Transcripts and Recordings of Interviews
for "The Buck Stops Here," A BBC Radio Program
Dates: 1984.
[Collection Description |
Interview Summaries]
COLLECTION DESCRIPTION
In 1984, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) recorded a series
of interviews for a documentary radio program marking the centennial of
the birth of Harry S. Truman, entitled "The Buck Stops Here."
The persons interviewed included political figures who had participated
in the major events of the Truman Presidency, as well as prominent scholars
who had studied the period.
Subsequently, the BBC provided transcripts and recordings of its interviews
for this program to the Harry S. Truman Library. The Library is now opening
for research the transcripts and recordings of the BBC interviews with
Clark Clifford, Robert Ferrell,
Alger Hiss, Roy Jenkins, Paul
Nitze, Forrest Pogue, David
Rosenberg, Dean Rusk, Martin
Sherwin, Sir Oliver Wright, and Daniel
Yergin. These eleven persons donated their copyright interests in
the interviews to the Truman Library.
The transcripts, which include a number of misspellings and typographical
errors, are available in the Miscellaneous Historical Documents Collection
(MHDC 845) of the Truman Library. The recordings have been transferred
to the Library's audiovisual collection. Brief summaries of the interviews
are provided below with reference numbers for the tape recordings.
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Collection Description | Interview Summaries
]
INTERVIEW SUMMARIES
(After each summary is the Truman Library reference number for the tape
recording of that interview. The tape recordings are available in the
Truman Library's audiovisual collection.)
Clifford, Clark
This interview covers Clifford's tenure as Special Counsel to the President
from 1946 to 1950. Topics discussed include foreign policy towards the
Soviet Union and Israel, and President Truman's politics and style while
in office.
SR99-15
Ferrell, Robert
Robert Ferrell, a Truman scholar, begins by discussing the use of the
atomic bomb. He addresses President Truman's feelings toward Britain and
Russia, and describes the differing views of Roosevelt and Truman regarding
China. The interview continues with discussion of the Truman Doctrine,
and concludes with an evaluation of Truman's place in history and how
Truman changed the course of American foreign policy.
SR99-14
Hiss, Alger
Alger Hiss shares his thoughts on the following aspects of the Truman
Presidency: Truman at the United Nations Conference in San Francisco;
the Cold War and Truman's attitude toward the Soviet Union; Truman's decision
to recognize the state of Israel and his conflict with State Department
officials who were opponents of recognition; Truman's loyalty program
for employees of the federal government; and his views regarding the Hiss
case.
SR99-10
Jenkins, Roy
In this interview, the Right Honorable Roy Jenkins presents his personal
assessment of President Truman, and comments on Truman's impact on the
world of his time. He also discusses the Marshall Plan, the Berlin Blockade,
and the possible impetuosity of some of Truman's decisions.
SR99-17
Nitze, Paul
Paul Nitze, U. S. State Department official during the Truman years, discusses
his role in the Strategic Bombing Survey. He also talks about the Marshall
Plan, the economic revival of Europe, and U.S. aid to Japan. The interview
concludes with a discussion of the world economy and foreign policy during the postwar years.
SR99-19
Pogue, Forrest
Forrest Pogue discusses President Truman's decision to send General George
C. Marshall to mediate between Chinese communists and nationalists, Marshall's
appointments as Secretary of State and as Secretary of Defense, and Marshall's
close working relationship with Truman dating back to Truman's days as
a U.S. Senator. Pogue also discusses the Marshall Plan and the removal
of General MacArthur.
SR99-3
Rosenberg, David
Rosenberg discusses President Truman's reliance (or lack of reliance)
upon atomic weapons as a deterrent to aggression by the Soviet Union,
Truman's thoughts on using atomic weapons in Korea, and his decision to
go ahead with research and development of the hydrogen bomb.
SR99-4
Rusk, Dean
Rusk shares his memories of various aspects of the Truman Presidency.
Highlighted topics include a comparison of the presidential styles of
Truman, Kennedy, and Johnson; American policy toward Palestine; the Soviet
response to American demobilization after World War II; collective security;
Truman's decision to cross the 38th parallel during the Korean War; the
relief of General MacArthur; and Truman's place in modern American history.
Also included is discussion of the importance of Europe and Asia to the
United States, and Truman's feelings toward Japan, the People's Republic
of China, and the Soviet Union.
SR99-9
Sherwin, Martin
Martin Sherwin discusses the use of the atomic bomb in August, 1945. He
talks about why the bomb was used against Japan and how this decision
affected postwar relations between the United States and the Soviet Union.
SR99-11
Wright, Sir Oliver
Sir Oliver Wright, British ambassador to the U.S., discusses American
policy towards Great Britain after World War II, American conduct of the
Korean War, and President Truman's most important decisions.
SR99-18
Yergin, Daniel
Yergin is asked why the atomic bomb was used and what effect it had on
Soviet-American relations. A few questions about Germany, Israel, Korea,
and U.S. national security are also addressed.
SR99-13
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