ePub Ulysses S. Grant : Memoirs and Selected Letters : Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant / Selected Letters; 1839-1865 (Library of America) by Ulysses S. Grant in History

Review

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Shockingly good autobiography. I had read that this was the ...By WSV1975Shockingly good autobiography. I had read that this was the standard for autobiographies of great men; and I would have to agree. I have read well over a hundred biographies; but this is clear; concise; educational; interesting; compelling; and understandable. He really does a good job and pulls no punches for himself nor his associates; but he was gracious in tone; and factual in delivery. It probably helped that Mark Twain helped edit the book; but still given that he was writing as he was dying of throat cancer; it is quite an achievement. One plus I did not really expect was the description of the Mexican American war; and the fact that the addition of so much territory was the imputes for the Civil war. I had read much Civil War stuff previously; and perhaps that helped me understand the story. I recommend reading Winston Grooms three book trilogy on the Western Civil war prior to reading this. If you do; you will feel like you know the Grant that is writing.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. But the History series for any professional ...or college student...or your children.By Redoubt RangerI love the entire series of history books by the Library of America. I have almost all of them. A great set to give to a young person to start their professional reading library. What our schools do not teach this series of books will cover...Grant; Lincoln; Washington and yes...even Sherman...all have stories to teach you how to be a better leader....either from their successes or their failures.1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. Ulysses S. Grant : Memoirs and Selected Letters : Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant / Selected Letters; 1839-1865By Just A BuyerI learned of a General Grant who was far different than I had thought. I believe he wrote an honest view of himself and others. One thing that impressed me is not only did he fight he had a broad understanding of what was needed to win the war in the West and East. I've always known he was a good General but now rate him as a Great General. In the East he was highly respected by his men who cheered him after The Battle of The Wilderness when he headed South after Lees' Army. It had been a terrible fight but they cheered him. Why?? Because they had realized Lee must be defeated to win and the only way to do that was not to withdraw but pursue him. Grant was the first Northern General not to withdraw after a battle and they recognized Grant meant to win and knew how too. They never fought harder for any General than him. He was a great judge of other Commanders and didn't put himself above other sucessful ones; giving them credit for their actions. One simple thing he wrote impressed me; "Many thought Robert E Lee couldn't be defeated. But I knew Lee." It hit me like a ton of bricks that this man was not afraid of Lee. Later after defeating him he did show respect and compassion for him and his men. His Memoirs made me take a deeper look at this man. I when young remembered him being called a "Butcher". Reading another book about him I learned Grant lost a total of only 15% of his federal troops in 4 years; approx. 94;000 killed or wounded. While Robert E. Lee lost 20% of his men or approx 121;000 killed or wounded which was far more than any Civil war General. With Lee losing 80;000 in killed and wounded in his first fourteen months of Command and that equaled the number he had started with originally. Those facts changed my view of U.S. Grant. I would recommend his Memoirs to anyone interested in the Civil War and feel this is one of the most honest; informative books ever written by anyone directly involved. I recommend it to anyone wanting to see an honest view of the Civil war. One thing I would add is I have a paperback copy of the memoirs and also this hardback by Library of America which contains Selected letters written by Grant also. I really like this copy better not only because of the letters but it's written on finer paper; printed clearly; smaller book but very easy to read; and reminds me of a time when the written word was valued more than it appears to be today. It kind of transports me back to that time. Just a personal thing for an old guy but maybe others will understand that too.