Presidents

President Harry Truman identified himself repeatedly as a champion of civil liberties in the American system of government. (TLS 9)

President Harry S. Truman’s contribution to civil rights is generally viewed as substantial and important. These essays renew a continuing dialogue into the meaning of some of President Truman’s most important decisions.     (TLS 2)

It appears that Truman knew the politics of race was based more on finesse than force, and although he understood both, the best he could do is start the process. The editors include useful lists of Truman’s speeches and executive orders relating to civil rights, and the collection of original documents and period photographs is exceptional.

—Book News Inc.

A Democratic President facing a Republican Congress and a divided Democratic Party, Truman stands as a model for other presidents during periods of divided government.     (TLS 7)

Truman’s grandson provides commentary, photos, and context for the recently discovered letters Bess wrote to Harry Truman during the formative years of his political life.

This unique collection of images of Abraham Lincoln portrays one of America’s greatest figures from an artist’s point of view.

Decades before the environmental concerns of the 1960s and long before today’s quest for sustainability, Harry S. Truman’s presidency decisively changed the scope and pace of federal government interaction with the natural world.     (TLS 5)

On the sixtieth anniversary of the founding of the State of Israel an international group of scholars, policy makers, and members of the public gathered at the Harry S. Truman Research Institute for the Advancement of Peace on the Hebrew University Campus to examine the diplomatic and political context from which the State of Israel emerged.

Truman pioneered refugee admissions, was the first president to propose eliminating all racial/ethnic bars in immigration, and his commission on immigration set out reforms which became central to the epochal Immigration Act of 1965.     (TLS 6)

After 50 years of continuing conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians, the legacy of Truman’s struggle is reflected in the distinct voices of this collection’s contributors, including scholars, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel, Israel’s representative to the United Nations, and a former White House aide during Truman’s presidency.     (TLS 3)

One of the first government heads to recognize the existence of Israel, Harry Truman is a vital figure in the history of modern Israel.

—The Midwest Book Review

Harry S. Truman’s national security legacy, as documented here by Truman scholars and political leaders on the 50th anniversary of the end of his presidency, is marked by a series of noteworthy foreign policy initiatives.     (TLS 1)

Truman was credited with bring[ing] post-WWII order: both former aides to the President and seasoned national security experts blend memories with analysis in a coverage recommended for any college-level library strong in political science and American history.

—Midwest Book Review

Harry S. Truman oversaw the beginning of a dramatic shift in the relationship between the U.S. government and Native Americans.     (TLS 4)

Harry S. Truman made decisions as president that would have a decisive impact in determining the course of history in Northeast Asia after World War II.     (TLS 8)

This collection of 263 cartoons portrays the life and times of Harry S. Truman during his years in local and state offices, the U.S. Senate, and as the 33rd U.S. President.

While the clever cartoons confirm the notion that a picture can be worth a thousand words, the accompanying text is a surprise bonus. It presents a masterfully concise biography of Truman and a review of his impact upon the world.

—Springfield News-Leader