The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant Book Summary

In 'The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant,' the famed Union general offers an intimate glimpse into his life, revealing the complexities of leadership and the burdens of war. Grant's candid reflections on key battles provide thrilling insights into the Civil War's pivotal moments. As he navigates both triumph and tragedy, discerning readers will uncover the man behind the myth, a figure marked by resilience and humility. Rich in personal anecdotes, this memoir challenges conventional narratives and invites you to reconsider history through Grant's eyes. Prepare to embark on a journey through one of America's most tumultuous periods, as seen through the lens of its unlikely hero.

By Ulysses S. Grant

Published: 2017

"The only practice I have ever had that has been of service to me is that of blunders; and I trust that my faults have taught me more than my victories."

Book Review of The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant

“Leaps straight onto the roster of essential reading for anyone even vaguely interested in Grant and the Civil War.” —Ron Chernow, author of Grant “Provides leadership lessons that can be obtained nowhere else... Ulysses Grant in his Memoirs gives us a unique glimpse of someone who found that the habit of reflection could serve as a force multiplier for leadership.” —Thomas E. Ricks, Foreign Policy Ulysses S. Grant’s memoirs, sold door-to-door by former Union soldiers, were once as ubiquitous in American households as the Bible. Mark Twain and Henry James hailed them as great literature, and countless presidents credit Grant with influencing their own writing. This is the first comprehensively annotated edition of Grant’s memoirs, clarifying the great military leader’s thoughts on his life and times through the end of the Civil War and offering his invaluable perspective on battlefield decision making. With annotations compiled by the editors of the Ulysses S. Grant Association’s Presidential Library, this definitive edition enriches our understanding of the pre-war years, the war with Mexico, and the Civil War. Grant provides essential insight into how rigorously these events tested America’s democratic institutions and the cohesion of its social order. “What gives this peculiarly reticent book its power? Above all, authenticity... Grant’s style is strikingly modern in its economy.” —T. J. Stiles, New York Times “It’s been said that if you’re going to pick up one memoir of the Civil War, Grant’s is the one to read. Similarly, if you’re going to purchase one of the several annotated editions of his memoirs, this is the collection to own, read, and reread.” —Library Journal

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The only practice I have ever had that has been of service to me is that of blunders; and I trust that my faults have taught me more than my victories.

The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant

By Ulysses S. Grant