Truman Presidential Library

July 5, 2015

Day 89

We were up early and on our way to Kansas City this morning. After a couple quick stops we made it to Independence, Missouri at about 12:30. My Mom had encouraged us to go to Truman's Presidential Library and we are very happy we listened to her and took her advice. While we were at her house, I had started reading McCullough's biography of Truman and had just finished Follet's Winter of the World (book 2 of his Century Trilogy), so I was excited to see the Library. 

 They had a very well done 45 minute documentary on his life and presidency and then made our way through the excellent displays.

Oval office

President Truman's Oval Office

 Whether you agree with his policies or not, you cannot help but respect this man who came from very humble beginnings and had to make some of the toughest decisions I can imagine. 

His reaction to his new role as US President after the death of Franklin D Roosevelt

Harry and Bess Truman, our 33rd President

Typical American life after WWII for many but not all

Truman campaigned by rail all over the country when campaigning for his 2nd term.   It would be his first term to be elected.  The media predicted  that  Thomas Dewey would win but Truman felt differently and defeated him.

Roger Maris, Harry Truman, Mickey Mantle

 To quote David McCullough, when talking about writing his best seller, a Pulitzer prize winner in 1993, “For a 922-page serious biography to go right to the top of the best-seller list in the summertime-I won't say it's unprecedented, but it's certainly rare. I think that is in part because Truman still has a very high standing, great appeal among all of us. But I think, too, that in a political year he represents something that the country, more than in other years perhaps, wants to reach out for-an authenticity, a clarity, a lack of artifice in his personal and his presidential manner. Truman stood for something. He always stood for something. You might not have agreed with his position, but you knew where he stood.” Taken from Booknotes by David Lamb.   

Harry and Bess Truman's graves