Bess always seemed out of reach. Their courtship was long and arduous, but Harry - as revealed through his endearing letters - was full of humor, gentleness, determination, and undying love that would win Bess over to him. And for sixty-nine years, Harry would be the center of her life.
Margaret Truman has been able to draw on her own personal reminiscences and a treasure trove of letters never before published - more than 1,000 from Bess found after her death and several hundred from Harry - to bring her mother and father wonderfully alive. Through their frank, uninhibited correspondence, we get a richly detailed picture of their lifelong love affair and marriage. And through the eyes of the Trumans, we come to know history as they made it.
Margaret Truman reveals the strong role her mother played in Harry Truman's important decisions. We are there during Harry's ascent to the Senate, the vice presidency, and after the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt, to the White House itself. And we see history from the inside out as the lives of Harry and Bess evoke the great events of the Truman era - the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, the stunning upset of Thomas Dewey, the firing of Douglas MacArthur at the height of the Korean War, the vicious McCarthy hearings, and much more.
And we are there during sickness, tragedy, and triumph, as well as the Trumans' final years in Independence.
Bess Truman recreates the human drama of an extraordinary woman and a man who became one of America's most beloved presidents.
Bess Truman is more than a rare, intimate, and surprising portrait of a famous First Lady who kept her deepest feelings - and considerable influence on President Truman - hidden from public view. It also is the heartwarming story of an enduring love and a remarkable political partnership.
Bess Wallace was born in 1885 in Independence, Missouri, into a secure world full of strong ideas. Young Bess was beautiful, popular, and strong-willed and could play third base and swim and ride as well as any boy. Harry Truman was a farmer's son to whom Bess always seemed out of reach. Their courtship was long and arduous, but Harry - as revealed through his endearing letters - was full of humor, gentleness, determination, and undying love that would win Bess over to him. And for sixty-nine years, Harry would be the center of her life.
Margaret Truman has been able to draw on her own personal reminiscences and a treasure trove of letters never before published - more than 1,000 from Bess found after her death and several hundred from Harry - to bring her mother and father wonderfully alive. Through their frank, uninhibited correspondence, we get a richly detailed picture of their lifelong love affair and marriage. And through the eyes of the Trumans, we come to know history as they made it.
Margaret Truman reveals the strong role her mother played in Harry Truman's important decisions. We are there during Harry's ascent to the Senate, the vice presidency, and after the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt, to the White House itself. And we see history from the inside out as the lives of Harry and Bess evoke the great events of the Truman era - the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, the stunning upset of Thomas Dewey, the firing of Douglas MacArthur at the height of the Korean War, the vicious McCarthy hearings, and much more.
And we are there during sickness, tragedy, and triumph, as well as the Trumans' final years in Independence.
Bess Truman recreates the human drama of an extraordinary woman and a man who became one of America's most beloved presidents.
535 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1986
130 people are currently reading
525 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Truman
86 books259 followersMary Margaret Truman Daniel was an American classical soprano, actress, journalist, radio and television personality, writer, and New York socialite. She was the only child of President Harry Truman and First Lady Bess Truman. While her father was president during the years 1945 to 1953, Margaret regularly accompanied him on campaign trips, such as the 1948 countrywide whistle-stop campaign lasting several weeks. She also appeared at important White House and political events during those years, being a favorite with the media.
After graduating from George Washington University in 1946, she embarked on a career as a coloratura soprano, beginning with a concert appearance with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in 1947. She appeared in concerts with orchestras throughout the United States and in recitals throughout the U.S. through 1956. She made recordings for RCA Victor, and made television appearances on programs like What's My Line? and The Bell Telephone Hour.
In 1957, one year after her marriage, Truman abandoned her singing career to pursue a career as a journalist and radio personality, when she became the co-host of the program Weekday with Mike Wallace. She also wrote articles as an independent journalist, for a variety of publications in the 1960s and 1970s. She later became the successful author of a series of murder mysteries, and a number of works on U.S. First Ladies and First Families, including well-received biographies of her father, President Harry S. Truman and mother Bess Truman.
She was married to journalist Clifton Daniel, managing editor of The New York Times. The couple had four sons, and were prominent New York socialites who often hosted events for the New York elite.
After graduating from George Washington University in 1946, she embarked on a career as a coloratura soprano, beginning with a concert appearance with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in 1947. She appeared in concerts with orchestras throughout the United States and in recitals throughout the U.S. through 1956. She made recordings for RCA Victor, and made television appearances on programs like What's My Line? and The Bell Telephone Hour.
In 1957, one year after her marriage, Truman abandoned her singing career to pursue a career as a journalist and radio personality, when she became the co-host of the program Weekday with Mike Wallace. She also wrote articles as an independent journalist, for a variety of publications in the 1960s and 1970s. She later became the successful author of a series of murder mysteries, and a number of works on U.S. First Ladies and First Families, including well-received biographies of her father, President Harry S. Truman and mother Bess Truman.
She was married to journalist Clifton Daniel, managing editor of The New York Times. The couple had four sons, and were prominent New York socialites who often hosted events for the New York elite.
