This book reproduces many of the significant letters between Presidents Hoover and Truman. Their contact started in 1945 when Truman became President and continued with varying frequency until Hoover's death in 1964.

The prelude to the initial meeting between the two men is recorded here. Truman himself recounted years later his invitation to Hoover to meet together in the White House in 1945.

The two men definitely had conflicting opinions of each other. Hoover initially saw Truman as mediocre and unable to comprehend the issues. In 1947, Hoover would not stay at Blair House for fear it was wired. Years later, Hoover expressed much gratitude to Truman for treating him better than Truman's immediate predecessor had. Hoover viewed Truman as unpredictable. While Truman was cordial and kind in letters and in person to Hoover, Truman nonetheless referred negatively to Hoover in campaign speeches in 1948 and 1952. Hoover viewed these as personal attacks. Truman's claim in 1965 that he never held Hoover accountable for the Great Depression is indeed doubtful.

Hoover's important work to fight human starvation in Europe after WW II is recorded here. Hoover and Truman worked together to combat this tragedy. The work of the Hoover Commission to reorganize the executive branch of the federal government is also recorded.

Bess Truman's letter to Hoover in 1949 is shown here. She requested Hoover to donate a portrait of Mrs. Hoover to the White House for public display.

Hoover's letter of 1950 showing thankfulness for Truman's survival of an assassination attempt is reproduced.

The speeches each man gave at the opening of the others Presidential Library are recorded.

I found one comment of the editors to be doubtful. They claim the Hoover/Truman friendship is unprecedented in the history of the Presidency. In April, 2000, Jimmy Carter stated that he and Gerald Ford were "the closest personal friends" of any former Presidents "in the last 200 years".

this book looks appealing, but it did not live up to my expectations. i find hoover a very interesting person and roosevelt even more interesting, however this book made their lives into a long, monotonous book that was hard to stay awake for.