Book · 1973 · Politics and government
Plain Speaking
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So, well, we'll go talk about books, but the best Truman book, the one you need to read, is it's called Plain Speaking, and it's an it's an oral history of Truman.
Ryan Holiday · The Daily Stoic · Jun 2025 Listen at 1:01:02 Why people recommend it
Plain Speaking by Merle Miller is an acclaimed oral history composed of candid interviews with President Harry S. Truman, capturing his unfiltered thoughts on politics, history, and leadership. The book has found a dedicated admirer in author Ryan Holiday, who has repeatedly highlighted its merits across episodes of The Daily Stoic. In one appearance alongside Doris Kearns Goodwin, Holiday cited the book as one of his favorite presidential biographies, noting a memorable scene where Truman discusses the ancient Stoic philosopher Marcus Aurelius. In a later episode featuring Vanessa Van Edwards, Holiday enthusiastically recommended the oral history to listeners, declaring it the absolute best book to read on Truman due to its unique conversational format and revealing insights into the twentieth-century president's character. Through these passionate endorsements, Holiday emphasized how the volume transcends traditional political biographies, offering readers a rare, direct glimpse into the mind of a historical leader whose personal philosophies and practical wisdom continue to resonate with modern seekers of character and resilience.
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Ryan Holiday So, well, we'll go talk about books, but the best Truman book, the one you need to read, is it's called Pla… 2
“Well, one of my favorite presidential biographies I'm i'm using that term loosely is Merl Miller plain speaking. I love it. And and and one of the things that I love about that is there's a scene in it where uh he starts talking about Marcus Aurelius uh Truman does”
“So, well, we'll go talk about books, but the best Truman book, the one you need to read, is it's called Plain Speaking, and it's an it's an oral history of Truman”