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October 27, 2016
Margaret Truman said writing this book was the hardest thing she had ever done. Trying to step out of the role of daughter and examine her mother from a different viewpoint. Margaret Truman did an excellent job researching for this book. She says she spend days at the Truman Presidential Library going through thousands of letter and other documents about Bess. The author notes that Bess burned most of her letters to Harry but he kept all of his. Margaret states they went to Sunday school, public school from the fifth grade through high school together and graduated in the same class. They were married right after Harry returned from World War I on June 28, 1919.
The book provides an inside view of the Truman presidency and of the marriage. It is clear from the book that Bess did not want to be First Lady. Who would want to follow after Eleanor Roosevelt? The author details the importance that communication played in the family and tells the story of Bess joining Harry in his upstairs study each night for a long quiet discussion of the issues, the problems and the personalities he faced that day. As First Lady Bess reinstated the formal White House social season that had been put on hold during the Depression and World War II. The author states that Bess was interested in White House history. When asked what was her favorite period in the White House history she replied it was the Monroe White House and Elizabeth Monroe.
In the book Bess comes across as a strong, independent woman who was largely misunderstood and dismissed by the public. Margaret describes her mother as a warm hearted, kind lady, with a sense of humor, a merry, twinkling wit and a tremendous capacity for enjoying life. I was most impressed with Bess’s one liners in the book. They are hilarious.
When they were apart the Trumans wrote each other every day. I observed they both carried on regular letter writing with friends. I have also noted in other biographies I have read that people wrote lots of letters. Seems people no longer write letters, no wonder the Post Office is in trouble. Letter writing is becoming a lost art.
I had no idea the love and commitment the Trumans had for each other or how long they had waited to get married. One item I noted was they liked to sit and read books together in the evening. It was their favorite pastime.
I found the book well-written and research and I learned a great deal about both Bess and Harry Truman and the times they lived it. The book was 535 pages published in 1986. I read this on my Kindle app for my iPad.
The book provides an inside view of the Truman presidency and of the marriage. It is clear from the book that Bess did not want to be First Lady. Who would want to follow after Eleanor Roosevelt? The author details the importance that communication played in the family and tells the story of Bess joining Harry in his upstairs study each night for a long quiet discussion of the issues, the problems and the personalities he faced that day. As First Lady Bess reinstated the formal White House social season that had been put on hold during the Depression and World War II. The author states that Bess was interested in White House history. When asked what was her favorite period in the White House history she replied it was the Monroe White House and Elizabeth Monroe.
In the book Bess comes across as a strong, independent woman who was largely misunderstood and dismissed by the public. Margaret describes her mother as a warm hearted, kind lady, with a sense of humor, a merry, twinkling wit and a tremendous capacity for enjoying life. I was most impressed with Bess’s one liners in the book. They are hilarious.
When they were apart the Trumans wrote each other every day. I observed they both carried on regular letter writing with friends. I have also noted in other biographies I have read that people wrote lots of letters. Seems people no longer write letters, no wonder the Post Office is in trouble. Letter writing is becoming a lost art.
I had no idea the love and commitment the Trumans had for each other or how long they had waited to get married. One item I noted was they liked to sit and read books together in the evening. It was their favorite pastime.
I found the book well-written and research and I learned a great deal about both Bess and Harry Truman and the times they lived it. The book was 535 pages published in 1986. I read this on my Kindle app for my iPad.
January 24, 2014
I really liked this book. After reading 'Truman' by David McCullough, I really admired Harry Truman, but I got the sense that he was married to a pretty unpleasant person. After reading this book I completely changed my mind. Bess Truman was an incredibly strong, independent woman who was largely misunderstood. I actually felt like she would be someone you could have a good laugh with. Her one liners in this book are surprisingly hilarious. Really fun read!
November 26, 2014
Great read! I gained a new appreciation for the political climate in the country in the early to mid 20th century, and really enjoyed Margaret Truman's writing style.
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September 1, 2025Loved hearing about Bess Truman from her daughter. Such a unique perspective.
July 5, 2018
This biography of Bess Truman, written by her daughter Margaret, was drawn from over 1000 personal letters as well, of course, from personal knowing. Several of the letters are from Bess Truman’s personal friends and from her family but by a huge margin the greatest number are from her husband, Harry. He wrote her prolifically – when he was overseas in the army, when he was in the U.S. Senate, when he was in the White House, whenever he was away, when she was celebrating a birthday or their wedding anniversary. Sometimes he unburdened himself about affairs of state, often he sought her advice, always he declared how much he loved her and how he still thought of her as the prettiest girl in the world.
Not too many of her letters to him are preserved. After they left the White House and retired to their home in Independence, MO, they began sorting through their memorabilia. Harry came upon Bess throwing her letters into the burning fireplace. He said, “Don’t you think you should save them? Think of history.” “I am,” was her retort as she continued to throw correspondence she had written into the fireplace. That anecdote neatly sums up Bess Truman.
