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Customer Reviews (79)

A detailed acccount of the CW and the man who led the armies that won it.
After reading Grant's memoirs, I think I've come to admire him as much or more than Lee.The memoirs helped me to see and appreciate Grant's unassuming, unflappable, pragmatic, methodical style... a style that is reflected in his writing as well as his life.The memoirs are not overly dramatic, self-serving, or glowing in praise.Instead, they are detailed, rather unemotional, and methodical.In my view, Grant's matter-of-fact style in recounting his life and the battles in the Mexican and Civil Wars heightened the interest of the book.

Scattered throughout the book were glimpses into Grant's personality.He didn't politic for his position, rather, he did his best and let the results speak for him. Not a bad code to live by.As a leader, he listened to his generals then made the decisions. He proudly declared early in the book that he didn't hold war councils.In my reading of other CW commanders who held war councils, the councils often seemed to be ways of passing responsibility for the outcome of the battle to others.Grant kept that responsibility to himself, (IMO) as leaders should do.Also, Grant is very reticent to criticize those he talks about (which may be why he rarely mentions McClellan and skims over his relationship with Halleck), probably because Grant had been so often on the receiving end of unjust criticism.Still, towards the end of the book, he manages to give an honest assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of his key generals.

Those who want to understand Grant's thinking on the many battles he commanded will find a trove of information to add to their knowledge.Unfortunately, there was a total lack of maps in the Kindle version of the book.This means that unless you are intimately familiar with the terrain and geography on which the battles were fought, you'll probably often be lost trying to follow all the detailed descriptions of troop movements and battle plans.As an amateur historian who prefers the more sweeping view of events instead of the greater detail of troop placements and movement orders, the insights into Grant's thinking, his assessment of the men and events, and the ability to better understand who Grant was as a man, made his memoirs especially valuable to me.I think this is an essential book for those wishing to gain a deeper understanding of the CW.

(As an aside, the nearly psychic understanding between Grant and Sherman was striking.Jackson always seemed to be reading Grant's mind and anticipating Grant's orders perfectly.Grant had nearly absolute confidence in Sherman.This resembles, IMO, the relationship between Lee and 'Stonewall' Jackson.While Grant had Sherman throughout the war, Lee lost Jackson just prior to Gettysburg.Lee never again found someone he could simply point in the general direction of the enemy and with a minimum of orders know that his ideas would be implemented as masterfully as could be done.Had the situation been reversed and Grant had lost Sherman while Lee still had Jackson, I wonder how things would have ended.)

The Heart of a Man
U.S. Grant is often viewed as the hero of the Civil War.In many ways, his heroic leadership did bring hostilities to an end. But this book of his personal memoirs is simply superb.For a military leader, Grant writes with tenderness and strong opinions about the United States' role in taking Texas away from Mexico.He shows the heart of a man who wanted to see men go back home to wives and children.He laughs, he loves, he weeps.The style of the books is a fast read (well, fast for 500 pages!), but it moves along.While it does a great job on history, Grant is not bashful about putting in his view and commentaries on the actions of other leaders, his insight in leadership, his love for the people of all races, and his hatred for death. While his legacy stands side-by-side with Lincoln, for many people in the American west (especially the Mexican people) he was a man that was not to be feared.When a town was taken over, the people ran in fear, but only to come back, open their doors, shops, and windows, and welcome the kindness of a general who simply learned to live among other cultures and people.In the end, you are left with the picture of man, not a General. It gives the reader great hope that our jobs and tasks do not define us--our hearts define us.

Enthralling!
It's interesting to know what men of noteworthiness think during great challenges, but we must not forget that Grant was a failure many times over - both before and after the War Between the States. A drunk, a failure at business - but finaaly, a leader who followed Lincoln's orders. What the previous generals failed to do, Grant did it and changed history. A unique man and a unique leader in American history...

