“The values of Plain Speaking, on the whole, are those of the highest form of political communication: the bull session. Truman felt about the presidency, and his thoughts in his later years on his accomplishments and the legacy he left behind. Using a series of taped discussions from 1962 that never aired on television, Plain Speaking takes an opportunity to deliver exactly how Mr.

From these interviews, as well as others who knew him over the years, Miller transcribes Truman’s feisty takes on everything from his personal life, military service, and political career to the challenges he faced in taking the office during the final days of World War II and the beginning of the Cold War. Plain Speaking is the bestselling book based on conversations between Merle Miller and the thirty-third President of the United States, Harry S. Truman. 'synopsis' may belong to another edition of this title.“Never has a President of the United States, or any head of state for that matter, been so totally revealed, so completely documented” (Robert A. Arthur). This is an engaging and revealing look at one of America's better President's. Merle Miller (1919-1984) admitted that during the course of these interviews he went from Truman skeptic to fan. As a result, this highly engaging book is a bit thin and one-sided. The author/interviewer speaks with some of Truman's friends and relatives, but no critics, and he seldom challenges the President's responses as a good interviewer occasionally must. Truman lacked a college education, but we see how his prolific reading in history and literature proved invaluable. Brass Hat'), Dwight Eisenhower ('difficult'), Richard Nixon ('Shifty-eyed.Liar'), and sees President Kennedy as capable but too young. He also shows scorn for wealthy special interests, Douglas McArthur ('Mr. He praises associates Omar Bradley, Dean Acheson, Herbert Hoover, and especially George Marshall. Truman easily discusses tough issues like dropping the bomb on Japan, the Marshall Plan, and Korea. Truman provides straight answers to questions about his childhood, military service, and days as County Administrator, Senator (which Truman liked best), and President (1945-1953). Truman (1884-1972) had character, courage, and strong views, as is evident on each page. President Harry Truman was 77 and retired nine years. This candid biography was drawn from never-aired TV interviews filmed in early 1962 when former U.S.

Plain Speaking by Merle Miller