Harry S. Truman and the Four Months That Changed the World

A riveting tale of how a common citizen of modest heritage rose to the task of leading the United States, as well as the Allied Powers of the free world, to conclude President Roosevelt's years of effort to win the war.

Detailed yet never boring, not for a second. A very well written, informative good account on an "Accidental President" who went on to become one of the most celebrated US Presidents. A "common man hero" who stepped into the largest shoes conceivable when Europe and the World was at critical crossroads.

I bought it as a kindle daily deal, and this book turned out to be very good. It tells about first four months of Truman's first term after FDR's death when WWII was at its final stage. I like the author's style and really enjoyed the book.

Only addresses a small portion (4 months) of Truman's presidency, but makes a good case for that short period being one of the most pivotal in history. Good intermix of the politics Harry faced and the strain the presidency put on the rest of Harry's life.

Very well written biography on President Harry Truman. It was very interesting to read what he went through after becoming president so unexpectedly after FDR's death. If you are interested in our countrys history , WWII history or presidential history I highly recommend reading this.

This was a great book describing a man I knew nothing about. It was very descriptive in the telling of his simple beginnings and how he rose to the top as president at a time in history when decisive decisions had to be made.

Truman deserves our admiration for keeping our country safe during this time. His resolve and reassurance prevented mass hysteria. Well written and gives today’s problems an insightful perspective.

Important reading material for the young. Easy and interesting to read.for those young people who critize the use of the atomic bomb this book reveals the real history and the courage of the man who ordered its use

In April 1945 the United States and the world were shaken by the news of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's sudden death. Roosevelt had been President for 12 years and had guided the nation through the Great Depression and World War II. He seemed almost superhuman, a boundlessly self-confident man from a rich and privileged background who spoke in ringing tones of his vision for America and the world. Now he was gone, and in his place stood an unassuming man whose distinguishing characteristic was his ordinariness. The Accidental President is a fine account of Harry S Truman's first four months as President, a period which saw World War II come to an end followed almost immediately by the beginning of a forty year long Cold War. A.J. Baime has produced a meticulously researched account of the period from April to August 1945, telling the dramatic story of how an underestimated man took the weight of the world on his shoulders.

On the morning of April 12, 1945 Vice President Harry S Truman expected nothing more than another normal day of doing almost nothing. He had been Vice President for less than three months, following a surprising election year during which he had found himself volunteered to be Roosevelt's running mate. Born in rural Missouri and with little formal education, he had struggled and failed to find success in business, got involved in politics through the patronage of a notoriously corrupt political machine, and was elected and then reelected to the US Senate. Through it all he had earned a reputation as a plain spoken, rather colorless, but above board and honest operator. He spent his day at the US Capitol hobnobbing with his cronies and presiding over the Senate, then received an urgent message asking him to come to the White House.. There he was informed that Roosevelt was dead and that he was now President.

Few could have handled the situation better than Truman. He took the oath, summoned the Cabinet, and began a series of meetings, in one of which he was informed for the first time of the Manhattan Project to build an atomic weapon. Over the next days and weeks he dealt with the complexities of guiding the US through the final days of the war in Europe, began to make plans for the post-war economy, made contact with other world leaders (some for the first time), discussed plans for the ongoing war with Japan, and above all had the first of a series of exchanges with Stalin, Molotov, and other Soviet officials which revealed sharp ideological differences. He oversaw the establishment of the United Nations, led negotiations at Potsdam with Churchill, Attlee, and Stalin, and approved the use of the atom bomb on Japan. During those weeks and months he gained a reputation for decisiveness and strong mindedness, causing many who had watched his accession to the Presidency with dread to breathe sighs of relief and gain new confidence. Those four months set the tone for Truman's Presidency, a remarkable period filled with great achievements as well as some severe setbacks during which much of the foundations of our world today were set.

The Accidental President is a well written and engaging book filled with gripping, almost minute by minute accounts of events like Roosevelt's death, Truman's accession, the final hours of World War II, and the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Truman and his family are revealed as the down to earth people they were: perpetually short of money, retiring (as First Lady Bess Truman preferred to spend months at a time living in Independence, Missouri rather than in the White House goldfish bowl), but strong willed and determined to do their best. Perhaps the most important sections of Baime's account are those dealing with Truman's encounters with Molotov and Stalin. Among the unanswered questions of twentieth century history are those which ask whether the Cold War was inevitable, or if Roosevelt could have done a better job than his successor in easing tensions with the Soviets, thus avoiding the creation of the Iron Curtain. Like most historians Baime has no easy answers to those and other questions, but his reporting and analysis of what went on during the fateful summer of 1945 are thought provoking and insightful.

In 2017 it is difficult to imagine a United States in which the population is solidly behind its Chief Executive or a world in which that Chief Executive inspires confidence and admiration,. The Accidental President is a timely reminder of the critical months in 1945 when the unlikeliest of Presidents took the reins and showed his quality.

I am an avid reader with a Library of well over 500 books on the US Presidency. I am barely into the book and I know I should enjoy it. However the font style used makes the book almost unreadable. The font is a light gray, the typeset selected results in all the 0 as o and many of the numbers in superscript or subscript.

