Harry Truman’s Excellent Adventure by Matthew Algeo This is a delightful fast paced read about a 19-day road trip Harry Truman and his wife Bess took from their house in Missouri to Washington DC and back again in 1953 soon after leaving the presidency. Times were simpler back then for ex Presidents as they were able to make this trip as private citizens (President Truman drove) without the accompaniment of secret service. They were actually able to mingle with locals for much of this trip. This is definitely *not* a trip one of the current ex Presidents would be able to make today!
Author Matt Algeo does a great job with the research of this book providing specific details based on first hand accounts from witnesses. In addition, Algeo actually retraced the Truman’s trip by sleeping, eating and visiting (where available) the same places as the Truman’s. Select trip photos are included. Read about Harry Truman the man, not the politician. He loved fruit, changed his own oil, was a good tipper and drove fast. As Harry says, “The fact is, I like roads. I like to move.”
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