Grant the Leader
I've always been a Lincoln fan and have read a lot of biographies and other things about him but have not had too much interest in the military history of the Civil War.I certainly know enough to get by with someone who does know more but only as happenstance in reading about Lincoln. I actually don't know why I bought the Grant book because I rarely buy biographies or autobiographies and certainly not by Civil War generals.I think I had read that Grant was a very good writer, like Lincoln, and that it is considered amongst the best autobiographies by a military person since Julius Caesar.Also, and this intrigued me for some reason, I'd read that one of the reasons given for Grant's success was his ability to "on the fly" write out clear, succinct orders on the battlefield that his generals or subordinates could follow and win.In the book a good number of these Orders are re-produced and I'd swear that if I had a map and knew how to move military units around I could follow his orders, they are that clear.

Anyway, I picked up the Grant book and I thought it was absolutely fascinating.He IS a very good writer and his analysis of what happened during the Civil War (and the Mexican War before it) is really fascinating.I think it is the first "primary source" (e.g. a participant in the history writing about it)that I've ever read.What I found most fascinating were his character sketches of the Union generals and of his Confederate opponents.One of the many things he said that struck me is that it is very easy in war for an army or a general to become over-awed by the reputation of the enemy or its generals.But because he had gone to West Point and fought alongside (even if very indirectly) almost all the Confederate generals, including Lee, he knew they were human beings and good as they were could make mistakes and be fooled.The other thing was his relationship to General Sherman as compared to the other Union generals.With Sherman, his orders were always general, focused on the goal.He left it to Sherman how he went about accomplishing the goal.Almost every other General received explicit orders from Grant with clear and specific tasks they needed to accomplish.Sherman, for his part, knew he had the total trust of Grant but never presumed upon it, he always ran his plans by Grant first and Grant willingly would do what he needed to do from his end to help Sherman succeed. His opinion of Lee was very high and he worked hard to move fast against Lee because he knew Lee could get himself out of jams if given half a chance.

That is the other thing about Grant - the thing he hated most was not jumping on opportunities to push the enemy when they came available.My impression was that that was the most unpardonable sin in his book, he would tolerate just about anything else.It was also what Lincoln valued most in him.I'd read this elsewhere but Grant confirmed it that Lincoln stated upfront that he did not know how to fight a war but his job was to do whatever Grant needed him to do to help Grant win.Finally, I learned a lot about the battles in the West that I had not known before.As Grant noted, the West was important but still a back-water theatre compared to the Army of Northern Virginia and the Army of the Potomac.I had not realised how "Eastern biased" most of the books I'd read about the Civil War were until I read Grant's book.

Best Memoirs Ever
This book is simply brilliant.Perhaps the best insite into the American Civil War.A must read for history buffs.Read and learn how smart and savy U.S. Grant really was. ... Read more

Product Description
Historians have traditionally drawn distinctions between Ulysses S. Grant's military and political careers. In Let Us Have Peace, Brooks Simpson questions such distinctions and offers a new understanding of this often enigmatic leader. He argues that during the 1860s Grant was both soldier and politician, for military and civil policy were inevitably intertwined during the Civil War and Reconstruction era.

According to Simpson, Grant instinctively understood that war was 'politics by other means.' Moreover, he realized that civil wars presented special challenges: reconciliation, not conquest, was the Union's ultimate goal. And in peace, Grant sought to secure what had been won in war, stepping in to assume a more active role in policymaking when the intransigence of white Southerners and the obstructionist behavior of President Andrew Johnson threatened to spoil the fruits of Northern victory. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A Story Unknown to Many
Most high school history classes skip over Reconstruction completely, leaving a gap normally filled by myth perpetuated by charlatans with a political agenda.Bruce Catton's completion of the Grant biography Lloyd Lewis began ended at the close of the Civil War.Most people who read about Grant never read about Grant between the Civil War and his presidency, and they assume Grant knew nothing about politics when he entered the White House in 1869.This book counters that misinterpretation.Simpson shows us clearly that Grant understood politics.He kept himself informed on political issues for most of his life, and as a general officer deftly treaded through several political minefields throughout the war.After the war he became even more involved in politics with his resistance of Andrew Johnson's attempts to make him a political pawn and his growing dismay over Johnson's mishandling of Reconstruction policy.Simpson shows an understanding of Grant's attitudes toward African-Americans that Grant's previous biographer, William S. McFeely sorely lacked.He brings to light Grant's attempts to protect the freedmen from violence and the efforts to resubjugate them by white Southerners and how Johnson moved to thwart Grant's efforts.This is an important contribution that fills a gap in understanding that many have.