I am a huge fan of skilled authors who write about history; and I'm annoyed when historians' writings are muddled and tedious. This book is my first experience with A.J. Baime, and now I want to read everything else he has written, because he is one of those few writers of history who has the talent to make the past come alive in clear, compelling, well-organized prose, that just leaves you wanting more..

I happen to be very interested in WWII, and this book provided many details new to me about the last months of that conflict, the enormous burdens carried by Harry S. Truman who had taken a most unorthodox path to the Presidency, and the extraordinary characteristics he possessed to help him navigate those months. He faced many challenges during the months April-August of 1945, the most profound of which was becoming educated about the atomic bomb because the Buck stopped with him when a decision had to be made whether or not to deploy it on a citizen population. Amazingly, he made that decision while at Potsdam trying to negotiate with Stalin and Churchill (& then Atlee) about how the post war world would be governed. Truman was at sea en route back to the U.S. from Germany when Hiroshima was bombed.

Even if you are not widely read in WWII history, or interested in the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, you will appreciate this book because it reads as easily as a good novel. Nothing better than getting a dose of U.S. history while reading a riveting page turner. I read this book in the course of a 24 hour day (with sleep, etc. too!); I couldn't put it down, and neglected other activities until the last page. The author has covered the first months of Truman's presidency in an original fascinating way.

So a most enthusiastic Five Stars. Highly recommended for anyone who loves a good read.

The non-fiction account of President Harry Truman's first four months in office as American president is quite an American interesting and enlightening read overall. He was a Midwesterner from Missouri with his wife, Elizabeth known as Bess and their college aged daughter, Margaret. Truman knew that he would become president of the United States during President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's third term.

Harry Truman accepted being Vice President after being a Senator for Missouri. Truman has to finish Roosevelt's third term as Commander-in-Chief. He and his family were reluctant but they fulfilled their duties. Bess was probably the most reluctant First Lady in history.

The book explores his first four months where he changed history. An unlikely hero who became one of America's most memorable president especially during 1945 with the end of World War Two and the birth of the atomic bomb.

If you enjoy reading about presidential history, this book is a good read for political enthusiasts. The author has written Harry, Bess and Margaret Truman as real people in an extraordinary situation. Bess Truman wasn't interested in being First Lady and shunned the press around the position. Former First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt was truly a remarkable woman in relaying the news of her husband's death to Harry. Harry was sworn into presidency with his wife and childhood sweetheart, Bess, and their young daughter, Margaret.

The Trumans came from Independence, Missouri. Harry barely finished high school but worked hard on the farm and fought in World War I. He slowly entered politics and appeared unlikely to become United States Senator, Vice President and eventually President. The country had survived the Great Depression and World War II. Harry Truman had the difficult decision to drop the atomic bomb or send American troops into Japan. Nobody realized the power of the atomic bomb until it actually happened.

Harry Truman's selection as Franklin Roosevelt's running mate in 1944 was a big surprise to everyone, including Truman himself. Roosevelt was in poor health and was not expected to live out his term and the nation was still fighting a two front war. Truman, a former haberdasher and failed businessman from Missouri, did not inspire confidence as a replacement for the iconic FDR at such a precarious time in history. When Roosevelt died in April of 1945, Truman told reporters that it "felt like the moon, the stars, and all the planets had fallen on me."

Longtime Wall Street Journal contributor A. J. Baime tells the story of Harry Truman's remarkable transition from county politician to leader of the free world in The Accidental President: Harry S. Truman and the Four Months that Changed the World. This is a remarkably well-researched account of the beginning of the Truman Presidency and the end of the Second World War, a war that was ended by the most controversial wartime decision likely made by any president: the decision to use the atomic bomb against Japan in August of 1945.

Baime begins with an accounting of the day that Vice-President Truman became President Truman, before embarking on Truman's life story, told in the perfect amount of detail, enough to know how Harry Truman became the man that would come to confront the world's greatest problems. The author introduces the 33rd President to the reader in his many dimensions: Truman the family man, Truman the Jacksonian Democrat, Truman the poker-playing good old boy. Baime's accounting of Truman's first four months as President puts the reader right in the Oval office and paints a picture of a Harry Truman as a man who makes decisions quickly, without wavering. He also provides a fascinating account of the relationship between Truman and Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin, and has the reader shadow Truman at the historic Potsdam Conference.

This book is not only about Truman. It also ably tells the story of the development and the deployment of the atomic bombs that fell on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Baime has the wonderful ability to make the reader that he or she is witnessing these events as they occur from close vantage. His accounting of the actions and emotions of the crew of the Enola Gay (the plan from which the first atomic bomb fell) is fascinating. His extensive use of Truman's diaries, as well as the personal first-hand accounts of many of the participants who were present at these events enhances the reader's feeling of watching these events at the time of their occurrence. Baime also has that wonderful author's gift of being able to tell the reader something he or she did not know before. For example, we learn of Joseph Stalin's revelation to Truman of the Russian leader's belief that Adolf Hitler was alive and living in South America, or of how Truman dressed down a sleazy army officer who offered to act as a pimp for the President at Potsdam.

At times, Baime seems too enamored with Truman to consider that his subject may have had faults. Truman was schooled in the bare-knuckled political academy of the corrupt Pendergast machine and while the author acknowledges the shady dealings of this organization, he is convinced of Truman's absolute honesty. Truman made a lot of snap decisions, and while he was decisive, the author never questions whether Truman was too hasty at times in some of these snap judgements. But it is hard to question the author's objectivity, given the depth of his research and the completeness of his description of the circumstances surrounding the challenges Truman faced. The author provides an especially well-considered post mortem of Truman's decision to unleash the first nuclear weapons, providing his own defense of why he believes Truman was correct in doing so.

