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| Joe Bakewell. |
TRUMAN.
I’ve just finished Truman’s biography by David
McCullough, who does a remarkable job recreating the emotions of the times.
Truman surely had a greater number of crises to deal with on his watch than any
other president. McCullough’s summary near the end of the book brings it all
back as I recall having lived through it.
Truman’s life after leaving office was previously
unknown to me. Although respect for his presidential leadership and decisions
rises, he loses influence along with physical and mental prowess. He begins to
refer to himself as a little old man.
At one point, a writer from the N Y Times comes
for an interview. He doesn’t state his purpose which is to write Truman’s
obituary. When they sit down, Truman smiles and says, “I know why you’re here.”
Near the end of his life, he never breaks from his
values, his belief system, his genuine concern for all individuals, great and
small. He continues to correspond with old friends.
As you can tell, I loved the book and wish
that I’d been less judgmental during those times when Harry was struggling to
do the right thing.
The book has had another effect on me. I’m not
sure how long it will last but I’m very aware of my own mortality. Truman lived
to be 88 years, 8 months. People, both those near to me and those casually
interacting (sales clerks, etc.) treat me differently than they did 10-15 years
ago. And I believe that loving family members have some kind of fuzzy time
line.
You can draw your own conclusions here; I have
none to offer.
Joe Bakewell.
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