An excellent book for the serious student of Reconstruction
As a person with some knowledge of the Civil War and Reconstruction, I found LET US HAVE PEACE extremely well written, very readable and highly informative.However, I do not believe that it is for the casual reader.The book deals with a very specific time and a very specific subject:Grant's transition from general to president.The author shows Grant's involvement in Recontruction and the peace process before the end of the war and during the Johnson administration. For example, I was unaware that Grant was secretary of war after the removal of Stanton and his role in the controvery over the Tenure in Office Act.The book gives an interesting view of Grant's role in the impeachment of President Johnson and shows the interworking of the relationship between Grant and other generals, espcially William T. Sherman. I found the chapter on the rise of Grant as a presidential candidate extremely interesting contradicitng the general consensu that he was an shoe in for the nomination.

The epilogue which is historiographic in nature was very helpful in terms of putting Simpson's thesis in context.

Once again, for the student who already has knowledge of the cast of characters and the interworkings of the politics of Reconstruction, this is a must read. It was also refreshing to read a book on Grant that avoids references to his drinking.As I recall there are three references in the entire book and they are well placed and put in proper context. ... Read more

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Presents a biography of Ulysses S. Grant ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A+++
In Venezia's skillful hands, even the most obscure people (in the minds of today's elementary school set) become quite interesting.All of Venezia's books are wonderful, and this one about Ulysses S. Grant is no exception.

Venezia uses a mix of lively text, interesting period art and photographs, and humorous graphic art (think comic strip) to tell the rather fascinating story of this famous American president, Civil War general, and respected author.

Venezia handles Grant's drinking issue sensitively, and does a great job of helping kids understand how Grant could make such good decisions as a general, and such dubious ones (mainly hiring his crooked friends) as a president.

All in all, my kids all came away with new appreciation and respect for U.S. Grant. ... Read more

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Woven through Perret's exploration of Grant as soldier and president is the author's portrait of the American hero as a person, including his frustrating studies at West Point and his days of poverty.Amazon.com Review
Ulysses S. Grant worked with Red Cloud, chief of the LakotaSioux, to create an arguably more humane Indian policy--"nopresident could have done more," argues Geoffrey Perret, whosereassessment of Grant as a politician is his biography's finestachievement. Not that he scants his subject's military genius; therelentless, aggressive campaigns that won the Civil War are skillfullyoutlined and analyzed. Grant emerges in this nuanced portrait as aquintessential American: he is depicted as a restless roverperpetually in search of "movement, drama, adventure."Firmly situated in his time, he nonetheless seems a strikingly modernman. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (47)

Poor, give it a wide berth
I cannot but agree wholeheartedly with all the perceptive reviewers who have given this book a low rating. Their arguments are right on the mark: the book is error ridden; it is obvious the author is no Civil War historian; it is superficial and why anyone would want to buy a book that is filled with mistakes is beyond me too. I made the mistake of not reading reviews before I purchased the book. Bad call! I have read a lot of books on the Civil War in general and US Grant in particular. To my mind, for anyone interested in Grant here's what you should read: Grant's own Personal Memoirs, Bruce Catton's works (Grant Moves South; Grant Takes Command and US Grant and the American Military Tradition) and JFC Fuller's masterful Grant & Lee: A Study in Generalship. With that you should be able to form a pretty balanced opinion on Grant. Sadly, recent scholarship has yet to produce a biography on Grant that comes even close to aforementioned works.

The best Grant bio out there
Bio's of Grant get no better than this fine book.A truly balanced book...a real rarity especially considering the plethora of Civil War trash available.

Ulyssis S Grant - a Soldier and President
I ordered the book for my husband.General Grant is one of his favorite military history figures.

