by A. J. Baime
First published 2021
President Harry Truman faces the 1948 election with almost no one believing he can win. Political columnist Fred Othman writes farewell pieces before the votes are counted. His own staff doubts him. Even his wife Bess expects defeat. Only Truman himself believes victory is possible. America sits fractured by racism and political division. Foreign relations create constant tension. The country needs leadership at a critical moment. Truman campaigns against overwhelming odds while managing the Marshall Plan, recognizing Israel as a new state, and navigating the early Cold War. He also pushes through the first military desegregation. The election becomes a battle for America's future direction. Baime follows six months of intense political drama as Truman proves the experts wrong and guides the nation forward during a pivotal time in American history.
Genres: historical-fiction, 20th-century, political-thriller, american-history
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: against-all-odds, underdog
Setting: America, Israel
Period: 1948
448 pages · Paperback · Mariner Books