Baime serves up excellent history in telling a remarkable story of unique circumstances that placed the under-estimated ordinary guy from Independence in the position of having to shape the world that we live in today. He does so in a manner that is thorough and complete, informative and insightful, and which makes the reader feel present and close at some of the most interesting events in recent history.

For someone old enough to have a memory of Truman, he loomed as somewhat of an enigma. Seeming stern, with little sense of humor or warmth, together with his wife lacking sophistication or charm - he also played the piano and his favorite song was the Missouri Waltz. I was too politically naive and uninformed to understand what Truman instantaneously inherited when he was thrust into the presidency upon Roosevelt’s death. And, I never understood what he had to cope with in his first four months. This meticulously researched book, opened my eyes. Aside from painting a picture of the man, his background and his limited political life, you will learn, in detail, of his many strengths.

Particularly of interest to me was the account of the over 20 day Potsdam Conference, which began with Truman, Churchill and Stalin trying to decide how Germany would be apportioned after WWII ended. Both Britain and the US looked at the subject from the standpoint of rebuilding and leaving, while Stalin seemed to feel that he should be awarded something more permanent. If not in Germany, then recognition of the USSR’s communistic satellite countries would suffice. Their agendas could not have been more different, and there was little they could agree upon. In the middle of their meeting, Churchill had to leave for an election, which he lost - so he was replaced by Attlee, which didn’t help matters. At the same time, the US, Britain and China were still at war with Japan - a war which, seemingly, would go on forever. One of the items on the menu for the conference was enlisting Russia's help to end the conflict in the Pacific - but when news came to Truman from Alamogordo, NM, that the first atomic bomb was nearing readiness, he hoped that he would not need Russia’s help and interference!

All during the conference, communiques to Japan produced only the determination of Japan to fight to the finish. Unconditional surrender was not an option. Testing of the bomb was successful. Warnings were sent to Japan. Leaflets were dropped to the populations of the several cities under consideration, telling them to find safe ground elsewhere. Cities chosen were military strongholds. Japan continued to maintain its determination to fight on. Truman and his military advisors gave the order to drop the bomb.

The reader feels some satisfaction and relief knowing that Japan was given more than ample notice to avoid the bomb, but stubbornly refused to take the reports of the horrendous consequences seriously. There is much to be learned in this account of the role Truman, the haberdasher from Missouri, played during a very dangerous time in history. It reads like a novel, and is as gripping as historical fiction. Highly recommended for history buffs.

"Never had fate shoehorned so much history into such a short period." The Accidental President, A. J. Baime

His first response was "No." Truman did not want the position of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's new Vice President.

But FDR commanded it, and Harry S. Truman had to agree.

FDR was not a well man when he took office for a fourth term. And when he died on April 12, 1945, Truman said, "the whole weight of the moon and stars fell on me."

"Who the hell is Harry Truman?"

The Accidental President by A. J. Baime focuses on Truman's first four months in the presidency, portraying Truman as an unknown 'Everyman' kept out of FDR's loop, but who quickly gained the nation's trust and approval while tackling huge challenges. He came into the job with only a layman's knowledge of international politics but scrambled to catch up. Monumental decisions awaited.

Baime offers a condensed biography and profile of Truman and a detailed recreation of his first four months in the presidency. It is daunting to consider what this failed businessman with a high school degree had to contend with! His straight talking, systematic thinking, and unpretentious style was refreshing and his staff was surprised, and appreciative, of his competence.

When Truman took office, the U.S. Army was fifty-seven miles from Berlin. General Dwight Eisenhower had discovered the horrors of Nazi death camps. General LeMay was ruthlessly firebombing Japan, while Japan was sending out mass suicide missions of Kamikaze pilots. Iwo Jima was captured but a third of the American landing force had died.

The Soviets had suffered huge losses battling the Nazis. They wanted payback. Liberating Poland and Austria, they installed puppet regimes. Prime Minister Winston Churchill wrote, "An iron curtain is drawn down upon their front."

What to do with Germany had to be decided. Already the Soviets were plundering, hauling away everything they could. If the Soviets joined in war against Japan, they would want a part of Japan, too. Truman could not allow a Soviet presence in Japan.

All of Central Europe's infrastructure had collapsed. Seven million persons were displaced without food or coal for heating. Children suffered from malnutrition.

Yugoslavia wanted a piece of Italy. Chaing Kai-shek and Mao Tse-tung had divided China.

The United Nations was yet to be organized, it's future unknown.

Would the U.S. recognize the new state of Israel?

The American wartime economy was thriving, but what would happen when the war contracts ended and servicemen returned home?

Churchill, who would soon lose his position as Prime Minister, Truman, and Stalin gathered at Potsdam. Truman need all his poker skills when facing off with Stalin. In his pocket was the upcoming test of the most terrible weapon ever known. If used against Japan, would it mean the end of civilization?

Reading about this tumultuous time was exciting and disconcerting. The whole world I grew up in was determined during these first months of 1945.

