From New York Times bestselling author H. W. Brands, a masterful biography of the Civil War general and two-term president who saved the Union twice, on the battlefield and in the White House, holding the country together at two critical turning points in our history.Ulysses Grant rose from obscurity to discover he had a genius for battle, and he propelled the Union to victory in the Civil War. After Abraham Lincoln's assassination and the disastrous brief presidency of Andrew Johnson, America turned to Grant again to unite the country, this time as president. In Brands's sweeping, majestic full biography, Grant emerges as a heroic figure who was fearlessly on the side of right. He was a beloved commander in the field but willing to make the troop sacrifices necessary to win the war, even in the face of storms of criticism. He worked valiantly to protect the rights of freedmen in the South; Brands calls him the last presidential defender of black civil rights for nearly a century. He played it straight with the American Indians, allowing them to shape their own fate even as the realities of Manifest Destiny meant the end of their way of life. He was an enormously popular president whose memoirs were a huge bestseller; yet within decades of his death his reputation was in tatters, the victim of Southerners who resented his policies on Reconstruction. In this page-turning biography, Brands now reconsiders Grant's legacy and provides a compelling and intimate portrait of a man who saved the Union on the battlefield and consolidated that victory as a resolute and principled political leader.
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"I was fairly up to speed on my "Civil War" history but had very little knowledge of US Grant's early years or presidency. Most of what I knew was hearsay type evidence reflecting his reported drunkenness and corruption within his presidency. After reading his autobiography I realized that I might be misjudging the man. This led to reading this book which has bolstered my respect for the General." — Bill (5 out of 5 stars)
"I was fairly up to speed on my "Civil War" history but had very little knowledge of US Grant's early years or presidency. Most of what I knew was hearsay type evidence reflecting his reported drunkenness and corruption within his presidency. After reading his autobiography I realized that I might be misjudging the man. This led to reading this book which has bolstered my respect for the General."
" Interesting portrait of a man that I did not know much about. Much of the myth of Ulysses Grant was that of a crass, hard drinking man who was hard on everyone around him and himself. H.W. Brands has done his research on Grant and he provides some insight into this wartime genius who really never wanted the fame and glory let alone the Presidency. "
" Gave a straight forward look at the life of Grant. Described the difficulties in his life and how he succeeded as a General. Fairly easy reading. "
" I had read of Grant the General through all of my reading of the Civil War but didn't know much about Grant the President. For eight years he led the country through reconstruction and the continued struggle for the rights of the newly freed slaves. One of our most popular Presidents Grant could have served a third term if he elected to run! "
" Fantastic history about a man who should be honored more! "
" Very well written and a quite different view of Grant than any I had read previously. "
" war AND peace with grant "
" Well written and enjoyable to read. "
" The first part of the book, about Grant's time before/during the war was interesting. The part about his presidency was so-so. "
" Not Brands' greatest work, but a worthwhile read. Much is known about Grant's wartime exploits, but his presidency is often undervalued. Few presidents have done more for civil rights in America than Ulysses Grant. "
" Fascinating book on the civil war and US Grant. Loved every page. "
" Biography of my Civil War boyfriend "
" Good information but too long for the faint of heart (me.) "
" A good book on the civil war and Grant but not the best biography of Grant. "
" Mr. Brands is an excellent writer who makes his subject come alive for the reader. The book gives you a real feel fo the events that shaped not only the life of General Grant but the nation as well. It makes a real case for Grant being our greatest General. "
H. W. Brands has written more than a dozen biographies and histories, including the The General vs. the President, a New York Times bestseller. Two of his biographies, The First American and Traitor to His Class, were finalists for the Pulitzer Prize. He holds the Jack S. Blanton Sr. Chair in History at the University of Texas at Austin.
Stephen Hoye has worked as a professional actor in London and Los Angeles for more than thirty years. Trained at Boston University and the Guildhall in London, he has acted in television series and six feature films and has appeared in London’s West End. His audiobook narration has won him fifteen AudioFile Earphones Awards.
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