Harry Truman's Improbable Victory and the Year that Transformed America

November 1, 2011

Taking an approach similar to that of his previous books, Pietrusza (1920: The Year of the Six Presidents; 1960: LBJ vs. JFK vs. Nixon) looks at President Truman's 1948 victory over Thomas E. Dewey for the presidency. Truman's seemingly impossible feat is both the climax and the backdrop of Pietrusza's examination of the candidates, the issues, and the times. After a cursory overview of Truman's life up to the point when he was thrust into the White House from the vice presidency in 1945, the author portrays Truman's difficult first (partial) term while allowing readers to get to know the President. He then introduces Truman's opponents: the Republican Dewey; former vice president and Progressive Party candidate Henry Wallace; and Strom Thurmond, the candidate of the Dixiecrats; as well as many other minor players surrounding them. It's a sweeping examination of the characters and their times, making for compelling general reading, even though the outcome is known from the start. VERDICT This narrative of a U.S. presidential election and its significance will appeal especially to presidential history buffs and less advanced readers on the subject. Specialists may enjoy the story but will not find anything new here.--Jane B. Marino, Great Neck Lib., NY

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