Taken directly from autobiographical writing composed by Truman between 1934 and 1972, the volume presents the thoughts and feelings of the man himself. The book touches on details in Truman's life from his days as a boy to graduation from Independence High School in 1901 to the vice presidency of the United States and beyond. There is also a memorandum written by Truman about the Pendergast machine in Kansas City telling how it was possible to work with the machine and not be soiled by it. The autobiography concludes with some of the retired president's thoughts about politics and the purposes of public life.

Volume editor: Robert H. Ferrell