
Ascent to Power
How Truman Emerged from Roosevelt's Shadow and Remade the World
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Narrated by:
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Mark Bramhall
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By:
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David L. Roll
About this listen
**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.
©2024 David L. Roll (P)2024 Penguin AudioListeners also enjoyed...
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Critic reviews
“With a complete mastery of the sources, David Roll takes us on the gripping journey from Harry Truman’s election as vice-president in 1944 through to his death, rightly concentrating on the crucial years that ended in his stunning re-election as president in 1948. Roll has a fine sense of all the key figures around Truman, but it is his insights into the man himself that are so valuable. Well-researched, well-written and intensely readable, this book confirms Truman as a giant of American—indeed global—history.”—Andrew Roberts, New York Times bestselling author of Churchill: Walking with Destiny
“The sudden death of Franklin Roosevelt shook the world; the recognition that power would pass to Harry Truman shook it even more. But the untested Truman turned out to be just what America and the world needed as World War II segued into the Cold War. No one has told this vital story more thoroughly or with greater verve and insight than David Roll does in this fine book.”—H. W. Brands, Pulitzer Prize finalist and author of The General vs. the President
“After winning World War II, America rebuilt the world—including its enemies. How that happened is one of the great stories of any age. Equally remarkable is how Harry Truman, a modest man of the people, took over from the great FDR to achieve this miracle. The author of brilliant biographies of Harry Hopkins and George C. Marshall, lawyer-turned-historian David Roll brings a clear and sharp eye for evidence and a deep human understanding to telling this tale. As the global order Truman built teeters at the brink, Ascent to Power could not be more relevant.”—Evan Thomas, New York Times bestselling author of Road to Surrender
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- Length: 32 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
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In this classic portrait of Dwight D. Eisenhower the soldier, best-selling historian Stephen E. Ambrose examines the Allied commander's leadership during World War II. Ambrose brings Eisenhower's experience of the Second World War to life, showing in vivid detail how the general's skill as a diplomat and a military strategist contributed to Allied successes in North Africa and in Europe and established him as one of the greatest military leaders in the world.
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Very Interesting of the politics of war
- By Timothy on 06-28-17
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Truman
- By: David McCullough
- Narrated by: Nelson Runger
- Length: 54 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
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Hailed by critics as an American masterpiece, David McCullough's sweeping biography of Harry S. Truman captured the heart of the nation. The life and times of the 33rd president of the United States, Truman provides a deeply moving look at an extraordinary, singular American.
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That Mousy Little Man From Missouri Revisited
- By Sara on 07-23-15
By: David McCullough
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The Age of Eisenhower
- America and the World in the 1950s
- By: William I. Hitchcock
- Narrated by: Arthur Morey
- Length: 25 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
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In a 2017 survey, presidential historians ranked Dwight D. Eisenhower fifth on the list of great presidents, behind the perennial top four: Lincoln, Washington, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Teddy Roosevelt. Historian William Hitchcock shows that this high ranking is justified. Eisenhower's accomplishments were enormous and loom ever larger from the vantage point of our own tumultuous times.
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A Very Thorough and Balanced Biography
- By John on 05-28-18
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Lincoln vs. Davis
- The War of the Presidents
- By: Nigel Hamilton
- Narrated by: Rick Adamson
- Length: 32 hrs and 2 mins
- Unabridged
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From a renowned biographer comes the greatest untold story of the Civil War: how two American presidents faced off as the fate of the nation hung in the balance—and how Abraham Lincoln came to embrace emancipation as the last, best chance to save the Union. With a cast of unforgettable characters, from first ladies to fugitive coachmen to treasonous cabinet officials, Lincoln vs. Davis is a spellbinding dual biography from renowned presidential chronicler Nigel Hamilton: a saga that will surprise, touch, and enthrall.
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loved the insights of inner cabinets.
- By Amazon Customer on 11-07-24
By: Nigel Hamilton
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Traitor to His Class
- The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt
- By: H. W. Brands
- Narrated by: Mark Deakins
- Length: 37 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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A sweeping, magisterial biography of the man generally considered the greatest president of the 20th century, admired by Democrats and Republicans alike. Traitor to His Class sheds new light on FDR's formative years; his remarkable willingness to champion the concerns of the poor and disenfranchised; and his combination of political genius, firm leadership, and matchless diplomacy in saving democracy during the Great Depression and the American cause of freedom in World War II.
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Talented writer and narrator, but too biased/long
- By todd on 01-24-20
By: H. W. Brands
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The Light of Battle
- Eisenhower, D-Day, and the Birth of the American Superpower
- By: Michel Paradis
- Narrated by: Jacques Roy
- Length: 16 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
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On June 6, 1944, General Dwight Eisenhower addressed the thousands of American troops preparing to invade Normandy, exhorting them to embrace the “Great Crusade” they faced. Then, in a fleeting moment alone, he drafted a resignation letter in case the invasion failed. In The Light of Battle, Michel Paradis, acclaimed author of Last Mission to Tokyo, paints a vivid portrait of Dwight Eisenhower as he learns to navigate the crosscurrents of diplomacy, politics, strategy, family, and fame with the fate of the free world hanging in the balance.
