THE JOURNALS OF DAVID E. LILIENTHAL; Vol. I: THE TVA YEARS, 1939-45; Vol. II: THE ATOMIC ENERGY YEARS, 1945-50

by David E. Lilienthal ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 7, 1964

These first two volumes of a projected four volume publishing project demand courage and vision from the publisher. While they are certain to be treated with respect in recognition of the immense achievement of the man and his work, they rate, too, critical acceptance for the quality of the writing, the vividness with which these years are captured, the importance of the revelations of what went on behind the scenes. Their permanent historic value lies in the record -- on the spot--of the development of the world renowned TVA, which David Lilienthal served throughout the years as the driving force and, subsequently, as chairman, the butt of criticism and attack; and vital years of the Atomic Energy Commission. The journals stand as written: often later entries will indicate a change of opinion on men and issues, but Lilienthal's basic honesty, integrity, courage do not change. Labor, the role of big business, Lilienthal's determination to keep first TVA, then the Atomic Energy a part of the national trust, not the tool of private industry--all this one follows with intense interest and concern. Through the New Deal, then under the Truman Administration, Lilienthal battled for his goals--and won. Volume I -THE TVA YEARS -is perhaps more absorbing, less concerned with closeups of committee problems, the shuttling back and forth in the interest of public relations, so integral to THE ATOMIC ENERGY YEARS. The journals themselves not only unfold panels of our changing times; they trace roots of our national philosophy and its direction which circumstances made inevitable. They introduce to the reader the people who laid down the paths--and most intimately, invite the reader to know the journalist, a man who dedicated a major portion of his adult life to the cause of public service. When he began the habit of keeping a journal in high school, he did it to sort out impressions, examine his own thinking, clarify his emotional responses. This continued throughout the years when, in shorthand, he jotted down facts, names, events in which he was concerned, with occasional passages of revealing self criticism. One comes to know a good deal of his personal life--his devotion to his family, the growing up of his son and daughter, the love, and cooperation that exists between him and his wife. The Lilienthal homes, gardens and the beauties of natural surroundings to which he never failed to respond are all here as well as his activities and the illnesses that plagued him--but never stopped him in his drive towards the goals he had set. One senses his magnetism, while recognizing his ambition and self-confessed satisfaction--which some will term ego. The journals display his ability to stand up under the lash of vitriolic attacks through his public career--his acceptance of his role despite its penalties in public opprobrium and a constant awareness of financial strain and insecurity for the family's economic future. The journals are introduced by Henry Steele Commager, who states: ""This is not history but the stuff of which history is made.

Pub Date: Oct. 7, 1964

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Harper & Row

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Oct. 1, 1964

Categories: NONFICTION