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Title: The Last Campaign: How Harry Truman Won the 1948 Election by Zachary Karabell ISBN: 0-375-70077-3 Publisher: Vintage Pub. Date: 10 April, 2001 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $14.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4 (25 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: Wonderfully written history, full of charm and insight......
Comment: More than a mere summary of Truman's upset victory, this book wisely includes detailed accounts of all the presidential campaigns; Republican Thomas Dewey, Progressive Henry Wallace, and Dixiecrat Strom Thurmond. Consequently, we are given new insight as to how Truman pulled off his magnificent victory. Still, the main thrust of the book (how 1948 was the last year for so many things political), is infinitely fascinating and makes this a book impossible to put down. Truman's style of tough talk and fierce rhetoric (which the author believes opened the door for Republican-led attacks in Truman's second term) captured the nation that year, but would soon give way to the bland and inoffensive platitudes of Dewey. Because 1948 was the last presidential election not to have significant television coverage, candidates could focus more on the issues at hand without be as concerned with image and polite pronouncements. The year 1948 also witnessed the last relevant convention, when the candidate was decided after more than one ballot. As the author states, conventions are now "public spectacles for mass consumption" rather than smoke-filled halls of debate, negotiation, and last-minute surprises (could we even imagine a dark horse candidate today?) Finally, 1948 gave voters the last real choice from the ideological spectrum. While Truman and Dewey were similar in their centrist views, Wallace and Thurmond added much-desired views at the extremes. While the two fringe candidates never seriously challenged for the White House, they did receive substantial coverage and for a time, many thought Thurmond might force the election into the House. And, in something unimaginable in today's reactionary landscape, Truman actually veered Left in order to win! Author Zachary Karabell writes with a lively pen and even though this is a serious historical study, he never fails to add a dash of humor or even a pointed remark. From the campaign trains to the deluded pollsters; from Dewey's "relaxed" evenings at home (in a stiff suit and tie, no less) to Thurmond's shameless flirting at various beauty contests, this book is revealing, intelligent, and always a great read.
Rating: 3
Summary: Great prose, spotty analysis
Comment: This book is readable and informative, but the author's analysis veers from solid to irrational. On the good side, Karabell vividly captures American politics circa 1948, analyzing how matters soon changed with television. He examines the strengths and weaknesses of Truman, Dewey, and third-party candidates Henry Wallace and Strom Thurmond. The author also correctly notes how Democratic support for civil rights in 1948 started the South's long slide to the Republicans. Unfortunately, Karabell is off base in claiming that a "dirty" Truman campaign led the Republicans to future slanders and McCarthyism. In reality, GOP slanders against Truman (and FDR) were already plentiful - Dewey's 1948 billboards promised to drive communists from government. Mudslinging by both parties has a long history, and dates to when Federalist John Adams and rival Thomas Jefferson were each accused of being British agents. Karabell also barely mentions the campaign's most important factor - incumbents rarely lose in times of peace and prosperity. "The Last Campaign" is is a fun read, but it's analysis is somewhat spotty.
Rating: 5
Summary: I love this stuff.
Comment: But I'm a historical, political junkie. As it happens this book is very relevant today. Senator Trent Lott has been having problems with his segregationist toasts at Senator Strom Thurmond's 100th birthday party & there hasn't been so much interest in the 1948 election since.... 1948.
1948 was a watershed election on several levels. It was the last elections of an old era of politics & at the same time, the first of a new. There were four major canidates. President Truman got down & dirty. His vitriolic, uncompromising partisanship would be unacceptable today. At the other end of the spectrum, milk-sop Governor Dewey, the big favorite, was too cool, emotionless & refused to fight. That stand pat attitude wouldn't fly today. Then Governor Thurmond was a southern Democrat, at best a segregationist & proud of it. He ran a credible campaign in the south & capture the electoral college in three states. Henry Wallace did not get any electoral votes. He was a former vice president & could have caused a constitutional crisis in several states where he was popular. Seen as the peace at any price canidate he was controlled by the communist & considered by some as Stalin's stooge. He forced president Truman to campaign a little further to the left than he wanted. That's four different major canidates. It will not happen again. It was the last campaign in which major canidates traveled by train in extensive whistle-stop fashion. Radio & newspapers were the media. Television was first used at the conventions but was primitive & did not impact on the election. As in todays campaigns a major concern was money, campaign financing & contributors. Governor Thurmond was always strapped for cash & got a little help from oil companies anxious to drill for oil in the gulf. Wallace actually charged admission to his campaign appearances. Then there were polls, polls & polls. However, polling was not the exact science it is today. Thus polling organizations missed some key demographics. They predicted for Dewey & we know what happened. One of my favorite photos of all time is DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN. Mr. Karabell pulls the whole election together in an informative & entertaining manner. Definitely five stars.
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Title: The Russians Are Coming! the Russians Are Coming!: Pageantry and Patriotism in Cold-War America by Richard M. Fried ISBN: 0195134176 Publisher: Oxford Univ Pr on Demand Pub. Date: June, 1999 List Price(USD): $25.00 |
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Title: Moving On: The American People Since 1945 (2nd Edition) by George Donelson Moss ISBN: 0130171913 Publisher: Prentice Hall Pub. Date: 07 June, 2000 List Price(USD): $49.00 |
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Title: Parting the Desert : The Creation of the Suez Canal by ZACHARY KARABELL ISBN: 0375408835 Publisher: Knopf Pub. Date: 20 May, 2003 List Price(USD): $27.50 |
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Title: Jack : A Life Like No Other by Geoffrey Perret ISBN: 037576125X Publisher: Random House Trade Paperbacks Pub. Date: 08 October, 2002 List Price(USD): $14.95 |
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Title: Governor Reagan: His Rise to Power by Lou Cannon ISBN: 1586480308 Publisher: PublicAffairs Pub. Date: 16 September, 2003 List Price(USD): $30.00 |
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