Missouri Biography Series

Recommended Reading Order

• Harry S. Truman

  • Robert H. Ferrell

  • 354 pages
  • 13 hours of reading

  Focusing on Harry S. Truman's presidency, this volume explores his significant contributions and pivotal moments in U.S. history. It details his rise from World War I artillery commander to the thirty-third president, highlighting key events like the end of World War II, the atomic bomb decision, the onset of the Cold War, and domestic policies such as the Fair Deal. The narrative is enriched with biographical insights, primary sources, and analytical context, offering a comprehensive view of Truman's leadership and the era's political landscape.

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• Frontier Doctor: William Beaumont, America's First Great Medical Scientist

  • Reginald Horsman

  • 336 pages
  • 12 hours of reading

  This is the biography of William Beaumont, a 19th century doctor whose pioneering research on human digestion gained him international renown as a physiologist. The book details his medical career in the army, his experiments and research, and his publications.

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• Holy Joe: Joseph W. Folk and the Missouri Idea

  • Steven L. Piott

  • 224 pages
  • 8 hours of reading

  A biography of Folk (1869-1923), who gained national acclaim for investigating corruption in local government while a district attorney. Along with muckraking journalist Lincoln Steffens, he revealed the extent of wrongdoing and helped establish the idea that public office was a trust rather than an opportunity for personal gain. He was elected governor of Missouri in 1904 and left a legacy of reform. Annotation copyrighted by Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

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