In his notes, Bamie states that history is a kind of myth that morphs through time as new evidence is unearthed and interpretations arise. The author spent three years sifting through original sources, diaries, and documents, ferreting out "new accession" including oral histories.

I enjoyed this highly readable and informative study.

I received a free ebook from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for a fair an unbiased review.

Many biographies have been written about Harry Truman. THE ACCIDENTAL PRESIDENT by A. J. Baime does contain biographical material, but it is used mainly to introduce the reader to citizen Truman, prior to his entry into politics. This unassuming midwestern former farmer, soldier and failed business owner was thrust onto the world stage at a time of great political crisis and world upheaval.

When Vice President Truman was summoned to the White House on April 12, 1945 to be informed by Eleanor Roosevelt that her husband, the president, had died, his worst nightmare immediately became a reality. He had only been vice president for three months, during which time FDR had kept him totally out of the loop. Thus Truman felt (and was) totally unprepared for the burden thrust upon him. His wife, Bess, had vehemently opposed his entry into politics, and now here he was center stage with World War ll still raging.

Americans knew and loved FDR, having been president for what seemed like forever. He was bold and charismatic, and projected confidence. Truman, on the other hand, was unknown, and unassuming in both appearance and personality. Unlike his predecessor, he didn’t have money, education or pedigree. He took the oath of office using a Gideon Bible.

Truman was a man known for being honest, decisive and hardworking. Those qualities had helped him become vice president, over his initial objections, and would serve him well as chief executive.

The Germans had just surrendered. The battle for Okinawa saw huge losses on both sides. The war in the Pacific was raging on. Unbeknownst to Truman, a top-secret project that might/could/would alter the course of history was nearing completion. This secret, the development of an atomic bomb, would cause him much anguish. The decision of whether or not to deploy it against Japan in an all-out effort to force their surrender and thus end the war was, ultimately, Truman's alone.

During this chaotic period of time, the United Nations was born, and it was hardly an easy birth. Russia posed many challenges for the United States and England. Philosophically they had very different goals than the other Allies, and this would create new problems down the road, including a "cold war."

Much of THE ACCIDENTAL PRESIDENT deals with the Allies' leaders --- Stalin, Churchill and Truman --- and their often-frustrating efforts among themselves to achieve an end to the war. Truman was a seemingly ordinary man who led our country to eventual peace during extraordinary times. His baptism-by-fire ascendancy to the presidency is well recorded here. History buffs and admirers of Truman will find this a most interesting and well-researched book.

Reviewed by Carole Turner

I received a free PDF copy of The Accidental President by A. J. Baime courtesy of Net Galley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, the publisher. It was with the understanding that I would post a review to Net Galley, Goodreads, the store, Barnes and Noble and my nonfiction book review blog. I also posted it to my Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and Google Plus pages.

I requested this book as I have read a number of biographies about the Presidents of the United States including Harry Truman.  This is the first book by A. J. Baime that I have read.

This was an interesting read from the perspective that it focused on the first four months that Truman served as President following the death of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. It does provide some background on Truman that helps in providing some depth to the man if you have not read any of the other numerous biographies on him. I would also suggest that the publisher have an editor who has an understanding of history work with the author, who is not a historian, as there were some glaring historical mistakes.

The book itself is a quick read and does provide some insight into Truman's first four months in office, but with not as much detail as I would have liked. In addition, the author appears to be a huge fan of Truman which causes him to gloss over any rough spots in his character.

I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a quick read on a specific part of Truman's presdidency.

The Accidental President is a well researched and well written account of Harry S. Truman's first four months as president of the United States. He assumed his position after the tragic death of Franklin Roosevelt at a critical time in history as World War II was ending, a rather unknown figure stepping in to some very big shoes. Baime provides a detailed account of this time period that allowed me to feel as though I were right there in 1945. Truman went from a virtual unknown to world leader overnight, and his honest, straightforward manner and the way in which people stood beside him during this time is only more amazing as we look at our world today. This book provides an interesting account of Truman's dealings with the Russians and the start of the Cold War, his wife's aversion to the public eye, and the Truman's own humble beginnings.

History lovers will enjoy this book, but so will readers who like a good story. This non-fiction account of Truman is anything but dull or boring.

A.J. Baime's Truman-centric account of the first four months (Apr - Jul 1945) of Harry S Truman's presidency is one of those most engaging, readable, and interesting non-fiction books I have read. After a brief introduction, the author jumps right into what is likely the most active four months--certainly first four--of American presidential history. Baime writes so well--not just with respect to language, but also organization and flow--that the reader might almost feel transported to the time and place this book covers. It's riveting and interesting stuff from start to finish. Even those very familiar with the historical events of 1945 will find "The Accidental President" and an engaging and interesting read.

Those unfamiliar with the remarkable events of this incredible four month period in history, will likely be mesmerized and entertained by Baime's accounting. This book if chock full of historical examples of leadership, decision making, and negotiating. Truman is painted as a decisive, honest, and remarkable leader thrust into the presidency during a remarkable time. Other significant and prominent characters are also well featured to include Churchill and Stalin, as well as Lemay, Stimson, and Eisenhower (and many other peripheral players). There is so much history here and not of it well known, but all of it interesting. "The Accidental President" is a wonderful read and very highly recommended.

