The General vs. the President

MacArthur and Truman at the Brink of Nuclear War

By: H. W. Brands

Narrated by: Scott Brick

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

From master storyteller and historian H. W. Brands comes the riveting story of how President Harry Truman and General Douglas MacArthur squared off to decide America's future in the aftermath of World War II.

At the height of the Korean War, President Harry S. Truman committed a gaffe that sent shock waves around the world. When asked by a reporter about the possible use of atomic weapons in response to China's entry into the war, Truman replied testily, "The military commander in the field will have charge of the use of the weapons, as he always has." This suggested that General Douglas MacArthur, the willful, fearless, and highly decorated commander of the American and UN forces, had his finger on the nuclear trigger. A correction quickly followed, but the damage was done; two visions for America's path forward were clearly in opposition, and one man would have to make way.

Truman was one of the most unpopular presidents in American history. Heir to a struggling economy, a ruined Europe, and increasing tension with the Soviet Union, on no issue was the path ahead clear and easy. General MacArthur, by contrast, was incredibly popular, as untouchable as any officer has ever been in America. The lessons he drew from World War II were absolute: appeasement leads to disaster, and a showdown with the Communists was inevitable - the sooner the better. In the nuclear era, when the Soviets, too, had the bomb, the specter of a catastrophic third world war lurked menacingly close on the horizon.

The contest of wills between these two titanic characters unfolds against the turbulent backdrop of a faraway war and terrors conjured at home by Joseph McCarthy. From the drama of Stalin's blockade of West Berlin to the daring landing of MacArthur's forces at Inchon to the shocking entrance of China into the war, The General vs. the President vividly evokes the making of a new American era.

©2016 H. W. Brands (P)2016 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Scott Brick's narration shines as he delivers Brands's detailed account of the ultimate battle for military control between a struggling President Truman and a rogue General MacArthur.... Thanks to the talents of narrator and author, a broad audience will find this a riveting listen that goes beyond the simple historical facts to reveal the real men who, for a brief time, controlled the fate of the world." ( AudioFile)

Superb history, well read

This book is a winner. A visit to a forgotten time whose lessons we should heed now. So well organized, edited and spoken!

Reveals the complexity of two historic figures

The author made me rethink prejudices I had about both men. My opinion of MacArthur has always been colored by his treatment of the WWI vets who were peacefully protesting for relief from the Great Depression—the so-called “Bonus Army”.

In a similar way, I’ve always been uncomfortable with Truman’s use of Atomic Weapons against Japan. I thought both actions devalued human life in a fundamental way.

While the book doesn’t go into detail about either of these incidents, it paints a picture of two men who are too complex to be dismissed with history’s ‘bad actors’. I really appreciated the perspective and recommend this to anyone interested in history.

Also, Scott Brick—the narrator—perfectly captures the tension and gravity of this era. He’s a perfect match to this material, and I recommend checking out his other work on audible.

The General vs. the President Review

Personal favorites of the book for me were Parts I and V. HW Brands threads the needle of objectivity with precision. There were times in which I felt the frustration MacArthur must have felt with the politicians of Washington DC, located thousands of miles away from the Far East fight. At other times, you can feel the heat of Truman's temper, stemming from the General's insubordination. I recommend this book to those in the Military, and to lovers of History and Biography. It's a good read.

Unbelievable in-depth

The level of detail is unbelievable. 10/10 would recommend this book. More than just a history lovers listen.

The Patriot vs The Stooge

The sum of the parts, writer and narrator, are some of the very best, they do not disappoint
The book has some great detail on this contentious relationship. For the pro-Mac crowd, you are going to get the bad news that the Joint Chiefs and Omar Bradley were pro-Truman.

HW Brands is pro-Truman in a very respectful way. I can deal with it, because HWB is such a great historian. That said, I came away understanding Mac much better and being even more pro-Mac because I take into account information HWB would consider out-of-bounds for this book.

FDR's and Truman's justice and treasury departments were literally crawling with communists, socialists, and unloyal left-wingers. Not to mention the ever corrupt media. FDR-Truman gave China and Eastern Europe to the communists. They did not tell the Soviets to hit the road after WW2, before traitors gave away the Communists nukes, they could have.

Additionally, we know as historical fact that monetizing silver was done to break the Nationalist Chinese at a critical moment in fighting the Red-Chinese. Harry Dexter White (US Treasury) opening admits this in personal documents he left behind after death. White did not hide his Soviet spying because he thought the US was destined to become communist and he wanted due historical credit.

The left wing always claimed that Nationalist China was corrupt, wasteful, etc. But look at Taiwan, it’s a first world nation with a high standard of living. This proves Mac’s position that smearing the Nationalists was a calculated lie to undermine Nationalist China.

Also proving that Mac was right, Eisenhower ended the Korean war by warning that Nukes were on the table. The Chinese and Russians wanted nothing to do with true Industrial War with the USA. They could not handle that. They could handle bleeding the USA with little wars in Vietnam and other places.

End of the Day, Mac is still a Great Patriot and Truman is still just a corrupt New Deal Stooge

Good historical perspective

Love Scott Bricks narration on a good piece of history. Interesting times with Interesting people.

EXCELLENT

Solid account of the history and power struggle of President Truman and General MacArthur. Truman, of course, was right in his decision to fire his general. Though I am a lifelong Republican, I would have proudly voted for this great American. Great listening experience - Superb narration, too.

Magnificent detail

I though that this book was very well written in terms of the detail that it was able to include in an entertaining way. Well narrated but even better researched.

GHH

Not a bad book a little slow at times but I did learn a lot

H.W. Brands is a great historian

I think this book fully tells the tale of what really happened from a well researched point of view.