Off the Record: The Private Papers of Harry S. Truman

The rich cache of very private, mostly handwritten, material from which this readable and refreshing volume was compiled was closed to historians until 1978. Some of the most interesting items are scorching letters written, but on cooler reflection not sent, to those whom Mr. Truman considered exceptional knaves or fools. The book does not alter our understanding of a candid, honest, quick-tempered man, but it does add many delightful details.