The wild, combative inside story of the most stunning upset in the history of presidential elections: Harry Truman's 1948 victory over Tom Dewey.

'Outstanding. . . . by far the best yet about the fateful [1948] election.' ―Minneapolis Star-Tribune

'Coherent, compelling. . . . A skillful, authoritative investigation.' ―Kirkus Reviews

Award-winning historian David Pietrusza unpacks the most ingloriously iconic headline in the history of presidential elections―DEWEY DEFEATS TRUMAN―to reveal the 1948 campaign's backstage events and recount the down-to-the-wire brawl fought against the background of an erupting Cold War, the Berlin Airlift, the birth of Israel, and a post-war America facing exploding storms over civil rights and domestic communism.

'A terrific book. . . . a must-read.' ―Ron Faucheux, former editor-in-chief, Campaigns & Elections magazine

'David Pietrusza brilliantly portrays President Harry Truman's successful efforts to stave off the challenge of New York Gov. Tom Dewey, who was making a repeat bid as the Republican nominee.' ―David Mark, journalist, political analyst, and author of Going Dirty: The Art of Negative Campaigning

'Sweeping . . . compelling.' ―Library Journal