David McCullough’s pullet-surprise book Truman told me a lot about the man that I never knew: That he farmed six hundred acres as a young man, riding a cultivator behind a pair of horses, risked his life in World War I commanding a field artillery battery, and failed as a haberdasher before the Pendergast political machine of Missouri asked him to run for county judge. It’s a lively and touching book, told mainly via Truman’s many letters and diary entries, and those of others who knew him well.
I originally bought the almost thousand page volume in paper, but it fell apart, so I bought a hardback. That way, Mr. B. can read it when he’s older–and benefit from knowing probably the last president without a college degree.
It’s a good thing for McCullough that his book was published before the Web came along, or it might have been jarred, as it is somewhat for me, by the story of Truman’s eldest grandson. McCullough hardly mentions him, except as a child Truman doted on. I got curious and did a Web search on him. Addicted to drink and drugs, his confused life is a sad footnote to his famous grandfather’s achievements. If McCullough knew the grandson’s tale, he should have included something about it. Even if it would be quite a counterpoint.
THE TEXAS SCRIBBLER 
I read with interest your blog entry…on my grandfather, Harry S. Truman. I’m glad you enjoyed the McCullough book, as did I.
You should know that my “confused life” ended in 1983, ten years before David published “Truman.” I have since had a successful career as a journalist in Wilmington, NC and am currently director of public relations for Truman College in Chicago, where I’ve been since 1998. I am the honorary chairman of the board of directors of the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum and Truman Library Institute, having served on the board as a voting member for nine years, the maximum term. I have been married for 22 years and have three children, the oldest two of whom are college honor students. I travel frequently, speaking about my grandparents and parents, and maintain a web site for that purpose.
The link you provide to Amazon represents only a small facet of my life and the posted reviews of the book make me wonder if those posting them even read it all. The whole point was that I made some horrific choices as a young man, but that having a grandfather like Harry Truman as an example helped me overcome them .. and then some. My life is hardly a “sad footnote” to his.
Respectfully,
Clifton Truman Daniel
Director, Public Relations
Harry S Truman College
1145 West Wilson
Chicago, IL 60640
Mr. Daniel,
Thanks for the email, which, as you agreed, I have posted here.
Too bad McCullough didn’t use some of your details, since he must have known them. It would have improved his book, I think.
I’m glad to hear things are good for you now.
Regards,
Dick Stanley