Lee Couldn't Hold a Candle to Him
By far the finest field commander produced by the North or South during the US Civil War, US Grant saved the Union and delivered our country as we know it today. Reviled in the South as a butcher and thought of as a drunk in the North, Hiram Ulysses Grant is possibly the finest general ever produced by the United States of America, and one of its worst Presidents.

Geoffrey Perret pulls no punches in this biography. Grant failed in private life before re-entering the Army, and he says so; Grant failed in several of his early campaigns, Belmont for one, and was stunningly surprised at Shiloh, and he says so; and his Presidency was riddled with corruption, and again, Perret says so. But despite his many failures this tenacious, never-say-die individual had the backbone and determination to defeat every Confederate General he was to face and captured 3 complete Confederate Armies intact, in the field: Fort Donnelson, Vicksburg, and the vaunted Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox. And he damn near bagged Bragg in middle Tennessee. To put these accomplishments in perspective, no other General Officer, North or South, captured even one.

This is a good, workman-like biography of the first modern general the US ever produced. Perret does an excellent job of focusing on his subject, Grant, and does not spend too much time analyzing his campaigns. As a result, the author moves the reader topically through Grant's life experiences and we get to know him as an individual. Intensely interesting, this work's 476 pages simply fly by. Despite the 8 miserable years of his failed Presidency and his subsequent Wall Street bankruptcy, in true Grant fashion, he works diligently to complete his memoirs, does so and restores his family's fortune 8 days before he dies. His was a most remarkable life.

Good, workmanlike biography of U. S. Grant
He was born Hiram Ulysses Grant in 1822 (how he became Ulysses S. Grant is a story in itself).This book, by Geoffrey Perret, is a good workmanlike biography of Grant.

It depicts his childhood and his journey to West Point. It discusses his marriage to Julia (with James Longstreet and Cadmus Wilcox, ironically, as two of his three groomsmen; they would be on opposing sides in the Civil War). It describes his service in the military--including some genuinely courageous behavior in the Mexican War.It also lays out his failures in the Army and his departure.His struggles in Missouri and then working in a family business in Galena, Illinois.

Then, with the outbreak of the Civil War, his opportunity to rejoin the Army and become an officer.The book traces his unassuming rise in the Union Army, from early efforts at Belmont through Forts Henry and Donelson to Shiloh to Vicksburg and so on.Ultimately, of course, he came to command all Union forces and attained the exalted rank of Lieutenant General.

After his work in the Civil War, his presidency is discussed, warts and all.Perret's view is somewhat more nuanced than those of others who have evaluated Grant's terms as President.Nonetheless, his failings are described.

Finally, his desperate dash in the race against death to complete his memoirs and secure some degree of financial security for his family.

This is not a great biography, but it is serviceable and is a nice addition to the literature on Grant.
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Product Description
The American Civil War, as told by General Ulysses S Grant, who led the Union armies to victory against the Confederacy.- Original maps illustrate the battles of Shiloh, Vicksburg, The Wilderness, and the surrender at Appomattox.- With ten pages of photos. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Description didn't make clear it was only one of 2 volumes
Description didn't make clear it was only one of 2 volumes. Else everything was OK. Got the book in reasonable time and good condition.

The Autobiography of General Ulysses S Grant: Memoirs of the Civil War
My Husband thought it was a really great autobiography.He is really into the civil war.

good source for civil war history buffs
General Grant's firsthand accounts of the campaigns that won the Civil War.Grant discusses his strategy and tactics, accompanied by maps and detailed descriptions of his actions.An indispensable source for anyone who is interested in the history of the Civil War.

