BERNARD BARUCH

Deceptively simple in style and presentation, here is the life story of an outstanding figure in national and world politics,- speculator, Wall Street financier, advisor to successive Presidents, statesman and first and last patriot, Bernard Baruch. The biographer shows this fabulous man in every phase, now an direct narrative in more or less chronological record, now through the achievements by which he built his reputation. At 80, Baruch is a potent figure, forcing Congress to take note of the steps he urges to safeguard our economy. As head of an atomic commission, he charted world policies to ensure our national survival. One sees him as an elder statesman, great in stature; as a human being in relation to his family, his friends, his associates; as financial genius, compartmentalizing those facets of his life. Unfortunately, the author, in his zeal for building Baruch's stature does it at times at the expense of men who have also made their contribution to their country's welfare. A short book- but a good portrait of a great American.