David Rothenberg's Reviews

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Though Zachary Karabell's THE LAST CAMPAIGN lacks suspense (since most of us know that Harry Truman defeated Tom Dewey in the 1948 presidential election), the book does have enough political nuggets to satisfy a political groupie such as myself.

Not the least of my favorite anecdotes in THE LAST CAMPAIGN (sub-titled "How Harry Truman Won the 1948 Election," and published by Knopf) is a memo sent to the GOP candidate from a Wall Street supporter named Edward Hutton. Hutton warned Dewey to descend from " the high level of constructive platitudes and reach the people in language and word which bounce along the sidewalk." As Karabell postscripts, "E.F. Hutton spoke, but no one listened".

In addition, Mr. Karabell gives appropriate attention to the formidable candidacies of Henry Wallace on the Progressive ticket and the States Rights' Strom Thurmond, who it appears was once young, and a Governor of South Carolina before his endless Senatorial reign. And among the State Rights crowd, Thurmond was a moderate.

Wallace evoked great emotions, pro and con; was pelted with eggs and vegetables during his campaign. It is also interesting to learn how disorganized and incompetent the States Rights slate was. We often forget that the right wing suffers from the same self-destructive qualities that infects progressive movements. They, too, quibbled over money, personalities and strategies.

Yes, Harry Truman's plain talking squelched the dreams and predictions of the Chicago Tribune, Westbrook Pegler and Henry Luce, all convinced that the man at the top of the wedding cake would be president.

Mr. Karabell's THE LAST CAMPAIGN might be described as popular history, accessible to those who need an introduction to America's recent political past. And for that we should be appreciative.

Mr. Karabell's final chapter includes some insights on the miscalculations of the press, in addition to the pollsters. It might be a cautionary guide to the smug reporters currently on the political trail.

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