She did not want to be a public person. She did not want Harry to enter politics. She did not want him to be President but that was thrust upon him. And that was one reason she did not want him to accept the VP spot. Nonetheless once he made up his mind, she supported him. She wanted to win. She had a fierce competitive streak, which Margaret attributes to her love of athletics. Apparently she was quite a tomboy and a good athlete when she was young and was actively interested in sporting events all of her life. She had to drag Harry to baseball games and fishing. But in the political arena, she was famous for saying, “A woman’s place in public is to sit beside her husband, be silent, and be sure her hat is on straight.” She was always a lady. Those who knew her best were lifelong friends and among them there was great loyalty and devotion. The public and the press and the Washington D.C. crowd didn’t always warm to her or she to them, although Margaret writes that she mellowed with age and lost much, but not all, of her distaste for the press and politics. In fact, at the end of Harry’s presidency, Bess who once hated D.C. would have liked to maintain a home in Washington, even though she was adamantly opposed to Harry’s seeking a second full term. The stress of the presidency was taking an unsustainable toll on Harry’s health, Bess told him when he wavered in his decision.
Whatever impression I had of Mrs. Harry Truman before reading this biography tended toward the negative, although I didn’t know much about her. I knew that Harry Truman was devoted to her. I never understood why. She seemed stern, austere and, I thought, unsupportive, given her frequent stays at her family home in Independence when the President desperately wanted her by his side in Washington. I still think stern and austere were not far wrong, but thinking of her as unsupportive was wrong.
Bess’ family, on her mother’s side, was small town aristocracy, although the Wallace family harbored a dark secret that marked Bess for life. Harry’s family were farmers. Harry claims he fell in love with Bess when he first saw her in Sunday School when he was five. She never noticed him. He remained in love with her for the rest of his life, although they did not marry until they were in their mid-30s – WW I intervened, he had a series of unsuccessful jobs, and her family wasn’t wild about Harry.
Harry was “what you see is what you get”; with Bess you never saw very much, she was always guarded. It seems clear to me that Margaret was much closer to her father than she was to her mother, although the Trumans were a closely knit family. He was effusive in his praise and encouraged Margaret in whatever she wanted to do. Her mother was the disciplinarian, the worrier (a professional worrier, Margaret called her), and never effusive with compliments. I sometimes felt while reading this book that Margaret wanted to defend her mother from the somewhat negative reputation she acquired, but Margaret did not write a hagiography. She wanted us to know that her mother prized loyalty above almost everything else, that she assumed, uncomplainingly, the large burdens of caring for (emotionally supporting) her demanding mother and one of her hapless brothers, that she was philanthropic, that she was her father’s most trusted advisor on all matters, that she was always down-to-earth no matter where or who she was, that she had a robust sense of humor and of the ridiculous, and that she had that rare quality of common sense. She could also be quite acerbic and was a terrible penny pincher. To save money, she tried to make Harry mow the lawn after they retired to Independence. He didn’t want to. She pestered him, so one Sunday morning when she came home from church she found him mowing the lawn. She was aghast. Everyone would know that he didn’t go to church. Harry won that one.
It’s Bess’ biography, but the growing up years that focused mostly on Bess, the Wallaces, and their neighborhood friends was rather tedious, as was the detail on the local politics in which Harry was active. The part that focuses on Harry’s presidency was the most interesting. I found it curious that very little space is given to Truman’s decision to drop the bomb and the aftermath. Perhaps that’s because it was the one decision that Harry made without consulting Bess or even telling her he was going to do it. She was furious. Not because he dropped the bomb but because he didn’t talk to her about it first. It caused a disruption in their household peace for some time.
Much more space is given to discussing the rise of the Cold War, Stalin, the Marshall Plan, McCarthyism, the beginning of the Korean War, McArthur’s firing, NATO, the Democratic National Conventions, various Presidential candidates, and the Republicans who made Truman’s life hell. Interesting insights.
I always enjoy a little bit of gossip and Margaret gives us some. Bess did not like FDR but she liked Eleanor, although the role they played as First Lady was very different. Eleanor expressed her views publicly, Bess did not. Eleanor held press conferences, Bess canceled them when she became First Lady much to the consternation of the press. She asked that the press submit questions in writing. She usually answered them by writing, “no comment.” She did not like Ike but she liked Mamie. She liked Betty Ford, even though their styles were very different. She did not like either of the Carters. At her funeral all of the living First Ladies were invited except Mrs. Carter. Margaret records that she came anyway.
Bess’ given name was Elizabeth but she was always called Bess except for those occasional times when Harry teasingly called her Lizzie. Bess was not amused. She was much honored in the post-Presidential years and aspiring politicians came to her to seek her endorsement. She always tried to represent mid-American values. She lived to be 97. That’s got to count for something.
If I were to start over again in my decision to read just one biography of Bess Truman, it might be one not written by her daughter. This one was okay, it seemed fair, and Margaret was able to share some things that other might not have known. But an outsider might have provided a wider social context and analysis.
