Ascent to Power

How Truman Emerged from Roosevelt's Shadow and Remade the World

By: David L. Roll

Narrated by: Mark Bramhall

**One of Foreign Affairs's Best Books of 2024**

From Franklin Roosevelt’s final days through Harry Truman’s extraordinary transformation, this is the enthralling story behind the most consequential presidential transition in US history.

When Roosevelt, in failing health, decided to run for a fourth term, he gave in to the big city Democratic bosses and reluctantly picked Senator Truman as his vice president, a man he barely knew. Upon FDR’s death in April 1945, Truman, after only 82 days as VP, was thrust into the presidency. Utterly unprepared, he faced the collapse of Germany, a Europe in ruins, the organization of the UN, a summit with Stalin and Churchill, and the question of whether atomic bombs would be ready for use against Japan. Meanwhile, the Soviet Union was growing increasingly hostile towards US power. Truman inherited FDR’s hope that peace could be maintained through cooperation with the Soviets, but he would soon learn that imitating his predecessor would lead only to missteps and controversy.

Spanning the years of transition, 1944 to 1948, Ascent to Power illuminates Truman’s struggles to emerge as president in his own right. Yet, from a relatively unknown Missouri senator to the most powerful man on Earth, Truman’s legacy transcends. With his come-from-behind campaign in the fall of 1948, his courageous civil rights advocacy, and his role in liberating millions from militarist governments and brutal occupations, Truman’s decisions during these pivotal years changed the course of the world in ways so significant we live with them today.

Truman in historical context

This author presents Truman in a way that captures such an interesting time in history. he explains better than anyone else the order to integrate the army and the weaknesses of that order. Truman’s outrage at the brutal blinding of a World War II black soldier by racists is often forgotten among the many episodes occurring during this time. Truman recognized the country of Israel is counterpoint with his private almost traditional antisemitism.

Excellent new look at the time of the FDR - HST Presidential transition.

No dislikes. Good narration. This book targets the transition from the administration of FDR to that of HST and does it very well.
I have read many biographies of FDR but only one of HST. Because of its focus, this book has provided me with information I did not have.
Well done!

When Character Mattered

An engrossing study of a presidential transition during the most stressful circumstances imaginable. The world was lucky that FDR was president during WW2 and even luckier that Harry Truman was capable of measuring up to an impossible task with humility and integrity. Mark Bramhall’s narration really informs the text with gravitas.

Very good

Well done . Different insight into Truman about how he became one of our greatest presidents.

The integrity and honesty of a humble man

A well researched book that clearly exemplified that Truman was undoubtedly a highly successful president