Give 'Em Hell: The Tumultuous Years of Harry Truman's Presidency, in His Own Words and Voice- with 25 of Truman's Most Influential Speeches in His Own Voice

by Terry Golway

The accidental presidency of Harry S. Truman, in words, photographs, and his ever-candid voice. He was a startling contrast to Franklin Roosevelt. A farmer's son from west Missouri, Truman didn't chat; he talked, without art or inflection. And yet, this man of big dreams and simple phrases led the country out of war, welcomed the United Nations, and ran a cross-country campaign that changed American politics. His plain speech, first seen as a liability, became a symbol of transparency and gave him a platform to challenge his rivals-both at home and abroad-to honor their promises and commit to firm action.

Give 'Em Hell brings the president and his era to life like no other biography. It combines the insights of noted historian Terry Golway with Truman's own voice in audio excerpts from his most significant presidential speeches.

Genres: Biography

258 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2011

About the author

Terry Golway is a journalist, historian and the author of more than a dozen books. His latest, "Terror From America," is his first novel. It takes place in New York and London as Irish Americans are using politics and violence to win freedom for Ireland. In the novel, Sherlock Holmes arrives in New York to break up the conspiracy.

Golway has worked for the New York Observer, the New York Times and Politico, and has written for many other publications, including America magazine and the Irish Echo. He is an adjunct professor of history and political science at the College of Staten Island, his alma mater. He also holds a Ph.D. in US History from Rutgers University.

Reviews

[Bill Manzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got the book as a gift, and it was a very pleasant summer read. I have not read McCullough, but this effort will likely lead me to take that book up. The book includes an audio cd, which contains some of the memorable Truman speeches, and the book builds the chapters and narrative around those speeches. The audio quality is pretty good, and the chapters deal with some of the monumental events in U.S. history. Starting with Truman's ascent to the Presidency after the death of Franklin Roosevelt, the chapters bring us announcements of the surrender of Germany and Japan, the bringing forth of the Marshall Plan for the rebuilding of a war shattered Europe, the Truman campaign for a full term in 1948, and the long odds he faced as he started that campaign, the Korean War, and the controversial firing of General Douglas MacArthur. Truman and his administration were faced with "winning the peace" and showing the necessary resolve against the "probing" of Josef Stalin, our erstwhile WWII ally. This book gives you a better than Readers Digest version of Harry Truman, and does not aspire to be a biography, but rather a snapshot of some fascinating and important events in U.S. history. Truman left with a pretty low approval rating, but correctly predicted that history would bring him the positive recognition he deserved.

Some pretty good speeches by the "plain speaking" President are included. Track 24 got my attention, where the President warns of the excesses of the anti-communist movement, speaking against sacrificing our constitutional protections in order to defeat communism. Clearly an anti Joe McCarthy speech, but the Senator was never mentioned. Truman's words ring true, and may have some real importance today.