Winner of the Pulitzer Prize. The seminal biography of one of America's towering, enigmatic figures. From his boyhood in Ohio to the battlef...
read full description
reviews
Apr 08, 2008
Joe
rated it: 
So, I finally finished this book on Ulysses S. Grant that I got for Christmas. Damn, who knew this would be such an exhaustive read. Needless to say this book was very, very, very thorough.
Here's what I learned...here's this guy U.S. Grant from Ohio, he goes to West Point, fights in the Spanish American War, fairly standard stuff – some interesting perspective on Mexico and our countries actions in that war.
Than he goes back home, to Galena, IL, where for at least ten y More...
Here's what I learned...here's this guy U.S. Grant from Ohio, he goes to West Point, fights in the Spanish American War, fairly standard stuff – some interesting perspective on Mexico and our countries actions in that war.
Than he goes back home, to Galena, IL, where for at least ten y More...
3 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Mar 29, 2010
Christine
rated it:
I wanted to like Grant. Actually, before reading this book, I'm pretty sure that I did like him in a vague way. I knew only that he had been the savior of the Civil War, and that seemed like something we should be into. But then...it turns out....that he didn't actually get into the Civil War because he believed in the cause, but because he wanted a job because he sucked at everything else. Oh, and the fact the he pretty much didn't learn jack from being the world's awesomest general and ins
More...
Apr 23, 2009
Alan
rated it:
McFeely comments that “once more, Ulysses Grant did not get quite to the top” while describing a hike Ulysses S. Grant and his entourage took while on tour in Italy (465). The “once again” is undefined but seems a curious comment to make for the Union’s top General in the Civil War who went on to serve two terms as United States President. Reflecting on Grant’s life, it seems that rather than not rising high enough, he rose a bit too high. While unquestionably a competent military commander, Gra
More...
Feb 09, 2012
Jerry
rated it: 
Though I didn't always agree with him or with his policies, I have to admit that at numerous times while reading this book, I would exclaim aloud, "Poor Grant!" In some ways, Grant seems like the original hard luck kid. Though ultimately a well-known figure in American history, Grant could also have easily ended up as barely a footnote if that in our national story. McFeely does an excellent job of taking the reader through Grant's life, providing a description of the times and events
More...
Dec 31, 2010
Peter
rated it:
This was an excellently written biography. Of the Presidential biographies I've read so far, this one was the best. McFeely is neither for or against Grant and he portrays him as a person with faults that anyone can relate too. He had a drinking problem, did not understand finances, desired to be in the limelight, and was too trusting. On the other hand he understood the purpose of war better than any of his other contemporaries, which along with his ability to organize, allowed him to be (o
More...
Dec 08, 2010
Mark
rated it: 
An even handed study of the man as a man.A little light on contemporaneous events and how they impacted and affected him.
May 13, 2008
Kelley
rated it:
The author speaks highly of Grant as a military commander, fully grasping the military and political implications of the American Civil War. The author has a very low opinion of Grant as a politician and President of the United States; feeling that Grant was too expedient in his political decisions and too concerned with loosing popularity to make the difficult decisions concerning Reconstruction, the Indian Wars, and race relations. Ultimately McFeely feels that Grant had to become President
More...
Sep 05, 2011
Matt
rated it:
The author makes some interesting observations about Grant -- such as his need to be seen as a success -- but he doesn't know how to tell a story. There's no flow, just a jumble of observations that don't always connect. The transitions are so indirect that it takes a while for the reader to realize he's delving into a new subject. And for someone who led as dramatic a life as Grant did, there's absolutely no emotion in the writing. The author's prose is extremely dry.
Dec 16, 2009
JD
rated it:
Very good study on the incredibly strong yet low key personality that won the civil war. No one else could do it. Others had their chance and lost the psychological war. It's proof that God uses circumstances outside your current understanding to form you for something larger headed your way, that you can't yet see, and that only you, now so formed, can overcome. Have trust that you are being prepared no matter how things seem at the moment to you.
Feb 06, 2012
Sean
rated it:
This is not just the best Grant biography, but the best biography I have ever read. Sometimes McFeely falls into making opaque conclusions and psychological suggestions, but he avoids the the twin biographers trap of falling in love with or despising his subject. He remains fair, pointing out Grant's successes and strengths along with his failures and personality defects. It also helps that this book reads like a novel.
Jul 30, 2010
Sal
rated it:
the horse sense of grant, how could he be so masterful as a general and such a failure as president? did he abandon the instincts that served him so well during war? you'll have to read it to find out and decide for yourself.
Feb 18, 2008
Stuart
rated it:
I enjoyed the hell out of this book. Then I read some reviews that claim the book is riddled with factual errors. So I guess I wouldn't recommend it but...I did like it.
Feb 22, 2012
Feb 20, 2012
Feb 15, 2012
Feb 14, 2012
Feb 14, 2012
Feb 13, 2012
Feb 10, 2012
Feb 09, 2012
Feb 01, 2012
Jan 16, 2012
