A serial memoir exploring the history, humanity and humor of being part of one of America’s First Families, as remembered by Clifton Truman Daniel, eldest grandson of President Harry S. Truman.
Clifton Truman Daniel opens the door to discover the rare and extraordinary experience of growing up as a presidential descendant. From growing up with Harry and Bess Truman, to President Truman’s major decisions, to the White House Renovation, to First Friendships, Mr. Daniel shares personal remembrances, family stories and archival material with warmth and wit.
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STORY ARCHIVE
Christmas at the Truman Home
Bess Truman was a perfect grandmother. She thought everything we grandchildren did was marvelous. She laughed at our stupid jokes (What’s green and dances? Fred Asparagus). Occasionally, she even took our side against our mother. This last thing sometimes happened at Christmas…
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Grandpa and LBJ
President Lyndon Baines Johnson died on January 22, 1973, less than a month after my grandfather. I remember the shock of seeing him at Grandpa’s funeral, gaunt and hollow-eyed, Lady Bird Johnson at his side. They and my grandparents had enjoyed a close friendship…
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President Grandpa
My parents didn’t tell me that my grandfather, Harry Truman, had been president of the United States. I found out in school. Good thing it was first grade and not fourth or fifth. On the first day, the teacher went around the room, asking each of us to stand, state our name, and say a little bit about ourselves and our family. Apparently, I stood up, said, “Clifton Daniel,” and sat back down…
COMING FEBRUARY 2023
Babysitter in Chief
Harry S. Truman, 33rd president of the United States, the “uncommon common man,” bank clerk, farmer, small businessman, citizen soldier, and county judge who rose to the highest office in the land, brought the war in the Pacific to an end and kept Communists and dictators at bay worldwide … was a terrible babysitter…
COMING MARCH 2023
Clifton Truman Daniel
Clifton Truman Daniel is the eldest grandson of President Harry S. Truman and First Lady Bess Wallace Truman. He is the son of author Margaret Truman and former New York Times Managing Editor E. Clifton Daniel, Jr. Mr. Daniel is honorary chairman of the board of the Truman Library Institute, board secretary of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation, and vice president of the Society of Presidential Descendants. He is the author of Growing Up with My Grandfather: Memories of Harry S. Truman and Dear Harry, Love Bess: Bess Truman’s Letters to Harry Truman, 1919-1943. In addition to portraying his famous grandfather on stage, Mr. Daniel gives a series of lectures on various aspects of the Truman presidency and U.S. and White House history. Learn more.
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