I have no issue with how this book was written in so much as it seems to be three day old left overs. Certainly nothing new, nothing you might find via a deeper dive but just old stuff told one more time. It's certainly a fascinating time that's not the issue I have but it's that the story is being told to us one more time. It might have been more interesting if more time was spent on the decision and debate to drop the bomb. While that does get some coverage in the book it is of very short thrift and does not come close to discussing what went in to that call. Anyway this is to light on meaning for my tastes.

It's OK if you don't know the period but is otherwise very weak.

As a conservative I have always admired Harry S Truman. The author does a fantastic job of helping the reader understand the state of politics in the US during and leading up to the war. Equally important, he shares a glimpse of Truman’s personslity that few are knowledgeable of. I found this book riveting and well written. The author includes many factoids about Truman’s leadership style, personal habits and how Americans felt about the man in the first four months of his term. I did find two little editing errors that only make the author human; churchill was also a soldier in the Boor war and the Washington baseball team were the Senators, not the Nationals. Otherwise this is one of the best reads I’ve ever experienced. My one major takeaway; after Germany was defeated, Stalin offered to help in the invasion of Japan. It was his desire to add China, Korea and Japan to his stable of conquered nations. The only way Truman could head off the Russian invasion was to strike first with the atomic bomb. Had we not had the ability to deploy the bomb, Japan would have been under the control of Moscow for 40 years.

The author early on lays out the premise that Truman's first 4 months as president were the most challenging of any administration. The book chronicles the presidency from April 12, 1945 when Roosevelt died to August of that year and the end of World War 2.

The 2nd half of the book for me is the best, and Baime does a masterful job of highlighting all the obstacles Truman faced.. Hitler, Stalin, Nazi Germany, Japan, and more. The book's title is taken from Truman's quote himself when by his own admission he became president by accident.

This isn't an exhaustive biography of Truman. For that you'd want to read David Mcullough's masterpiece. But it gives a great idea how much Truman had to face in his first 4 months, more than anyone should have to work through.

This is a great story focusing primarily on the four months between his rise to the presidency and the end of the war. His earlier life is covered, though, with particular attention to his brief tenure as vice president. He knew when he met with the obviously ailing FDR that he would not remain the vice president for long.
Truman’s style is contrasted with FDR’s. He came into the presidency totally unprepared, but I suspect he did a better job than Roosevelt would have. Roosevelt was too willing to acquiesce to Stalin, whereas Truman stood firm.
One huge difference between Truman and his predecessor was how they dealt with their cabinets. Roosevelt enjoyed causing discord among the cabinet members and watching them bicker. How can you efficiently run a government that way? Truman surrounded himself with a team that would work together. He didn’t ramble on at meetings as FDR had, but got to the point and moved on, to the astonishment of the cabinet members.
Truman didn’t have the formal education expected of a president, but he was widely read, and his very ordinariness is what made him great.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a marvelously engrossing biography & history of Truman's first four month's as President. I liked that the author kept the chapters relatively short. I think this helped to keep me engaged with all the details and kept my interest high. In the author's "Notes," he writes that he used "primary sources and direct perspectives from many participants" that were not available to previous historians and biographers. I think this is why the author presents a fresh and invigorating account of the beginning of the Cold War's nuclear arms race and of the challenges confronted by & the decisions made by Truman during his first four months of his administration. It seems to me that the author successfully supports his contention that Truman "was a far greater agency of change during these four months than other writers have suggested."

The story of Harry Truman is well-known as senator with 10 years of experience who became president after being vice president for only a few months having not been close the president who selected him or really being involved in the issues he would take on as president as the war was reaching its conclusion (e.g., how to use the atomic bomb, a weapon he did not know about as VP). You get a good sense of who Truman was in the early part of the book with a quick account of his first 60 years before quickly moving to his assumption of the presidency. The book is focused Truman for the first few months of his administration during these momentous times, and really gives a good sense of history as Truman took the job and made it his, being famously decisive ("the buck stops here").

This is a book that reads very well - It tells a great story of a president (who now seems to be ranked quite highly) who basically was dropped into a position that required him to lead in most one of the most important periods of history.

Very good reading, even if you know most of the story -- Highly recommended!

I ordered this book because I've read a lot of things about President Truman in the last few years that have changed my opinion of him. This book reinforces those changes in my perception. It tells the story of a man who might have been out of his depth, but rose to the occasion. I learned about how hard the decision to drop the Atom Bomb was and it made me respect him more. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in history, or in our 33rd President.

Part biography / part insider's look, Baime does an exceptional job of intimately detailing Harry Truman's trial-by-fire presidency and his day-to-day life as he confronted the challenges of a nation embroiled in war and the administrative choices he would have to make in order to de-escalate tension on a global scale.

The transformation of Harry Truman can be followed throughout each page which all combine to chronologically detail his journey from a Vice President with no confidence to the most powerful and decisive man in the world. Both his personality and mannerisms can be seen going through a transformation from the first page to the last, which ultimately  gives this book a personal touch of wonderful authenticity.

I highly recommend this book for all history buffs, as well as those interested in learning about one of the hardest presidencies in history.

If you enjoy history, this is a must read. I always thought that Truman was a great POTUS. This book tells of his no nonsense, can do attitude. Book has the facts and no personal opinion of the author. My father always said he was alive because Truman dropped the bomb and the Emperor surrendered. He was scheduled to be on the invasion in Nov of 1945. He was on Okinawa and said they would never surrender the main island.