Not too many of her letters to him are preserved. After they left the White House and retired to their home in Independence, MO, they began sorting through their memorabilia. Harry came upon Bess throwing her letters into the burning fireplace. He said, “Don’t you think you should save them? Think of history.” “I am,” was her retort as she continued to throw correspondence she had written into the fireplace. That anecdote neatly sums up Bess Truman.
She did not want to be a public person. She did not want Harry to enter politics. She did not want him to be President but that was thrust upon him. And that was one reason she did not want him to accept the VP spot. Nonetheless once he made up his mind, she supported him. She wanted to win. She had a fierce competitive streak, which Margaret attributes to her love of athletics. Apparently she was quite a tomboy and a good athlete when she was young and was actively interested in sporting events all of her life. She had to drag Harry to baseball games and fishing. But in the political arena, she was famous for saying, “A woman’s place in public is to sit beside her husband, be silent, and be sure her hat is on straight.” She was always a lady. Those who knew her best were lifelong friends and among them there was great loyalty and devotion. The public and the press and the Washington D.C. crowd didn’t always warm to her or she to them, although Margaret writes that she mellowed with age and lost much, but not all, of her distaste for the press and politics. In fact, at the end of Harry’s presidency, Bess who once hated D.C. would have liked to maintain a home in Washington, even though she was adamantly opposed to Harry’s seeking a second full term. The stress of the presidency was taking an unsustainable toll on Harry’s health, Bess told him when he wavered in his decision.
Whatever impression I had of Mrs. Harry Truman before reading this biography tended toward the negative, although I didn’t know much about her. I knew that Harry Truman was devoted to her. I never understood why. She seemed stern, austere and, I thought, unsupportive, given her frequent stays at her family home in Independence when the President desperately wanted her by his side in Washington. I still think stern and austere were not far wrong, but thinking of her as unsupportive was wrong.
Bess’ family, on her mother’s side, was small town aristocracy, although the Wallace family harbored a dark secret that marked Bess for life. Harry’s family were farmers. Harry claims he fell in love with Bess when he first saw her in Sunday School when he was five. She never noticed him. He remained in love with her for the rest of his life, although they did not marry until they were in their mid-30s – WW I intervened, he had a series of unsuccessful jobs, and her family wasn’t wild about Harry.
Harry was “what you see is what you get”; with Bess you never saw very much, she was always guarded. It seems clear to me that Margaret was much closer to her father than she was to her mother, although the Trumans were a closely knit family. He was effusive in his praise and encouraged Margaret in whatever she wanted to do. Her mother was the disciplinarian, the worrier (a professional worrier, Margaret called her), and never effusive with compliments. I sometimes felt while reading this book that Margaret wanted to defend her mother from the somewhat negative reputation she acquired, but Margaret did not write a hagiography. She wanted us to know that her mother prized loyalty above almost everything else, that she assumed, uncomplainingly, the large burdens of caring for (emotionally supporting) her demanding mother and one of her hapless brothers, that she was philanthropic, that she was her father’s most trusted advisor on all matters, that she was always down-to-earth no matter where or who she was, that she had a robust sense of humor and of the ridiculous, and that she had that rare quality of common sense. She could also be quite acerbic and was a terrible penny pincher. To save money, she tried to make Harry mow the lawn after they retired to Independence. He didn’t want to. She pestered him, so one Sunday morning when she came home from church she found him mowing the lawn. She was aghast. Everyone would know that he didn’t go to church. Harry won that one.
It’s Bess’ biography, but the growing up years that focused mostly on Bess, the Wallaces, and their neighborhood friends was rather tedious, as was the detail on the local politics in which Harry was active. The part that focuses on Harry’s presidency was the most interesting. I found it curious that very little space is given to Truman’s decision to drop the bomb and the aftermath. Perhaps that’s because it was the one decision that Harry made without consulting Bess or even telling her he was going to do it. She was furious. Not because he dropped the bomb but because he didn’t talk to her about it first. It caused a disruption in their household peace for some time.
Much more space is given to discussing the rise of the Cold War, Stalin, the Marshall Plan, McCarthyism, the beginning of the Korean War, McArthur’s firing, NATO, the Democratic National Conventions, various Presidential candidates, and the Republicans who made Truman’s life hell. Interesting insights.
I always enjoy a little bit of gossip and Margaret gives us some. Bess did not like FDR but she liked Eleanor, although the role they played as First Lady was very different. Eleanor expressed her views publicly, Bess did not. Eleanor held press conferences, Bess canceled them when she became First Lady much to the consternation of the press. She asked that the press submit questions in writing. She usually answered them by writing, “no comment.” She did not like Ike but she liked Mamie. She liked Betty Ford, even though their styles were very different. She did not like either of the Carters. At her funeral all of the living First Ladies were invited except Mrs. Carter. Margaret records that she came anyway.
Bess’ given name was Elizabeth but she was always called Bess except for those occasional times when Harry teasingly called her Lizzie. Bess was not amused. She was much honored in the post-Presidential years and aspiring politicians came to her to seek her endorsement. She always tried to represent mid-American values. She lived to be 97. That’s got to count for something.