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Product Description
Ulysses S. Grant - General and President is the biography of Ulysses S. Grant, an American General and the eighteenth President of the United States (1869-1877). He achieved international fame as the leading Union General in the American Civil War. Named commanding General of the Federal armies in 1864, he implemented a coordinated strategy of simultaneous attacks aimed at destroying the South's ability to carry on the war. In 1865, after conducting a costly war of attrition in the East, he accepted the surrender of his Confederate opponent Robert E. Lee at Appomattox Court House. In 1868, Grant was elected President as a Republican. Grant was the first President to serve two full terms since Andrew Jackson forty years prior. Grant led Radical Reconstruction and built a powerful patronage-based Republican party in the South. Ulysses S. Grant - General and President is highly recommended for those interested in the history and story of this Civil War General and American President. ... Read more

Product Description
According to Wikipedia: "Ulysses S. Grant,[2] born Hiram Ulysses Grant (April 27, 1822 ? July 23, 1885), was an American general and the eighteenth President of the United States (1869?1877). He achieved international fame as the leading Union general in the American Civil War. Grant first reached national prominence by taking Forts Henry and Donelson in 1862 in the first Union victories of the war. The following year, his brilliant campaign ending in the surrender of Vicksburg secured Union control of the Mississippi and?with the simultaneous Union victory at Gettysburg?turned the tide of the war in the North's favor. Named commanding general of the Federal armies in 1864, he implemented a coordinated strategy of simultaneous attacks aimed at destroying the South's ability to carry on the war. In 1865, after conducting a costly war of attrition in the East, he accepted the surrender of his Confederate opponent Robert E. Lee at Appomattox Court House." ... Read more

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A fresh look at General Grant's military career in light of his conflicted personality and drinking habits.

In this new biography of General Ulysses S. Grant, acclaimed Civil War historian, Edward G. Longacre, examines Grant's early life and his military career for insights into his great battlefield successes as well as his personal misfortunes. Longacre concentrates on Grant'sboyhood and early married life; his moral, ethical, and religious views; his troubled military career; his strained relationships with wartime superiors; and, especially, his weakness for alcohol, which exerted a major influence on both his military and civilian careers. Longacre, to a degree that no other historian has done before, investigates Grant's alcoholism in light of his devout religious affiliations, and the role these sometimes conflicting forces had on his military career and conduct. Longacre's conclusions present a new and surprising perspective on the ever-fascinating life of General Grant. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Ends Too Soon
Having recently finished reading "Team of Rivals," my appetite was whetted for a follow up to the post Lincoln reconstruction era. I started with Johnson and was looking forward to continuing with a greater knowledge of our 18th president.

For an early history of Grant through the end of the Civil War, the "Soldier and the Man" provides a wonderful biography of Grant and most certainly explores his strengths and weaknesses. Actually, the weaknesses are so substantial, one wonders how this man could have been successful transitioning from a very unpolitical general to the highest political office in the United States.

Unfortunately for me, I will have to read another book on Grant to find out, as the books ends rather abruptly with the treaty at Appomattox. I will highly recommend the book if that's as far as you want to go in Grant's life. Had I been more careful in my selection, I would have opted for a "cradle to grave" rendition.

Good starting point for studies of Grant
A very good overview of Grant's early life thru to the end of the Civil War.Well balanced, points out both the strengths and weaknesses of the man.Dispells the myth of indifference attributed to Grant concerning casualties.Edward Longacre show's Grant's mistakes and how he learned from them.While other generals caved to political pressure, Grant worked to end the war inspite of criticizism and bad press. A soldier worthy of the stars he wore.At the same time it shows Grant's weakness for liquior that could have destroyed him and led to a longer war with a different outcome and continued losses.Not an indepth study, but deep enough to encourage the reader to find more information about the subject.A great starting point for the student of the Civil War interested in Grant. ... Read more

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One of the first two volumes in Harper's Eminent Lives series, Korda brings his acclaimed storytelling talents to the life of Ulysses S. Grant – a man who managed to end the Civil War on a note of grace, serve two terms as president, write one of the most successful military memoirs in American literature, and is today remembered as a brilliant general but a failed president.

Ulysses S. Grant was the first officer since George Washington to become a four–star general in the United States Army, and the only president between Andrew Jackson and Woodrow Wilson to serve eight consecutive years in the White House. In this succinct and vivid biography, Michael Korda considers Grant's character and reconciles the conflicting evaluations of his leadership abilities.

