Plain Speaking

This is a book about Harry Truman, and most of it is in his own words and the words of people who knew him before he went to Washington and after and while he was there. It should be said instantly that the words were not spoken with a book in mind. They were spoken in the hope that out of them would come ideas for God-alone-knew how many television programs that would explain to the eager millions what it had been like to be President and what as President Mr. Truman had done. As Mr. Truman used to say, "I'm mostly interested in the children. The old folks, mostly they're too set in their ways and too stubborn to learn anything new, but I want the children to know what we've got here in this country and how we got it, and then if they want to go ahead and change it, why, that's up to them. But I want them to understand what it's all about first. I want to make a historical record that has never been made before in the history of this country, and if it turns out all right, I'll be very happy indeed."