If I were to start over again in my decision to read just one biography of Bess Truman, it might be one not written by her daughter. This one was okay, it seemed fair, and Margaret was able to share some things that other might not have known. But an outsider might have provided a wider social context and analysis.
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June 30, 2015I found this a very interesting insight into the lives of a couple who loved each other very much. They were good, honest people, unlike some of their predecessors. Politics seems to have been the same through all the years--constant arguing and disagreements with not enough progress being made. I doubt that will change anytime soon but it is far better than what other countries experience with dictatorships, terrorism and lack of freedom for their citizens.
December 30, 2016
I read this book immediately after finishing Truman by David McCullough. I thought Margaret did a good job of revealing the personality of her mother. It was helpful to have this insight. As I read Truman, it was obvious that Bess was frequently away from Harry's side. Harry's unfailing devotion to Bess was truly a grand love story. I really enjoyed the insight into the life of a politician and his wife.
January 31, 2016
It took me several months to read this book, and not because I found it boring and uninteresting. Whenever I picked it up, I became engaged with history. Perhaps because I had recently read David McCullough's book on Truman I did not make this priority reading. But I love the Truman story. Because this is about Bess Truman from the viewpoint of her daughter, the perspective was more personal.
September 10, 2019
And I thought I knew all about the Trumans!
Like many Americans, I’m a great admirer of Harry and Bess Truman and I thought I knew all about them. Harry was the Man from Independence . Harry and Bess were childhood sweethearts. Bess was an equal partner in her husband’s political career - managing his Senate office, encouraging his rise in politics, and serving as his sounding board and closest adviser when he was President. She was (according to observers) a completely devoted wife and mother.
In reality, Bess was from Independence, but Harry grew up on a farm quite a distance from the town. They were NOT childhood sweethearts. Harry may have fallen in love with Bess the first time he saw her, but her family was several social cuts above his and he didn’t fit into her world. She was opposed to him running for the Senate, although she later came to enjoy life as a Senator’s wife.
She didn’t run his Senate office, but was put on the payroll there because her small salary was desperately needed to support the family. She was strongly opposed to his accepting FDR’s offer of the Vice-Presidency and fought tooth and nail against it. She feared FDR’s death and hated the idea of being a First Lady. And until her mother’s death, she was far more devoted to that lady than to either her husband or her daughter!
I found this book on sale and only hesitated about buying it because I wasn’t sure Margaret Truman could be even-handed about her mother’s life. I needn’t have worried. She loved both her parents, but by the time she wrote this book, she was 62 years old and the mother of four grown sons herself. She could see her parents clearly and honestly, with tolerance and humor. She appreciates their strengths, but never ignores their weaknesses.
A valuable source was letters she found in Bess Truman’s house after her death. Those letters had been mislaid and forgotten or the very private Mrs. Truman would have destroyed them. After he left the White House, Harry Truman was horrified to find his wife burning some of their letters. “Think of history!” he protested. “I AM!” she replied grimly. Fortunately, Bess and Harry Truman were prolific letter writers and many exchanges were saved, along with letters from her many friends. I think Margaret Truman was as surprised by what she learned in these letters as I was.
The best words to apply to Bess Truman are “oldest child.” Back in the days of large families, birth order was an important factor in determining personality. The oldest child in a large family is normally overly responsible and carries that burden into adulthood.
Bess Truman’s life was driven by one event - her father’s suicide when she was a young girl. Her mother had an iron will, carefully camouflaged by assumed helplessness and fake ill-health. Her husband had "escaped" and caused heartache and shame by doing so. In retaliation, she ruthlessly bound her children to her with umbilical cords of steel. As the oldest child and only daughter, Bess believed that her mother's happiness was her primary responsibility. That obsessive sense of responsibility deeply affected her marriage and her relationship with her daughter.
This is a fascinating, well-written book. If I’d realized it's over 400 pages long, I probably would have passed it up. Fortunately, I didn’t. I wasn’t even tempted to skim because every word held my attention.
It’s a valuable look, not just at Bess Truman, but at American social, economic, and political life in the 1900’s. There are incredible stories of Bess, Harry, their relatives and friends, and all the worthy and unworthy political allies and opponents they dealt with. I wouldn’t have missed this book for anything!
Like many Americans, I’m a great admirer of Harry and Bess Truman and I thought I knew all about them. Harry was the Man from Independence . Harry and Bess were childhood sweethearts. Bess was an equal partner in her husband’s political career - managing his Senate office, encouraging his rise in politics, and serving as his sounding board and closest adviser when he was President. She was (according to observers) a completely devoted wife and mother.
In reality, Bess was from Independence, but Harry grew up on a farm quite a distance from the town. They were NOT childhood sweethearts. Harry may have fallen in love with Bess the first time he saw her, but her family was several social cuts above his and he didn’t fit into her world. She was opposed to him running for the Senate, although she later came to enjoy life as a Senator’s wife.
