audiobook Grant by Jean Edward Smith in History

Review

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful. There's something in this book for every interest.By NateA great book in many respects. First; it was well written. A little slow at times with troop movements; units; and their commanders; but if you're a Civil War buff (and I can't really count myself as one); all that is right up your alley. The maps helped to give the reader some idea of how the battles - and there were a lot of them - progressed.For me; the most insightful chapters came between the end of the Civil War and the beginning of Grant's presidency. I had no idea how much animosity there was for Andrew Johnson among the military and members of Congress. His footnote in history is inevitably tied to his status as the first President ever impeached; but this book does an outstanding job of describing the background behind those soured relationships. It also shows how weak the office of the President was back then. Backed by Republicans in Congress and his own immense popularity; Grant was routinely able to defy his Commander-in-Chief on numerous occasions during Reconstruction. A military officer exhibiting similar defiance to a President today is simply unthinkable.Finally; this book does a superb job of illuminating the character of Abraham Lincoln. After all that has been written about our greatest President; I did not think this possible; but sometimes the best insights to a personality come from books written about other people who knew him. I was continually struck by Lincoln's humility in his correspondence with Grant; offering "suggestions" that could just as easily have been direct orders; coming as they did from the Commander-in-Chief. The two men became friends in part because both had that unique thirst for success that comes from men who have experienced an abundance of failure. Grant was Lincoln's seventh commander to lead the Union's armies in the East. Lincoln was Grant's ultimate protector - someone who would let him do his job no matter how long it took. Each had faith in the other; and this is one of those very unique partnerships in American history that served the country so well (Roosevelt and Eisenhower/Truman and Marshall also come to mind).There's something in this book for every interest - military; political; and personal.3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Grant is not what I expectedBy Victoria CampbellGeneral Grant is a superstar. He was not just a great general but I kind; humble man. He knew what needed to be done and did it. He is a complicated man and in this book we watch as he develops from a scrawny kid who feels out of place to a great general and an even better President.Here's the thing; when the Civil War was over that wasn't the end of his usefulness; although not a politician at first; he guards the country from Andrew Johnson's worst instincts after the tragic assassination of Lincoln. When he becomes President himself he dedicates himself to doing what Lincoln wanted in Reconstruction. I have a much better understanding of him from this book and I found the elusive man utterly fascinating. Read this; you won't regret it.2 of 2 people found the following review helpful. Excellent biography of U. S. GrantBy Steven PetersonI have read other biographies of U. S. Grant; but this ranks very high. The most important difference between this version and others is the more nuanced treatment of his presidency.The book follows a pretty standard path. The guiding theme can be summarized thus (Page 15): "The biography emphasizes the continuity in Grant's life. The common thread is strength of character--an indomitable will that never flagged in the face of adversity."The book adopts a chronological approach: It begins with his childhood and then his time at West Point; getting his commission; his role in the Mexican War (where his courage under fire made some impressions); his failures after he left the army; his very early role in the Civil War where he could get volunteers to work with him and gain discipline; his accession to field command and his early tests--such as Belmont. Then; we proceed from battle to battle; all the time learning of his strength of character and unwillingness to reverse courses or give in to panic.He often chided other commanders for worrying about what the opposing general might do. His view? Let the other side worry what we'll do. Sometimes that led to real problems on the battlefield; but it also made possible success in battles like Forts Henry and Donelson; Shiloh (Grant's early mistakes were made up for by his strength and confidence in continuing the fight); Vicksburg (his casting off from his supply lines was especially indicative of his courage); Chattanooga.The story continues until Appomattox and his generous terms for Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. After the war; he tried to ensure that freed blacks were treated properly and that reconstruction was enforced. He butted heads with President Andrew Johnson.His own political career? He became president in 1869 and served two terms (the first to serve two full terms in many decades). A standard story is "Grant the failed President." But Smith argues that Grant was actually pretty good. He did the right thing with reconstruction; protection of the rights of freed slaves; efforts to treat Native Americans fairly; refusal to take the easy road in tough economic circumstances; and so on. At the same time; Smith understands that Grant's trusting nature could allow people to take advantage of that good nature.And; of course; the end of his life and his desperate race to provide his family with economic security.All in all; one of the better biographies of Grant. . . .