Product Description

Based upon research in the papers of President Harry S. Truman and in several journalistic collections, this volume recounts the story of a president who overcame the censure of the news media to win both public and press approval.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2864052 in Books
• Published on: 1998-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 277 pages

From Library Journal
At first blush, the reader probably wonders what more could be said about Harry Truman after the flurry of books by Robert H. Ferrell, Alonzo Hamby, and David McCullough. Indeed, Mitchell (history, Univ. of Southern California) tells much the same story as his scholarly predecessors, yet he does make an important contribution with his focus on the media. Especially useful is his treatment of the evolution of the presidential press conference after FDR, with Truman averaging at least one conference each week (far more often than we are treated to today!). Mitchell also describes the growth of women as national journalists and judiciously discusses the ascendancy of television over radio. Truman's approach to the media evolved during his years in office and was indeed sometimes contentious, yet by his death in 1972, his reputation had soared. Mitchell's book, which helps us understand how the feisty Truman dealt with the media in those hectic post-World War II years, is worth a look, especially for scholars of the period. Recommended for larger collections.?Edward Goedeken, Iowa State Univ. Lib., Ames
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

A bonus for presidential studies.
Franklin D. Mitchell has written an extensive portrayal of the pugnacious relationship between President Harry Truman and the news media. Truman liked the media, especially when it provided the public with images that displayed his down-to-earth personality. But the president often lost his temper when the media became critical of his family, friends, and his domestic policies.

Mitchell recounts how the media played an important role during the Truman years between 1945-1953. He provides the reader with a chronological narrative in history. Mitchell reviews the 1948 election that resulted in the greatest presidential miscall in journalistic history. He also touches base with the rise of women and minorities in the media, and how the newsreel and photojournalism contributed to the Truman presidency.

The book is interesting and extensively detailed. Highly recommended for anyone interested in Harry Truman or political/presidential studies.