Thomas F. (hardtack) - , reviewed on 11/7/2023 + 2756 more book reviews

I already knew about the "Truman" Committee of World War II and how it gave Harry Truman---the junior senator from Missouri---national recognition. However, I never really knew any of the details. This book rectifies that. It is an interesting and easy read.

Unlike many politicians today, Truman often gave the people or organizations he was investigating advance notice so they could correct their problems without undue publicity. At the same time he would come down hard with both feet on anyone who decided making money was more important than providing the government with good products. When you read about civilians, and even military officers, who were willing to ship out sub-standard products which often resulted in the death service men and women, you wonder why they weren't tried, convicted and then executed!

This committee lifted Truman from basically an unknown to an extremely respected politician. It resulted in Roosevelt selecting him as his vice-presidential candidate for the 1944 election. After 80 some days in office as a vice-president with little power, as almost all vice-presidents experience, Truman became the President of the United States. While not mentioned in this book, Truman's leadership in the Cold War served as a model of a president with guts. It was he who put a stop to communist expansion in Europe and other areas. I've always had a high opinion of him.

Back to all reviews by this member
Back to all reviews of this book
Back to Book Reviews
Back to Book Details