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The #1 bestselling author and Fox News Channel’s Chief Political Anchor illuminates the heroic life of Ulysses S. Grant

"To Rescue the Republic is narrative history at its absolute finest. A fast-paced, thrilling and enormously important book." —Douglas Brinkley

An epic history spanning the battlegrounds of the Civil War and the violent turmoil of Reconstruction to the forgotten electoral crisis that nearly fractured a reunited nation, Bret Baier’s To Rescue the Republic dramatically reveals Ulysses S. Grant’s essential yet underappreciated role in preserving the United States during an unprecedented period of division.

Born a tanner’s son in rugged Ohio in 1822 and battle-tested by the Mexican American War, Grant met his destiny on the bloody fields of the Civil War. His daring and resolve as a general gained the attention of President Lincoln, then desperate for bold leadership. Lincoln appointed Grant as Lieutenant General of the Union Army in March 1864. Within a year, Grant’s forces had seized Richmond and forced Robert E. Lee to surrender.

Four years later, the reunified nation faced another leadership void after Lincoln’s assassination and an unworthy successor completed his term. Again, Grant answered the call. At stake once more was the future of the Union, for though the Southern states had been defeated, it remained to be seen if the former Confederacy could be reintegrated into the country—and if the Union could ensure the rights and welfare of African Americans in the South. Grant met the challenge by boldly advancing an agenda of Reconstruction and aggressively countering the Ku Klux Klan. 

In his final weeks in the White House, however, Grant faced a crisis that threatened to undo his life’s work. The contested presidential election of 1876 produced no clear victory for either Republican Rutherford B. Hayes or Democrat Samuel Tilden, who carried most of the former Confederacy. Soon Southern states vowed to revolt if Tilden was not declared the victor. Grant was determined to use his influence to preserve the Union, establishing an electoral commission to peaceably settle the issue. Grant brokered a grand bargain: the installation of Republican Hayes to the presidency, with concessions to the Democrats that effectively ended Reconstruction. This painful compromise saved the nation, but tragically condemned the South to another century of civil-rights oppression.

Deep with contemporary resonance and brimming with fresh detail that takes readers from the battlefields of the Civil War to the corridors of power where men decided the fate of the nation in back rooms, To Rescue the Republic reveals Grant, for all his complexity, to be among the first rank of American heroes.

In his captivating work, "To Rescue the Republic: Ulysses S. Grant, the Fragile Union, and the Crisis of 1876," Bret Baier transports readers back to a pivotal moment in American history, the post-Civil War era.

With meticulous research and vivid storytelling, Baier paints a picture of a nation struggling to heal its wounds, plagued by political turmoil, economic uncertainty, and lingering racial tensions. At the heart of this turbulent time stands Ulysses S. Grant, a war hero and two-term President, who finds himself thrust into a political firestorm that threatens to engulf the country.

Baier deftly weaves together the personal and political, offering an intimate look at Grant's life and motivations. He delves into Grant's humble beginnings, his rise to prominence during the Civil War, and his subsequent challenges as President. Through Baier's compelling narrative, we witness Grant's unwavering dedication to preserving the Union and his ongoing battles against corruption and injustice.

The book delves into the intricacies of the 1876 presidential election, widely regarded as one of the most controversial and consequential in American history. Baier meticulously recounts the bitter rivalry between Republican Rutherford B. Hayes and Democrat Samuel J. Tilden, the disputed electoral votes, and the intense political maneuvering that ensued.

Baier highlights the pivotal role Grant played in resolving the crisis, leveraging his reputation and influence to prevent a full-blown constitutional crisis. The author masterfully captures the tension, drama, and suspense of this historical juncture, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as the fate of the nation hangs in the balance.

"To Rescue the Republic" is not merely a historical account; it is a thought-provoking exploration of the challenges faced by a divided nation and the leadership required to navigate those challenges. Baier's insightful analysis and compelling storytelling make this book a must-read for anyone interested in American history, politics, or the enduring legacy of Ulysses S. Grant.