The plainspoken man from Missouri who never expected to be president yet rose to become one of the greatest leaders of the twentieth century, Harry S. Truman clashed with Southerners over civil rights, with organized labor over the right to strike, and with General Douglas MacArthur over the conduct of the Korean War. He personified Thomas Jefferson's observation that the presidency is a "splendid misery," but it was during his tenure that the United States truly came of age.

Preludes -- Ending the war and planning peace -- The worst of times -- Politician and statesman -- Against all odds -- Cold War president -- Miseries at home and abroad -- Lost credibility -- Last hurrahs -- Milestones.