Grant's life played out as a true Horatio Alger story. Despite his humble background as the son of a tanner in Ohio, his lack of early success in the army, and assorted failed business ventures, his unwavering determination propelled him through the ranks of military leadership and into the presidency. But while the general's tenacity and steadfastness contributed to his success on the battlefield, it both aided and crippled his effectiveness in the White House.

Assessing Grant both within the context of his time and in contrast to more recent American leaders, Korda casts a benevolent eye on Grant's presidency while at the same time conceding his weaknesses. He suggests that though the general's second term ended in financial and political scandals, the fact remains that for eight years Grant exerted a calming influence on a country that had only just emerged from a horrendous civil war. Ulysses S. Grant is an even–handed and stirring portrait of a man who guided America through a pivotal juncture in its history.

Customer Reviews (25)

Needed a better proofreader
I lost interest in the book, and thought it lost all credibility, when three times on one page (p.62) the book referred to a General McClennan, instead of McClellan. Inexcusable for a major publisher.

U.S. Grant's short biography in the Eminent Lives Series is well done by author Michael Korda
Ulysses Simpson Grant (1822-1885) was the General who won the Civil War for the United States; served as president for two terms and wrote the best military memoir in American history. Grant was an incarnation of the Horatio Alger rags to riches tale come true! He was born to dour Jesse and Hannah Grant in southern Ohio; graduated from West Point; won glory in the Mexican War and was a horse whisperer superb who could handle horses to beat the band!
When the drums of the Civil War were first beating Grant and his adoring wife Julia Dent Grant (daughter of a Missouri slaveholding family) were living in obscurity in Galena, Illinois. Grant was clerking in his father's saddle and hostlery store. He was rescued from the shadows by Congressman Elisha Washburn of Illinois who got him an officer's commission in the war. Grant's star quickly ascended as he won crucial battles in the West including the captures of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson in Tennessee; Shiloh, Vicksburg, Missionary Ridge and Chattanooga. Grant was selected by Lincoln to be the General in Chief of the Army. He triumphed over Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia in the Overland Campaign through the Wilderness, Petersburg, the fall of Richmond and accepted Lee's surrender on April 9, 1865 at Appomattox Court House.
As President of the U.S. Grant's administration was burdened by scandals though he himself was personally honest. Following the White House, the Grants traveled for over two years through Europe and the Far East. Grant lostmost of his money by trusting crooked businessmen but recovered his family's honor and financial security by writing his Memoirs. This venture was supported by Mark Twain whose publshing company sold the Grant Memoirs.
Grant was a quiet man who was tough as nails. He never retraced his steps but strode forward to victory in the Civil War. He did have a drinking problem when he was lonely and Julia was not near. Grant is an American hero who served his country in peace and war.
Michael Korda is a skilled author who does a good job on Grant's life considering the space limitations for entries in the Eminent Lives series. Korda's little book is a good introduction to Grant and could well be used in school classes on American history.

Grant's Memoirs and The Holy Bible
I'm not surprised that Michael Korda's book on U.S. Grant is such a hit.It is beautifully researched, shows Korda's wonderfully broad knowledge of history and military history, and introduces us to the human side of Grant.I am not an historian and have always "bought the rap" that U.S. Grant was one of our worst presidents.Korda's book presents a very different picture of this misunderstood president.That Grant's Memoirs was the most popular book, next only to The Holy Bible, sold in the United States at the end of the 19th Century is a testament to his historical importance.I find Korda's writing studied, authentic, sincere, and germane.He resurrects a tarnished hero, links the past with the present, speaks to the current world situation, and does all of this in a clear, concise, and straight forward style and with a sense of humor.Michael Korda's U.S. Grant is a terrific read.

An excellent, if short, biography of America's eighteenth president
In this 2005 work, British author and historian Michael Korda turns his attention to that now nearly forgotten American Hero, Ulysses S. Grant. This biography is, in spite of its brevity, an excellent work on the general. It gives an excellent look into his history, and an excellent analysis of what he did and why.