She didn’t run his Senate office, but was put on the payroll there because her small salary was desperately needed to support the family. She was strongly opposed to his accepting FDR’s offer of the Vice-Presidency and fought tooth and nail against it. She feared FDR’s death and hated the idea of being a First Lady. And until her mother’s death, she was far more devoted to that lady than to either her husband or her daughter!
I found this book on sale and only hesitated about buying it because I wasn’t sure Margaret Truman could be even-handed about her mother’s life. I needn’t have worried. She loved both her parents, but by the time she wrote this book, she was 62 years old and the mother of four grown sons herself. She could see her parents clearly and honestly, with tolerance and humor. She appreciates their strengths, but never ignores their weaknesses.
A valuable source was letters she found in Bess Truman’s house after her death. Those letters had been mislaid and forgotten or the very private Mrs. Truman would have destroyed them. After he left the White House, Harry Truman was horrified to find his wife burning some of their letters. “Think of history!” he protested. “I AM!” she replied grimly. Fortunately, Bess and Harry Truman were prolific letter writers and many exchanges were saved, along with letters from her many friends. I think Margaret Truman was as surprised by what she learned in these letters as I was.
The best words to apply to Bess Truman are “oldest child.” Back in the days of large families, birth order was an important factor in determining personality. The oldest child in a large family is normally overly responsible and carries that burden into adulthood.
Bess Truman’s life was driven by one event - her father’s suicide when she was a young girl. Her mother had an iron will, carefully camouflaged by assumed helplessness and fake ill-health. Her husband had "escaped" and caused heartache and shame by doing so. In retaliation, she ruthlessly bound her children to her with umbilical cords of steel. As the oldest child and only daughter, Bess believed that her mother's happiness was her primary responsibility. That obsessive sense of responsibility deeply affected her marriage and her relationship with her daughter.
This is a fascinating, well-written book. If I’d realized it's over 400 pages long, I probably would have passed it up. Fortunately, I didn’t. I wasn’t even tempted to skim because every word held my attention.
It’s a valuable look, not just at Bess Truman, but at American social, economic, and political life in the 1900’s. There are incredible stories of Bess, Harry, their relatives and friends, and all the worthy and unworthy political allies and opponents they dealt with. I wouldn’t have missed this book for anything!
January 20, 2025
I've found it a good discipline to read biographies of American First Ladies alongside the ones of U.S. Presidents, since the latter genre (unfortunately, at least to this point in history) consists solely of men (and almost entirely white men at that). It's good to also take in some of the experiences of women.
This biography, written by the Truman's lone child, Margaret, brings a more family-oriented perspective. She draws mostly from letters and other correspondence between the first couple, along with correspondence from other significant people in their history. So it's good primary material that she's dealing with. She also draws a lot from her own experience, all of which makes for a distinctive flavor in contrast with the more conventional biographies. You hear about the house at 219 North Delaware Street (in Independence, Missouri) a lot more than you would in, say, the detailed biography of Harry S. Truman by McCullough. (See my previous review of that one.)
This book is presented as a biography of Mrs. Truman. (It should be noted that Margaret also wrote a separate biography of Harry Truman which she mentions a few times. I have not read it; it would be interesting to read for comparison.) But to a great degree this is a biographical take of the whole family experience, in politics and otherwise. I suppose that's just the nature of the topic when you have spouses that are as close as these two were.
It does give a good and unique glimpse into the personal side of Bess's experiences - particularly in going over (and sometimes returning to) the aftermath of her father's suicide when she 18. It also covers the details of Harry and Bess's drawn-out courtship, her preferred lifestyle as a U.S. Senator's wife, and her dread of inheriting her place in the "great white jail" (to use Harry Truman's words for the White House). One nice part of this is the author's commentary on her mother's facial expressions in the inserted pictures. It makes for some revealing details.
Of particular interest is her mother's involvement in conversations about national and international issues, the boundaries on what she could and couldn't do, her contrasting approach of being First Lady from that of Eleanor Roosevelt, her frustrations when she felt left out of conversations and/or cut off from her husband - and all this overlapping with Harry Truman's emotional attachment and his frustration when things became tense between them.
Some of the content of their post-presidency life was interesting as well - including their general dislike of the Carters, their favorable attitudes toward the Fords, and their contrasting experiences with the Nixons. Some of it seems petty in hindsight, though it was no doubt genuine at the time. Perhaps the reason it troubled me was because I was reading about it right at the time when Jimmy Carter passed.
Some of the episodes are not as well-detailed, particularly with the years after Harry passed away (from 1973 on.) But overall, it's a very good book to compliment to McCullough's popular biography. It definitely gives you a deeper sense of things because it's a well-done family record.
This biography, written by the Truman's lone child, Margaret, brings a more family-oriented perspective. She draws mostly from letters and other correspondence between the first couple, along with correspondence from other significant people in their history. So it's good primary material that she's dealing with. She also draws a lot from her own experience, all of which makes for a distinctive flavor in contrast with the more conventional biographies. You hear about the house at 219 North Delaware Street (in Independence, Missouri) a lot more than you would in, say, the detailed biography of Harry S. Truman by McCullough. (See my previous review of that one.)