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Eisenhower Unveiled: Strategy & Leadership lessons
- By Michael on 07-12-24
By: Michel Paradis
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The Strategists
- Churchill, Stalin, Roosevelt, Mussolini, and Hitler: How War Made Them and How They Made War
- By: Phillips Payson O'Brien
- Narrated by: Justin Price
- Length: 18 hrs and 9 mins
- Unabridged
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Churchill. Hitler. Stalin. Mussolini. Roosevelt. Five of the most impactful leaders of WW2, each with their own individualistic and idiosyncratic approach to warfare. But if we want to understand their military strategy, we must first understand the strategist. In The Strategists, Professor Phillips Payson O'Brien shows how the views these five leaders forged in WW1 are crucial to understanding how they fought WW2.
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A Man of Iron
- The Turbulent Life and Improbable Presidency of Grover Cleveland
- By: Troy Senik
- Narrated by: Pete Simonelli, Troy Senik
- Length: 12 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
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Grover Cleveland’s political career—a dizzying journey that saw him rise from obscure lawyer to president of the United States in just three years—was marked by contradictions. A politician of uncharacteristic honesty and principle, he was nevertheless dogged by secrets from his personal life. A believer in limited government, he pushed presidential power to its limits to combat a crippling depression, suppress labor unrest, and resist the forces of American imperialism.
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Worth the Wait!
- By Brian S Cunningham on 09-21-22
By: Troy Senik
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FDR
- By: Jean Edward Smith
- Narrated by: Marc Cashman
- Length: 32 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
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One of today's premier biographers, Jean Edward Smith, has written a modern, comprehensive, indeed ultimate book on the epic life of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. This is a portrait painted in broad strokes and fine details. We see how Roosevelt's restless energy, fierce intellect, personal magnetism, and ability to project effortless grace permitted him to master countless challenges throughout his life. Smith recounts FDR's personal battles and also tackles head-on and in depth the numerous failures and miscues of Roosevelt's political career.
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Interesting but flawed
- By Mike From Mesa on 09-15-13
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The Definitive FDR
- Roosevelt: The Lion and the Fox (1882-1940) and Roosevelt: The Soldier of Freedom (1940-1945)
- By: James MacGregor Burns
- Narrated by: David Stifel
- Length: 58 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
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Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the longest serving president in US history, reshaping the country during the crises of the Great Depression and World War II. James MacGregor Burns's magisterial two-volume biography tells the complete life story of the fascinating political figure who instituted the New Deal. The Lion and the Fox details Roosevelt's youth, education, and his rise to national prominence, through his first two terms as president. The Soldier of Freedom is a moving profile of a leader gifted with rare political talent in an era of extraordinary challenges.
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Dedicated Author
- By Michael on 01-13-24
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The Court at War
- FDR, His Justices, and the World They Made
- By: Cliff Sloan
- Narrated by: Brian Troxell
- Length: 13 hrs and 40 mins
- Unabridged
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By the summer of 1941, in the ninth year of his presidency, Franklin Roosevelt had molded his Court. He had appointed seven of the nine justices—the most by any president except George Washington—and handpicked the chief justice. But the wartime Roosevelt Court had two faces. One was bold and progressive, the other supine and abject, cowed by the charisma of the revered president. The Court at War explores this pivotal period.
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Fascinating history
- By Richard on 03-14-24
By: Cliff Sloan
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- sunao mind☯️ heart ❤️
- 01-30-25
Truman defeated Republican use of Dark Psychology
Excellent road map to defeat Republicans use of Dark Psychology of today and future. i hope the democratic party of today has the guts to do what Truman did. You have to counter Dark Psychology with truth, call out the lies, and blame them for what they have done and will do! Go All In!!! my suggestion is look up Dark Psychology and spread the word , republican use of Dark Psychology, most people don't realize they are being manipulated with Dark Psychology
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- Charles
- 07-21-24
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.
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- L. Shapiro
- 06-14-24
OK, history about Truman
The book is good, but his anti-Semitic bias is quite heavy at the end and a lot of his facts at the end are just not the same thing as truth
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- Les
- 05-16-24
The integrity and honesty of a humble man
A well researched book that clearly exemplified that Truman was undoubtedly a highly successful president
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- Andy Toma
- 06-30-24
Truman’s courage is clear
This book is an excellent story of the transition. It’s clear from reading of Truman’s even though he wasn’t prepared for the Presidency.
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- Gregory
- 06-08-24
Interesting Story
Interesting story about Truman’s ascent to the Presidency, and the challenges of filling the shoes of a strong leader while creating one’s own legacy.
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- Edwin
- 07-19-24
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.
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- happybooker
- 08-28-24
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!
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- Anonymous User
- 10-18-24
Very good
Well done . Different insight into Truman about how he became one of our greatest presidents.
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- D.
- 10-08-24
Repeat of George Marshall
This book repeated many sections of George Marshall verbatim, so I bought much of the same book twice. The premise is that this book concerns the transition from FDR to Truman, but much of the book is generic to WWII and its aftermath and becomes a more general discussion just taken in large sections from the George Marshall book. The other book, which I recommend, covers Truman in some detail since Marshall was Truman’s Secret of State. Very disappointed in the lack of original content.
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