About two-thirds of the book covers the years of his presidency , 1945 to 1953 . Much of the material deals with Truman 's feelings about the political and military decisions he faced , such as the use of the atomic bomb . ( " It seems to be the most terrible thing ever discovered , but it can be made the most useful . " ) These include his assessments of other world leaders including Joseph Stalin ( " I liked the little son of a bitch " ) and Winston Churchill . The book also includes previously unpublished writing by Truman on the 1945 Potsdam Conference , when Truman , Stalin and Churchill met to discuss the postwar world order . Truman writes about domestic politics as well , such as his early support and later disappointment with Adlai Stevenson 's 1952 presidential candidacy , and a terse apology to Dwight Eisenhower over foreign-policy disagreements . ( " I am extremely sorry that you have allowed a bunch of screwballs to come between us . " ) The book also includes Truman 's thoughts on more private and personal matters , such as the deaths of his mother in 1947 and mother-in-law in 1952 . Response to the book was mostly positive . Yale professor Gaddis Smith , writing in the magazine '' Foreign Affairs '' , called the book " readable and refreshing " and said it " adds many delightful details " to the conventional understanding of Truman . Joseph Anthony Imler , in the '' Wisconsin Magazine of History '' , called the book " a pleasure to read " which showcases Truman 's " skill as a political strategist " and his common touch . Writing in '' The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society '' , John M. Carroll said the book highlighted Truman 's " famous temper , biting sarcasm , and considerable wit . " He praised Ferrell 's work in compiling and editing Truman 's writings , which he said " reveal a warm and kindly man " who loved his family and felt ambivalent about politics . " He was at times overwhelmed by the burdens of the presidency , yet seemed to revel in the struggles and challenges it posed for him . " Barry D. Karl , in '' The American Historical Review '' , said that although " not designed and edited with a scholarly audience in mind , " Ferrell 's commentary was " lively , partisan , and generally helpful to those who do not know the period , " and that the book " adds a great deal to our understanding of the personality of the man who succeeded the complex FDR . " Conversely , University of Massachusetts professor Robert Griffith , writing in '' Reviews in American History '' , called the book " highly disappointing " and that Ferrell 's choice of which material to include ignored " sources that might suggest a darker side to Truman 's personality and character . "
Potsdam Conference
Potsdam Conference
Off the Record: The Private Papers of Harry S. Truman