This book is presented as a biography of Mrs. Truman. (It should be noted that Margaret also wrote a separate biography of Harry Truman which she mentions a few times. I have not read it; it would be interesting to read for comparison.) But to a great degree this is a biographical take of the whole family experience, in politics and otherwise. I suppose that's just the nature of the topic when you have spouses that are as close as these two were.
It does give a good and unique glimpse into the personal side of Bess's experiences - particularly in going over (and sometimes returning to) the aftermath of her father's suicide when she 18. It also covers the details of Harry and Bess's drawn-out courtship, her preferred lifestyle as a U.S. Senator's wife, and her dread of inheriting her place in the "great white jail" (to use Harry Truman's words for the White House). One nice part of this is the author's commentary on her mother's facial expressions in the inserted pictures. It makes for some revealing details.
Of particular interest is her mother's involvement in conversations about national and international issues, the boundaries on what she could and couldn't do, her contrasting approach of being First Lady from that of Eleanor Roosevelt, her frustrations when she felt left out of conversations and/or cut off from her husband - and all this overlapping with Harry Truman's emotional attachment and his frustration when things became tense between them.
Some of the content of their post-presidency life was interesting as well - including their general dislike of the Carters, their favorable attitudes toward the Fords, and their contrasting experiences with the Nixons. Some of it seems petty in hindsight, though it was no doubt genuine at the time. Perhaps the reason it troubled me was because I was reading about it right at the time when Jimmy Carter passed.
Some of the episodes are not as well-detailed, particularly with the years after Harry passed away (from 1973 on.) But overall, it's a very good book to compliment to McCullough's popular biography. It definitely gives you a deeper sense of things because it's a well-done family record.
February 14, 2021
I really enjoyed this story. . . maybe because I'm from Missouri, and Harry Truman was our home-grown president. I've toured the Truman home years ago, and could picture Harry and Bess walking around the area. The story is told by their daughter, so it is biased in favor of her parents. I always thought of Harry as an honest, no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is kind of man. The author mentions many situations of turmoil that the Trumans endured, and of course, in her eyes, her father was always justified in his words and actions. While reading, I kept in mind that others might have a very different viewpoint of events, but it was still interesting to see Trumans' side of the story.
It was very interesting to compare the events of Harry's presidency with current events, especially campaigns, loyalties, questionable votes, conspiracy theories, and working with people in other government positions. I was comforted to know that some things in politics have always been the same!
Of course, this book is about BESS, and it covers her well. Margaret Truman knew her mother and had a great insight into her motivations and behaviors. Bess seemed quiet to me, but she was a strong partner in the Truman marriage. She knew when she had to take a stand for herself or her family, and when to give an opinion and back off.
It was very interesting to compare the events of Harry's presidency with current events, especially campaigns, loyalties, questionable votes, conspiracy theories, and working with people in other government positions. I was comforted to know that some things in politics have always been the same!
Of course, this book is about BESS, and it covers her well. Margaret Truman knew her mother and had a great insight into her motivations and behaviors. Bess seemed quiet to me, but she was a strong partner in the Truman marriage. She knew when she had to take a stand for herself or her family, and when to give an opinion and back off.
February 9, 2018
Growing up, Truman was the first president I remember. There were so many things I didn't know about Bess and Harry Truman, and their daughter, Margaret. The book was very long, and I took my time reading it, but I was very interested in the things that happened in the Truman's lives. I didn't know how involved Bess was in keeping up with local, U. S., and world events. Bess was afraid of flying, but she would suffer it out on occasions that were important.
The government didn't provide Secret Service protection for former presidents, when Truman left office. After President Kennedy was assassinated, the congress passed a law to provide for protection for former presidents. Bess didn't like the idea at all, but later on decided to let the Secret Service do some things, but didn't allow them in her house.
Bess remained interested and active in politics up into her 90's. People were surprised at how well informed she was in her later years. People asked for her endorsement when they were running for office.
If you enjoy history, and politics, you may enjoy this book. It is well written by Margaret Truman Daniels.
The government didn't provide Secret Service protection for former presidents, when Truman left office. After President Kennedy was assassinated, the congress passed a law to provide for protection for former presidents. Bess didn't like the idea at all, but later on decided to let the Secret Service do some things, but didn't allow them in her house.
Bess remained interested and active in politics up into her 90's. People were surprised at how well informed she was in her later years. People asked for her endorsement when they were running for office.
If you enjoy history, and politics, you may enjoy this book. It is well written by Margaret Truman Daniels.
January 7, 2017
A good book and biography by Margaret Truman researched from her parents papers, documents and personal correspondence. It wasn't a period in America history that I was very familiar with. Much of the story occurred before I was born so my only recollections were from the school history books. Their personal story and interactions aren't recorded there. It was also a complex time in history in which 2 world wars were fought, there was much unrest in this country and a rather unruly congress. That seems to a recurrent phenomena in American history. The book explains the role that Bess played in Harry's life as a wife, mother and partner. Her feelings regarding the his role in public life and also the burdens on her by her own family. The book spans a long period of time throughout their lives and can be very complex at times. However, it was well researched and written by the daughter who knew them best.