This book was written as part of the Eminent Lives series, which explains its shortness. And, in fact, its shortness its part of its excellence. There are times when you wish to read 400+ pages on someone, and enjoy the depth of understanding such a book gives you. But, there are times when you want a biography that is short and to the point, and this book is for those times. I really enjoyed this book, and think that it is an excellent biography of America's eighteenth president. I don't hesitate to give it my highest recommendations!

The man who was Saved by the Civil War saves the Union.Great story, OK book
Jesse Grant had this kid who folks called "useless."Maybe the military can do something with him, the father thought.So he applied through his local congressional representative for his son (without the latter's knowledge, apparently) to go to America's military academy at West Point.The kid is accepted, to his father's relief, and arrives there in 1839.Upon graduation, being a most able horse handler, he requests a position in the US cavalry. This he is denied.He requests to teach math at the academy.This he is also denied and is assigned to the infantry.In 1854 while stationed in California he quits the army, tired of being separated from his wife and increasing number of children.Upon his exit he receives word of his promotion to captain.He is 32 years old, with a family and little money or other prospects.

Upon hearing this news his father writes the Secretary of War to get him reinstated.The Secretary, Jefferson Davis, says, in so many words, no chance. With few other options he begins work as a clerk in his father's harness shop tannery.Then events, history, interceded.

On April 15 1861 the news that Fort Sumter in South Carolina has been fired on by forces loyal to the south reaches the Grant's world in Galena, Illinois.2 days later the town has another town meeting to discuss recruitment of local troops"As the only man in town who was a graduate of West Point, Grant was asked to chair the meeting and did so."

Grant from his memoirs: "I never went into our leather store after that meeting, to put up a package or do other business."

Soon thereafter he was offered appointment as a captain of the Illinois volunteers.Having left the army as a captain Grant instead asked for higher rank.No answer was forthcoming.Even George McClelland's office ignored him.Finally he gets an appointment as a colonel of the volunteers and thence returns to Galena June 17.With no money for a uniform or equipment he waits until the kindness of a local merchant allows him to buy such on credit.

In 1630 Matthew and Priscilla Grant arrived in the American colonies from England.The Grant's thus had been in the Americas many generations, but thus far had not distinguished themselves above others.U.S. Grant would change all that with his determination to take his commission seriously, and do what Lincoln expected of his military men---attack southern forces with an eye toward defeating them so as to bring them back into the American fold.A number of Union officers either did not have Grant's mindset and/or didn't belong leading troops, particularly not against Robert E. Lee.But Grant was no carbon copy of Lee. "With Lee what you saw was what you got---he was proud, patrician officer, a beau sabreur, a born commander who expected to be obeyed.With Grant what you saw was what he wanted you to see---a plain, ordinary man with no pretensions to gentility or military glamour" (p. 8).But Grant was one who was determined to get the job done or go down trying.That he didn't go down trying and was successful against southern forces, including Lee's Army of Virginia, ultimately made him "the most admired American general since Washington" (p. 4).And even after an average to below average presidency the American public still purchased his war memoirs that they did no other book save the Good Book itself.Thanks to Mark Twain Grant received the then amazing advance of $25,000 to tell the story of `Unconditional Surrender' Grant.His 1885 memoirs then brought him the staggering sum of $450,000 in royalties.And that was with the book being sold door to door throughout the United States.Everyone knows he is on the fifty dollar bill, and thank God for that---otherwise how many Americans would know a thing about him, but few probably realize how popular he was in his day, second only to Lincoln.Grant, incidentally, was buried in what is now the second largest mausoleum in the western world. (Former US president John Garfield oddly has the largest.)This book ably introduces Grant and is thus just for those who know almost nothing about the man.Give this book some of your time if you are such a person and are interested in learning the basics of Grant's contributions to American history.His memoirs, of course, are available for those open to a thousand page personal examination of Grant's role in the American Civil War. (09Aug) Cheers
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An Excerpt from the book-

Your suffrages having elected me to the office of President of the
United States, I have, in conformity to the Constitution of our country,
taken the oath of office prescribed therein. I have taken this oath
without mental reservation and with the determination to do to the best
of my ability all that is required of me. The responsibilities of the
position I feel, but accept them without fear. The office has come to me
unsought; I commence its duties untrammeled. I bring to it a conscious
desire and determination to fill it to the best of my ability to the
satisfaction of the people.

