spinnerroweok's review
5.0
Several years ago, I visited the Truman Library in Independence, MO. I got to talking to a man staying at the same hotel about Harry Truman. He came to see the library also. He told me that Plain Speaking was the best book on Truman. He was not far from the truth. If you are new to the nation's 33rd president, I would recommend David McCullough's Truman. However, to get to the voice and personality of Truman, read, no, listen to this book.
Miller's book is like no other presidential biography I have ever read. Miller sat down with Truman to create a series of TV shows that never came to be. He took what he had recorded, transcribed it, mixed it with other interviews he had conducted, and came up with this amazingly insightful oral history. It felt as if I were sitting next to the former president as he would talk about his life, his presidency, and other presidents throughout history. With other books, I understood what and why Truman did what he did. With this book, I understand who Truman was. I highly recommend the Audible version of the book, read by Chris Ciulla. He does an incredible job capturing the tone and mannerisms of Truman's voice. It feels very real.
Now I'm waiting for the world to reopen, as well as the Truman Library to reopen as it is undergoing renovations. I'm sure as I make the 4 hour drive back to Independence, I will be listening to this audiobook again.
Miller's book is like no other presidential biography I have ever read. Miller sat down with Truman to create a series of TV shows that never came to be. He took what he had recorded, transcribed it, mixed it with other interviews he had conducted, and came up with this amazingly insightful oral history. It felt as if I were sitting next to the former president as he would talk about his life, his presidency, and other presidents throughout history. With other books, I understood what and why Truman did what he did. With this book, I understand who Truman was. I highly recommend the Audible version of the book, read by Chris Ciulla. He does an incredible job capturing the tone and mannerisms of Truman's voice. It feels very real.
Now I'm waiting for the world to reopen, as well as the Truman Library to reopen as it is undergoing renovations. I'm sure as I make the 4 hour drive back to Independence, I will be listening to this audiobook again.
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