August 13, 2024
An intimate portrait of the former first lady, especially intriguing being it was written by her daughter. It was very raw and unbiased in ways which makes it believeable and endearing for the reader. I have read many books about many Presidents and first ladies and this is tbe first one I have come across where I can honestly say, I did not walk away with any especially warm feelings about Bess Truman. The Presidency of her husband was an interesting one, and as someone who isn't naturally drawn to the inner workings of politics, I found that aspect of the book far more entertaining than anything first Lady Truman did. It was a hard read in the aspect I just wanted to finish it, just to say that I finished it.
June 6, 2021
This was a good story of Bess Truman’s life, written by Harry and Bess’ daughter, Margaret. Though her life is told mainly through the perspective of Harry (especially relating to his presidency), it was still interesting to learn about one of the first ladies of the US. Bess and Harry were from Independence, Missouri and I am from the Kansas City area, so it was also neat to see Margaret write about some local spots I have been to and heard about. The only reason I gave this book 4/5 stars is because there is too much of a focus on Harry when the book is supposed to be about Bess (Margaret wrote a separate book about Harry).
December 27, 2022
The book was a good insight to politics of the 1940-1960. However I didn’t feel there was as much about Bess Truman that wasn’t assumed. The correspondence between President and Mrs Truman would have been so much more interesting with both sides. It was so wonderful that there was such a love and respect between them.
February 10, 2018
Fascinating
Loved insights into the real people behind the events. Although too young to actively remember the Truman's book shows all famous people are just like each of us under the surface.
Loved insights into the real people behind the events. Although too young to actively remember the Truman's book shows all famous people are just like each of us under the surface.
November 13, 2017
So....FDR was a jerk, Ike and the Carters were rude, Congress was just as dysfunctional in the late forties as it is today, and Bess was pretty much a witch most of the time. Yikes! But also an interesting look at history and pretty readable.
May 2, 2018
Not very revealing or personal regarding Bess. A lot about what it means to be a first Lady, though. No thanks! Those women are the unsung heroes of our country. I learned a lot, but took real effort to be joyful about it.
November 24, 2018
Enjoy reading about Mr. Truman
Interesting read but at times, rambles like listening to a boring person at a party. I finished Truman by David M. 5-⭐️and wanted to further study this great man.
Interesting read but at times, rambles like listening to a boring person at a party. I finished Truman by David M. 5-⭐️and wanted to further study this great man.
January 3, 2019
This was a heavy, interesting read until the last 2 chapters. They covered the twenty some years between Harry and Bess's deaths. I felt a little let down but did enjoy the glimpses of history this book provided.
August 7, 2019
I've had my copy some 33-years. I still return to it. A daughter's memoir of the mother she never called-until these pages-Bess. Reading of the tragic event of her young womanhood, one appreciates Bess Truman's desire for privacy and shunning of the media spotlight. Her husband sure loved her!
August 16, 2019
A pleasure to read.
I thoroughly enjoyed the political and personal aspects of this book. Margaret captured the partnership and love of her parents in an engaging, insightful way.
I thoroughly enjoyed the political and personal aspects of this book. Margaret captured the partnership and love of her parents in an engaging, insightful way.
September 18, 2019
Although the book is titled Bess Truman, only about 25% is actually about her with 50% about Harry and the other 25% about Margaret Truman. The inclusion of the letters provided a good glimpse offshore relationship, the rest was too wordy in some areas and lacking in others.
August 12, 2021
What an incredible read this was! This book is very special to me mostly because it is a first-edition signed by the author, the very daughter of one of my favorite U.S. Presidents Harry S. Truman. It is great hearing these stories from an insider with Margaret. She really brings to life with emotion the things going on during his presidency and before-after as well. Very thorough coverage of her life from birth to death. Great scenes of love between a seldom found commitment to marriage we just don't see often anymore. If you love history, especially World War 2 history, this would be of great interest for you!
February 7, 2023
A biography written by her daughter, who was obviously a daddy’s girl. I loved it. It was definitely also part memoir and I love a memoir. Author used () and italics to talk to us readers directly and I loved her for it!
January 11, 2018
American history at its best.
I knew a lot about Harry S Truman, but not much about Bess. This book gave me much insight into her life.
I knew a lot about Harry S Truman, but not much about Bess. This book gave me much insight into her life.
August 12, 2018
Great bio
I enjoy bios. Learned a lot of history that wasn't aware of. I recommend this reading to others. Very informative and interesting.
I enjoy bios. Learned a lot of history that wasn't aware of. I recommend this reading to others. Very informative and interesting.
January 23, 2020
I enjoy history
I believe a daughter or son would have special insight into the persons thinking. The book did get a bit long.
I believe a daughter or son would have special insight into the persons thinking. The book did get a bit long.
July 11, 2022
A very good read about the First Lady Bess Truman by her daughter Margaret.
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