The #1 New York Times bestseller and New York Times Book Review 10 Best Books of 2017“Eminently readable but thick with import . . . Grant hits like a Mack truck of knowledge.” —Ta-Nehisi Coates, The AtlanticPulitzer Prize winner Ron Chernow returns with a sweeping and dramatic portrait of one of our most compelling generals and presidents, Ulysses S. Grant. Ulysses S. Grant's life has typically been misunderstood. All too often he is caricatured as a chronic loser and an inept businessman, or as the triumphant but brutal Union general of the Civil War. But these stereotypes don't come close to capturing him, as Chernow shows in his masterful biography, the first to provide a complete understanding of the general and president whose fortunes rose and fell with dizzying speed and frequency. Before the Civil War, Grant was flailing. His business ventures had ended dismally, and despite distinguished service in the Mexican War he ended up resigning from the army in disgrace amid recurring accusations of drunkenness. But in war, Grant began to realize his remarkable potential, soaring through the ranks of the Union army, prevailing at the battle of Shiloh and in the Vicksburg campaign, and ultimately defeating the legendary Confederate general Robert E. Lee. Along the way, Grant endeared himself to President Lincoln and became his most trusted general and the strategic genius of the war effort. Grants military fame translated into a two-term presidency, but one plagued by corruption scandals involving his closest staff members. More important, he sought freedom and justice for black Americans, working to crush the Ku Klux Klan and earning the admiration of Frederick Douglass, who called him “the vigilant, firm, impartial, and wise protector of my race.” After his presidency, he was again brought low by a dashing young swindler on Wall Street, only to resuscitate his image by working with Mark Twain to publish his memoirs, which are recognized as a masterpiece of the genre. With lucidity, breadth, and meticulousness, Chernow finds the threads that bind these disparate stories together, shedding new light on the man whom Walt Whitman described as “nothing heroic... and yet the greatest hero.” Chernows probing portrait of Grant's lifelong struggle with alcoholism transforms our understanding of the man at the deepest level. This is America's greatest biographer, bringing movingly to life one of our finest but most underappreciated presidents. The definitive biography, Grant is a grand synthesis of painstaking research and literary brilliance that makes sense of all sides of Grant's life, explaining how this simple Midwesterner could at once be so ordinary and so extraordinary.Named one of the best books of the year by Goodreads •Amazon • The New York Times • Newsday • BookPage • Barnes and Noble • Wall Street Journal
Journey Through Grant's Life: An Epic Tale of Leadership and Triumph
In the annals of American history, Ulysses S. Grant stands as a towering figure, a military genius and a transformative leader whose life reads like an epic tale of courage, determination, and triumph. In his acclaimed biography, "Grant," Ron Chernow paints a vivid portrait of this enigmatic and deeply influential president, offering readers a captivating journey through the trials and tribulations that shaped his remarkable career.
Chernow's meticulous research and masterful storytelling bring Grant to life, from his humble beginnings in Ohio to his rise as a fearless general during the Civil War and eventually as the 18th President of the United States. Along the way, we witness Grant's strategic brilliance on the battlefield, his unwavering resolve in the face of adversity, and his unwavering commitment to justice and equality.
Through Chernow's insightful analysis, we gain a deeper understanding of Grant's complex personality, his strengths, and his flaws. We see how his early struggles as a farmer and businessman forged his resilience and tenacity, while his experiences in the military honed his leadership skills and strategic thinking.
The book delves into the pivotal moments of Grant's presidency, including his efforts to reunite the nation after the Civil War, his battles against corruption and economic turmoil, and his groundbreaking policies aimed at protecting the rights of African Americans. Chernow also illuminates Grant's personal life, his marriage to Julia Dent and their close-knit family, as well as his struggles with alcoholism and financial setbacks.
"Grant" is not just a biography; it is a historical tapestry that weaves together the personal and the political, the triumphs and the tragedies that shaped a nation. Chernow's vivid prose and insightful analysis make this book an essential read for anyone interested in American history, leadership, and the transformative power of human spirit.
