NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the author of A. Lincoln, a major new biography of one of America’s greatest generals—and most misunderstood presidentsWinner of the William Henry Seward Award for Excellence in Civil War Biography • Finalist for the Gilder-Lehrman Military History Book Prize In his time, Ulysses S. Grant was routinely grouped with George Washington and Abraham Lincoln in the … George Washington and Abraham Lincoln in the “Trinity of Great American Leaders.” But the battlefield commander–turned–commander-in-chief fell out of favor in the twentieth century. In American Ulysses, Ronald C. White argues that we need to once more revise our estimates of him in the twenty-first.
Based on seven years of research with primary documents—some of them never examined by previous Grant scholars—this is destined to become the Grant biography of our time. White, a biographer exceptionally skilled at writing momentous history from the inside out, shows Grant to be a generous, curious, introspective man and leader—a willing delegator with a natural gift for managing the rampaging egos of his fellow officers. His wife, Julia Dent Grant, long marginalized in the historic record, emerges in her own right as a spirited and influential partner.
Grant was not only a brilliant general but also a passionate defender of equal rights in post-Civil War America. After winning election to the White House in 1868, he used the power of the federal government to battle the Ku Klux Klan. He was the first president to state that the government’s policy toward American Indians was immoral, and the first ex-president to embark on a world tour, and he cemented his reputation for courage by racing against death to complete his Personal Memoirs. Published by Mark Twain, it is widely considered to be the greatest autobiography by an American leader, but its place in Grant’s life story has never been fully explored—until now.
One of those rare books that successfully recast our impression of an iconic historical figure, American Ulysses gives us a finely honed, three-dimensional portrait of Grant the man—husband, father, leader, writer—that should set the standard by which all future biographies of him will be measured.
Praise for American Ulysses
“[Ronald C. White] portrays a deeply introspective man of ideals, a man of measured thought and careful action who found himself in the crosshairs of American history at its most crucial moment.”—USA Today
“White delineates Grant’s virtues better than any author before. . . . By the end, readers will see how fortunate the nation was that Grant went into the world—to save the Union, to lead it and, on his deathbed, to write one of the finest memoirs in all of American letters.”—The New York Times Book Review
“Ronald White has restored Ulysses S. Grant to his proper place in history with a biography whose breadth and tone suit the man perfectly. Like Grant himself, this book will have staying power.”—The Wall Street Journal
“Magisterial . . . Grant’s esteem in the eyes of historians has increased significantly in the last generation. . . . [American Ulysses] is the newest heavyweight champion in this movement.”—The Boston Globe
“Superb . . . illuminating, inspiring and deeply moving.”—Chicago Tribune
“In this sympathetic, rigorously sourced biography, White . . . conveys the essence of Grant the man and Grant the warrior.”—Newsday
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In rankings of U.S. presidents, Ulysses Grant typically finishes at or near the bottom. Most contemporary historians have little use for the Civil War general who served in the White House from 1869 to 1877.
In downgrading the eighteenth president, many point to the scandals that rocked his second term. Others cite Grant’s hands-off leadership style. A few draw inordinate attention to his personal failings.
Ronald C. White is not among them. In American Ulysses: A Life of Ulysses S. Grant, the author gives us a man that modern historians and scholars, often driven by modern biases, tend to overlook.
To be sure, White, the New York Times-bestselling author, does not sweep Gilded Age corruption under the rug. He describes the unethical behavior and influence peddling that occurred under Grant’s watch in great detail, but he does so in a way that exonerates the two-term chief executive of everything but misplaced trust.
White’s Grant is a study in contrasts: a fierce, dogged warrior who loathed violence; an inarticulate speaker who was an eloquent writer; a man who hated conflict and controversy but invited both as a champion of newly freed slaves, Native Americans, and women.
The Grant is this thoughtful work is also a compelling figure: a boy who favored reading books over hunting animals, a young soldier who fought loneliness when separated from his bride, and a poor man who struggled most of his life to make an adequate living.
In short, White fills the gaps left by all too many texts and history books. I recommend American Ulysses to anyone who loves history, underdogs, and new takes on old subjects.
I have long been interested in U.S. Civil War History. Over time I became more and more interested in Ulysses Grant and perplexed by the contrast between his meteoric rise to fame during the war years, and his current standing as one of the worst presidents in United States history. In reading this book I gained a much better understanding of his life as a whole, and especially his post Civil War years. I believe I have a more complete picture and understanding of him, thanks to American Ulysses. It was well worth the read.
Great book with historical context that actually humanized Grant more. Thoroughly enjoyed it!
Outstanding look at a key US leader during the civil war
But also goes into his pre and post civil war life
In
Sightful
I learned so much about Grant.
History they didn’t teach you in school
A well written book. It is a little long in places but it shows the real struggles of 19th Century wars and politics
Great insight into President Grant. It dispelled some of the myths about his character and shed light on many events of the civil war and its aftermath.
Well research and deep understanding of the subject matter. This is a great example of modern research of Grant that covers the life realistically. Does a great job in telling the researched truth versus the myths of Grant so heavily created following revisionist writings in the attempts to romanticize the Confederacy. Strongly recommend to history buffs to look at the subject with honest and researched eyes.
In depth Analysis of one of our greatest military leaders turned President.
Grant is not adequately appreciated. He adapted his considerable talents as he gained experience as a soldier and took to heart Lincoln’s view of Reconstruction as a President.
Always enjoy getting a lot at historical figures.
I expected this book to be a dull history. It was not! It is scholarly but easy to read and author White added maps so the reader can place the action. Brilliant!
The book was very interesting about a man with whom I knew very little, but what I did learn was often ran counter to my previous image. General Grant has character and humanity. The book was very easy to read about his fascinating and eventful life.
well written and researched
I enjoyed this book for the original information that I was nor aware of in his life.
I enjoyed this book about an often misunderstood historical figure. It is well written and researched. I appreciate the way the author destroys the caricature of Grant as a drunk and introduces the intelligent and hard working family man torn between the conscientious soldier and husband/father. I would think this is a must read for any person interested in Civil war era history.