Multimedia Presentations

David G. McCullough, at right, researching at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum, circa 1990.

National Archives.

In 1992, writer David McCullough released a biography of President Harry S Truman that became a publishing phenomonon. Over thirty years later, Truman is still being read by people around the world by those wanting to learn more about the man from Missouri.

David G. McCullough died in 2022. In tribute to him, Harry S Truman National Historic Site has partnered with Mid-Continent Public Library to offer a multi-part series based on Truman. Each session, we hope to show how Mr. McCullough assembled his book...the letters, diaries, documents, photographs, and more. We include archive and museum objects from the Truman Home and Truman Farm Home collection. And occasionally we'll share things that have been made available since Mr. McCullough researched and wrote his book.

We at Harry S Truman National Historic Site tip our Ranger hats to David McCullough, and offer our deepest thanks for being a good friend, and for making the world more aware of Harry Truman's story.

 

Duration:

55 minutes, 44 seconds

Part One of A Guided Tour of "Truman" by David McCullough

 

Duration:

1 hour, 36 minutes, 51 seconds

Part Two of A Guided Tour of "Truman"

 

Duration:

1 hour, 4 minutes, 43 seconds

Part Three of A Guided Tour of "Truman"

 

Duration:

1 hour, 7 minutes, 23 seconds

Part Four of A Guided Tour of "Truman"

 

Duration:

1 hour, 17 minutes, 6 seconds

We continue our journey of David McCullough's biography of Harry Truman, examining his brief time as Vice President, his first few weeks as President, his experience at Potsdam, and his decision to use the atomic bomb, and more. Some interesting film clips and more illustrate a most fascinating time in our history.

 

Duration:

1 hour, 14 minutes, 5 seconds

We continue our journey through David McCullough's 1992 biography of Harry S Truman. In this session, we discuss the beginning of the post World War II era and some of the challenges President Truman had. Some film clips and items from the collections of the park and the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum illustrate this period. Thanks to Mid-Continent Public Library for being a fantastic partner!

 

Duration:

1 hour, 14 minutes, 5 seconds

 

Duration:

1 hour, 10 minutes, 36 seconds

We continue our monthly journey through David McCullough's epic life of our 33rd President. In this session, President Truman is inaugurated for his own term as President, has some changes in his Administration, faces challenges in China and Europe, and a major challenge when North Korea invades South Korea. Truman also faced a challenge with how to deal with an insubordinate general named MacArthur.

 

Duration:

1 hour, 4 minutes, 51 seconds

In Harry Truman's second administration he faces several challenging problems, including how to handle Joseph McCarthy, a steel strike, personnel issues, ethical issues among his staff, and more. The First Lady loses her mother and the President his mother in law. The 1952 campaign heats up...can the Democrats hold on to the White House? This program is offered in partnership with Mid-Continent Public Library

 

Duration:

1 hour, 11 minutes, 49 seconds

We conclude our ten-month examination of David McCullough's biography of Harry S Truman, by looking at the last nineteen years of Harry S Truman's life, from 1953-1972. This program series was brought to you by the National Park Service and Mid-Continent Public Library.