Dewey Defeats Truman: The 1948 Election and the Battle for America's Soul

On the eve of the 1948 election, America was a fractured country. Racism was rampant, foreign relations were fraught, and political parties were more divided than ever. Americans were certain that President Harry S. Truman’s political career was over. “The ballots haven’t been counted,” noted political columnist Fred Othman, “but there seems to be no further need for holding up an affectionate farewell to Harry Truman.” Truman’s own staff did not believe he could win. Nor did his wife, Bess. The only man in the world confident that Truman would win was Mr. Truman himself. And win he did. 

The year 1948 was a fight for the soul of a nation. In Dewey Defeats Truman, A. J. Baime sheds light on one of the most action-packed six months in American history, as Truman both triumphs and oversees watershed events—the passing of the Marshall plan, the acknowledgement of Israel as a new state, the careful attention to the origins of the Cold War, and the first desegregation of the military. 

Not only did Truman win the election, he succeeded in guiding his country forward at a critical time with high stakes and haunting parallels to the modern day.

This riveting work of mid-20th century American history explores the personalities, politics, and pivotal moments of a single year that changed the world:

• A Four-Way Race: Discover the explosive politics of a deeply divided America, as Truman battles not only Thomas Dewey but also the breakaway Dixiecrats led by Strom Thurmond and Henry Wallace’s Progressive Party.
• The Dawn of the Cold War: Go inside the White House as Truman confronts the origins of the Cold War, from the passing of the Marshall Plan to the rising paranoia of the Red Scare.
• The Ultimate Underdog Story: Witness one of the greatest comebacks in political history as Harry S. Truman, counted out by his own staff and even his wife, mounts a history-making campaign to win the presidency.
• Landmark Civil Rights Battles: Uncover the story behind Truman’s watershed decision to desegregate the military, a courageous move that defied his party and set a new course for America.
• Parallels to Today: Explore the haunting similarities between 1948 and the modern day, from partisan division and "fake news" to a fight for the very soul of the nation.