On all leading questions agitating the public mind I will always express
my views to Congress and urge them according to my judgment, and when
I think it advisable will exercise the constitutional privilege of
interposing a veto to defeat measures which I oppose; but all laws will
be faithfully executed, whether they meet my approval or not.

I shall on all subjects have a policy to recommend, but none to enforce
against the will of the people. Laws are to govern all alike--those
opposed as well as those who favor them. I know no method to secure the
repeal of bad or obnoxious laws so effective as their stringent
execution.

The country having just emerged from a great rebellion, many
questions will come before it for settlement in the next four years
which preceding Administrations have never had to deal with. In meeting
these it is desirable that they should be approached calmly, without
prejudice, hate, or sectional pride, remembering that the greatest good
to the greatest number is the object to be attained.

This requires security of person, property, and free religious and
political opinion in every part of our common country, without regard
to local prejudice. All laws to secure these ends will receive my best
efforts for their enforcement.
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The Inaugural Speeches of the President - Ulysses S Grant ... Read more

Product Description
State of the Union Address by Ulysses S. Grant


Here it is, the State of the Union Address. Every president makes them.

Kids need a quick and easy school report, trying reading these in class.

Need a quote to spruce up any report or presentation then this is for you.


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Product Description
Ulysses S. Grant (born Hiram Ulysses Grant; April 27, 1822 to July 23, 1885) was the 18th President of the United States (1869 to 1877) as well as military commander during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction periods. Under Grant's command, the Union Army defeated the Confederate military and ended the Confederate States of America.

His personal memoirs include all the events of his life including the scandals during his presidency that somewhat tarnished him image as a war hero.

This is the second of the two volumes of Grant's personal memoirs, along with numerous actual photos of Grant and many of his personal notes.

These memoirs give us a direct glimpse into that time in our history that preceded, endured and followed the American Civil War. ... Read more

Product Description
Ulysses S. Grant (born Hiram Ulysses Grant; April 27, 1822 to July 23, 1885) was the 18th President of the United States (1869 to 1877) as well as military commander during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction periods. Under Grant's command, the Union Army defeated the Confederate military and ended the Confederate States of America.

His personal memoirs include all the events of his life including the scandals during his presidency that somewhat tarnished him image as a war hero.

This is the first of the two volumes of Grant's personal memoirs, along with numerous actual photos of Grant and many of his personal notes.

These memoirs give us a direct glimpse into that time in our history that preceded, endured and followed the American Civil War. ... Read more

Product Description
There has of late years been a tendency, as a result of the teachings of certain historical authorities, to minimize the influence of the leadership of the so-called Great Men, and to question the importance of their work as a factor in shaping the history of the time.
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Product Description
There has of late years been a tendency, as a result of the teachings of certain historical authorities, to minimize the influence of the leadership of the so-called Great Men, and to question the importance of their work as a factor in shaping the history of the time ... Read more

Product Description
There has of late years been a tendency, as a result of the teachings of certain historical authorities, to minimize the influence of the leadership of the so-called Great Men, and to question the importance of their work as a factor in shaping the history of the time. ... Read more

Product Description
There has of late years been a tendency, as a result of the teachings of certain historical authorities, to minimize the influence of the leadership of the so-called Great Men, and to question the importance of their work as a factor in shaping the history of the time. ... Read more

Product Description
Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant

"Man proposes and God disposes." There are but few important events in the
affairs of men brought about by their own choice.
Although frequently urged by friends to write my memoirs I had determined
never to do so, nor to write anything for publication. At the age of nearly sixty-
two I received an injury from a fall, which con¯ned me closely to the house
while it did not apparently affect my general health. This made study a pleasant
pastime. ... Read more