THE TRIALS OF HARRY S. TRUMAN: The Extraordinary Presidency of an Ordinary Man, 1945-1953

Truman was a self-taught man, blessed with keen political instincts, but carried along by the rush of events and inclined to make what he called "jump decisions," intuitive choices that bolstered a reputation for firmness but came with the risk of tragic missteps. During nearly eight years in office, Truman remained deeply human, insecure, and patriotic. Photos.