Harry S Truman has been one of the most forgotten presidents of the 20th Century. Standing in the shadow of FDR, it's easy to see why. But my cynicism of FDR is well founded, especially when in his 4th term the events of his hapless arrogance threw this nobody from Independence, MO. into what under his leadership became the most powerful position in the wold.
To think that it was Truman who led America into the position as the greatest superpower the world has ever seen should be something to consider.
Many say that FDR got us through the war; but I think it was the media that did, whose agenda FDR carefully adhered to.
It was Truman as a senator who really prepared America for entry into a war where their participation dealt the final blow to the Axis powers.
The investigations that Truman launched revealed staggering corruption and theft. We begin to see that FDR was not a man who could make tough unpopular choices but rather followed his political nose.
The trouble with the Soviets was Truman's first confrontation over a lackadaisical former presidency that let Stalin trample agreements which would cost millions blood and treasure. Truman's confrontation with Molotov was classic (no spoilers) and my already growing admiration for Truman went sky high.
The later decisions that Truman had to make based on just a few weeks of briefings reveal a man able to assimilate complex international situations and distill their most important elements while rapidly making critical decisions.
I was amazed at how sound his judgement was.
And the press loved him (mostly). His straight shooting, no nonsense, everyman way was a welcome breath of fresh air. His ability to answer questions immediately and clearly outstripped anything FDR was capable of, and everyone knew it.
The bulk of the book is spent covering the deteriorating relationship between the US and USSR. It is totally obvious to us today that Stalin's spies had infiltrated the US in areas we're still finding out about, but most important was our top secret military research. The race for the atomic bomb became more important than winning the war against Japan since it was obvious that the USSR was nearing the end of their A-bomb development. We also were completely aware that a thug like Stalin would not hesitate to use it without discretion.
That was where a Truman presidency, accidental or not, was what kept the US on the right side of history.
Truman's home life is lightly covered since Bess was very shy of any attention. One gains an immediate sympathy for a woman whose modesty was assaulted by an ever growing public curiosity.
Neither Harry or Bess ever expected this, but thank god he was there.

Have for years referred to Harry S. Truman that way--I truly have. He handled so very many an important crisis and changed so much. It (his unique world importance) would go on well, well past Hiroshima (which Stanford University proved was largely necessary as Japan was nowhere near ready to surrender (see my review on the radical and full of misinformation book "A People's History of the United States" by Howard Zinn).

Get this book by Baime today!

This is one of those history books that is remarkably well-written, well-told, and makes you truly appreciate the facts presented. Any history buff of our American wars or our presidents will appreciate this blending of event facts and personal history and nature to present a notable, yet probably underappreciated, aspect of our history. The book is brimming with detail, both important and artistic, and so many facets are explored. Really a book to keep you turning the pages.

The author early on lays out the premise that Truman's first 4 months as president were the most challenging of any administration. The book chronicles the presidency from April 12, 1945 when Roosevelt died to August of that year and the end of World War 2.

The 2nd half of the book for me is the best, and Baime does a masterful job of highlighting all the obstacles Truman faced.. Hitler, Stalin, Nazi Germany, Japan, and more. The book's title is taken from Truman's quote himself when by his own admission he became president by accident.

This isn't an exhaustive biography of Truman. For that you'd want to read David Mcullough's masterpiece. But it gives a great idea how much Truman had to face in his first 4 months, more than anyone should have to work through.

This is a great story focusing primarily on the four months between his rise to the presidency and the end of the war. His earlier life is covered, though, with particular attention to his brief tenure as vice president. He knew when he met with the obviously ailing FDR that he would not remain the vice president for long.
Truman’s style is contrasted with FDR’s. He came into the presidency totally unprepared, but I suspect he did a better job than Roosevelt would have. Roosevelt was too willing to acquiesce to Stalin, whereas Truman stood firm.
One huge difference between Truman and his predecessor was how they dealt with their cabinets. Roosevelt enjoyed causing discord among the cabinet members and watching them bicker. How can you efficiently run a government that way? Truman surrounded himself with a team that would work together. He didn’t ramble on at meetings as FDR had, but got to the point and moved on, to the astonishment of the cabinet members.
Truman didn’t have the formal education expected of a president, but he was widely read, and his very ordinariness is what made him great.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It is a marvelously engrossing biography & history of Truman's first four month's as President. I liked that the author kept the chapters relatively short. I think this helped to keep me engaged with all the details and kept my interest high. In the author's "Notes," he writes that he used "primary sources and direct perspectives from many participants" that were not available to previous historians and biographers. I think this is why the author presents a fresh and invigorating account of the beginning of the Cold War's nuclear arms race and of the challenges confronted by & the decisions made by Truman during his first four months of his administration. It seems to me that the author successfully supports his contention that Truman "was a far greater agency of change during these four months than other writers have suggested."

The story of Harry Truman is well-known as senator with 10 years of experience who became president after being vice president for only a few months having not been close the president who selected him or really being involved in the issues he would take on as president as the war was reaching its conclusion (e.g., how to use the atomic bomb, a weapon he did not know about as VP). You get a good sense of who Truman was in the early part of the book with a quick account of his first 60 years before quickly moving to his assumption of the presidency. The book is focused Truman for the first few months of his administration during these momentous times, and really gives a good sense of history as Truman took the job and made it his, being famously decisive ("the buck stops here").

