A Metaphysical Problem

A third of the text of ex-President Truman’s Memoirs (Vol. 2: Years of Trial and Hope, Doubleday, $5.00) consists of official documents, speeches, memoranda and letters. The remainder, in which a flat syntax links one cliché to the next, lacks every literary quality. Nevertheless, if we stick through the 1200 pages of the two volumes, we become in some degree acquainted with the author, or perhaps rather foreman, of this work.

At some point on our journey, we sight the fact that Harry Truman is a man without depth. He is not a villain just as surely as he is not a hero. Bounded by opinion in place of virtue, he is neither good nor bad, as incapable of treason as of sanctity. He has a number of practiced skills, but no mark of genius or talent. He is without shadow, without style.

JB

About the Author

James Burnham

Featured Tags

A third of the text of ex-President Truman’s Memoirs (Vol. 2: Years of Trial and Hope, Doubleday, $5.00) consists of official documents, speeches, memoranda and letters. The remainder, in which a flat syntax links one cliché to the next, lacks every literary quality. Nevertheless, if we stick through the 1200 pages of the two volumes, we become in some degree acquainted with the author, or perhaps rather foreman, of this work.

At some point on our journey, we sight the fact that Harry Truman is a man without depth. He is not a villain just as surely as he is not a hero. Bounded by opinion in place of virtue, he is neither good nor bad, as incapable of treason as of sanctity. He has a number of practiced skills, but no mark of genius or talent. He is without shadow, without style.