This is a book that reads very well - It tells a great story of a president (who now seems to be ranked quite highly) who basically was dropped into a position that required him to lead in most one of the most important periods of history.

Very good reading, even if you know most of the story -- Highly recommended!

I ordered this book because I've read a lot of things about President Truman in the last few years that have changed my opinion of him. This book reinforces those changes in my perception. It tells the story of a man who might have been out of his depth, but rose to the occasion. I learned about how hard the decision to drop the Atom Bomb was and it made me respect him more. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in history, or in our 33rd President.

Part biography / part insider's look, Baime does an exceptional job of intimately detailing Harry Truman's trial-by-fire presidency and his day-to-day life as he confronted the challenges of a nation embroiled in war and the administrative choices he would have to make in order to de-escalate tension on a global scale.

The transformation of Harry Truman can be followed throughout each page which all combine to chronologically detail his journey from a Vice President with no confidence to the most powerful and decisive man in the world. Both his personality and mannerisms can be seen going through a transformation from the first page to the last, which ultimately  gives this book a personal touch of wonderful authenticity.

I highly recommend this book for all history buffs, as well as those interested in learning about one of the hardest presidencies in history.

If you enjoy history, this is a must read. I always thought that Truman was a great POTUS. This book tells of his no nonsense, can do attitude. Book has the facts and no personal opinion of the author. My father always said he was alive because Truman dropped the bomb and the Emperor surrendered. He was scheduled to be on the invasion in Nov of 1945. He was on Okinawa and said they would never surrender the main island.

Harry S Truman has been one of the most forgotten presidents of the 20th Century. Standing in the shadow of FDR, it's easy to see why. But my cynicism of FDR is well founded, especially when in his 4th term the events of his hapless arrogance threw this nobody from Independence, MO. into what under his leadership became the most powerful position in the wold.
To think that it was Truman who led America into the position as the greatest superpower the world has ever seen should be something to consider.
Many say that FDR got us through the war; but I think it was the media that did, whose agenda FDR carefully adhered to.
It was Truman as a senator who really prepared America for entry into a war where their participation dealt the final blow to the Axis powers.
The investigations that Truman launched revealed staggering corruption and theft. We begin to see that FDR was not a man who could make tough unpopular choices but rather followed his political nose.
The trouble with the Soviets was Truman's first confrontation over a lackadaisical former presidency that let Stalin trample agreements which would cost millions blood and treasure. Truman's confrontation with Molotov was classic (no spoilers) and my already growing admiration for Truman went sky high.
The later decisions that Truman had to make based on just a few weeks of briefings reveal a man able to assimilate complex international situations and distill their most important elements while rapidly making critical decisions.
I was amazed at how sound his judgement was.
And the press loved him (mostly). His straight shooting, no nonsense, everyman way was a welcome breath of fresh air. His ability to answer questions immediately and clearly outstripped anything FDR was capable of, and everyone knew it.
The bulk of the book is spent covering the deteriorating relationship between the US and USSR. It is totally obvious to us today that Stalin's spies had infiltrated the US in areas we're still finding out about, but most important was our top secret military research. The race for the atomic bomb became more important than winning the war against Japan since it was obvious that the USSR was nearing the end of their A-bomb development. We also were completely aware that a thug like Stalin would not hesitate to use it without discretion.
That was where a Truman presidency, accidental or not, was what kept the US on the right side of history.
Truman's home life is lightly covered since Bess was very shy of any attention. One gains an immediate sympathy for a woman whose modesty was assaulted by an ever growing public curiosity.
Neither Harry or Bess ever expected this, but thank god he was there.

Have for years referred to Harry S. Truman that way--I truly have. He handled so very many an important crisis and changed so much. It (his unique world importance) would go on well, well past Hiroshima (which Stanford University proved was largely necessary as Japan was nowhere near ready to surrender (see my review on the radical and full of misinformation book "A People's History of the United States" by Howard Zinn).

Get this book by Baime today!

This is one of those history books that is remarkably well-written, well-told, and makes you truly appreciate the facts presented. Any history buff of our American wars or our presidents will appreciate this blending of event facts and personal history and nature to present a notable, yet probably underappreciated, aspect of our history. The book is brimming with detail, both important and artistic, and so many facets are explored. Really a book to keep you turning the pages.

I have often wondered about Harry Truman. This audio is full of personal history of a man not so well known, The history of his time in office is enlightening and also the many people he came in contact during this time. I have listened to this twice and find new information that i missed the first time. Enjoy the listen and will listen again and would recommend this audio,

I read this immediately after Woolner's Last 100 Days, an account of Roosevelt's last months. This reads almost like a sequel, giving us a day by day account of this ordinary man in extraordinary circumstances. I thought I was well-acquainted with this period, but these books gave me new insights about Truman and his decision making. BTW, I share the criticism of the type-setting and fonts: quite weird.

This is not a biography of Truman; but as the author states it is a study of the first four crucial months of his Presidency. Truman was an ‘ordinary man’ and our last President who was not a college graduate. Yet, he had enormous common sense, and approached his monumental task of replacing Roosevelt with courage and energy. Although the author has a silly comment about “…the U.S. military committed acts it still struggles to justify more than seventy years later;” Baime seems to come out justifying the use of nuclear weapons, agreeing with Ambrose and Brinkley. Rise to Globalism: American Foreign Policy Since 1938

This was a fast and easy read. Covers a period of time in our history where there were some serious things going on.
I cannot imagine being President Truman and coming into office when he did.
The writer does an awesome job of making a very readable book out of the events of that time.
I literally flew thru this book and was fascinated. For most of us this was before we were born.
Great read and I highly recommend it.

Fast paced and riveting from start to finish. This book made history come alive—history I thought I knew and understood was clarified and enhanced. This is the best non-fiction book I have read for a couple of years. The writing style made reading it a pleasure.

I put a question mark in the title because it has been repeated over and over so often that FDR was gravely ill that whomever was the VP on the 1948 ticket was going to be president sooner rather than later that how we can call anyone an accidental president was beyond my grasp at first. I think A.J. Baime means more how Harry Truman came out of relative obscurity—a rather unheralded Senator from Missouri whose only qualifications for the VP gig appeared to be: loyal Roosevelt man and no baggage.

Baime charts the rise from Missouri to Washington and largely follows the Truman as his own man narrative common in other works see David McCullough’s biography among others. But then he delves into Truman as president, standing in for the giant, mythical, FDR, and charts how Truman grew into the office. Truman made tough decisions (the rightness or wrongness is not debated in this book) that changed the course of the world.

With unique insights into both the negotiations at Potsdam between the three powers and the atomic bomb, The Accidental President charts the first four months of an administration that wasn’t expected and is a worthy pick up for anyone interested in the American presidency.

A. J. Baime has written an outstanding account of the first months of the Truman presidency. His prose brings to light the real nature of HST and shows a very human and yet practical side of the man. The country was very fortunate to have him on deck and ready to take the wheel more so then even he thought. Anyone interested in WWII will find this to be a very insightful and well documented addition to their library.

There are several books on Harry S Truman, but nothing on the pivotal months in between the death of FDR and the end of WWII. This book tells how, from the decision to bomb Japan to the tensions with the Soviet Union, Truman adjusted to his unexpected new role.

The audible book describes how President Truman rose to become a relatively unknown Vice President to be thrust into a turbulent and important periods in our history. A lot happened in a very short period of time. He is truly one of our most underrated Presidents.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s a readable account of the initial several months of the Truman presidency, from April 1945 through to the Japanese surrender in September 1945. It’s scholarly without being stuffy.

The first chapter details President Roosevelt’s failing health and his last day alive, April 12, 1945. Truman is promptly brought to the White House where Eleanor Roosevelt tells him of FDR’s death. Shortly thereafter he is sworn in as president. The next chapter is the obligatory mini-biography which recounts Truman’s early life and how he came to be Vice-President in the 1944 election. He was never part of FDR’s inner circle and was essentially ignored by FDR after he assumed the vice-presidency. He was blissfully ignorant of what was going on when he took on the presidency. He faced a steep learning curve – it was almost perpendicular—but he quickly found his footing. One needs to really give him a lot of credit.

After the book’s introductory chapters, readers follow Truman’s progress as he learns the challenges of the job and the problems facing the nation (and the world). The author tells the story in a straightforward way, chronologically, month-by-month. The major events include the closure of the war in Europe, the Potsdam Conference, the machinations over ending war with Japan and most importantly, the development of the atomic bomb. The author relies on original sources such as letters, minutes from meetings, official reports and so on to advance the story (there’s extensive end notes citing his sources).

Highly recommended for students of US history and geopolitics.

I receive a copy of the book through Netgalley in exchange for an objective review.

Some people are born to leadership roles and some have them foisted upon them. Poor Harry Truman wasn't ready to be the president of the United States. He was a plain man, lacking the patrician outlook so helpful in positions of power. He was, however an honest man, and a loyal friend to the less than scrupulous individuals that gave him his initial boost into politics. And, he was smart. These are the things that allowed him to shoulder the awesome responsibilities that fell in his lap one April afternoon when the United States stood on the cusp of victory in the most dreadful war the earth had seen. He was faced with a terrible duty to end that war horrifically in order to save the over 1,000,000 American servicemen who would have likely died in an invasion of Japan. All of this happened in the first four months of his presidency. Providence saw the nation through this period at the hands of an honest, good man with a conscience and a love of country. These often overlooked traits provide invaluable to the survival of a nation under the guidance of Harry S. Truman. This book offers and in-depth look at those four months so critical to America's evolution as a world power. It is a fascinating read, and gives an insight not achieved by other histories and biographies.

I have often wondered about Harry Truman. This audio is full of personal history of a man not so well known, The history of his time in office is enlightening and also the many people he came in contact during this time. I have listened to this twice and find new information that i missed the first time. Enjoy the listen and will listen again and would recommend this audio,

I was 14 when Truman took office. I remember much of what this book talks about. I remember people talking about his small town attitude. I have and still do think he was a great president with moral standards. Not self centered. Something to be proud of today

This is a very interesting and detailed portrayal of President Truman's actions and his decisions from the time of FDR`S death in April, 1945, to the time of the Japanese surrender in August of that year. It shows why he is now regarded as one of the 10 best presidents this country has had. He was not nearly so regarded when he left office. An excellent book.