Member Review Grant's Memoirs

[CWLeadManiac]

I recently acquired a copy of "Grant's Memoirs" and started reading it last night. I couldn't help but get a little "misty eyed" thinking about where this man was in his life, dying of throat cancer, and trying to put down on paper his recollections of his life and American history from the early 1800's until 1885. It's my first time reading it and it's, by far, one of the best books I've ever read.
Well, back to it. I can feel the invisible "onion slicing ninjas" creeping up already, before I even start again.

 

[Kurtlg]

I recently acquired a copy of "Grant's Memoirs" and started reading it last night. I couldn't help but get a little "misty eyed" thinking about where this man was in his life, dying of throat cancer, and trying to put down on paper his recollections of his life and American history from the early 1800's until 1885. It's my first time reading it and it's, by far, one of the best books I've ever read.
Well, back to it. I can feel the invisible "onion slicing ninjas" creeping up already, before I even start again.

You can visit the cottage in upstate NY where he wrote it. Well worth the visit if you get near there.

 

[A. Roy]

I recently acquired a copy of "Grant's Memoirs" and started reading it last night. I couldn't help but get a little "misty eyed" thinking about where this man was in his life, dying of throat cancer, and trying to put down on paper his recollections of his life and American history from the early 1800's until 1885. It's my first time reading it and it's, by far, one of the best books I've ever read.
Well, back to it. I can feel the invisible "onion slicing ninjas" creeping up already, before I even start again.

Grant has his critics, as do his memoirs, but I have found him a fascinating character and the memoirs well worth reading.
AR

 

[CWLeadManiac]

I might just do that. Thanks for the suggestion!! I'm planning a two week road trip of Northern Civil War landmarks in May and so far I've added his home in Galena, Illinois, his boyhood home in Georgetown, Ohio, Gettysburg, (I've never been there) and Antietam again for my second visit. Grant's home in New York would be a good way to finish up the trip!

You can visit the cottage in upstate NY where he wrote it. Well worth the visit if you get near there.

 

[Kurtlg]

I might just do that. Thanks for the suggestion!! I'm planning a two week road trip of Northern Civil War landmarks in May and so far I've added his home in Galena, Illinois, his boyhood home in Georgetown, Ohio, Gettysburg, (I've never been there) and Antietam again for my second visit. Grant's home in New York would be a good way to finish up the trip!

The cottage interior looks like it did when he died. The furnishings are unchanged. If you are interested in the American Revolution the Saratoga battlefield isn't far away.

 

[CWLeadManiac]

The cottage interior looks like it did when he died. The furnishings are unchanged. If you are interested in the American Revolution the Saratoga battlefield isn't far away.

Going to Saratoga would make it worth my while even more! Thanks!!

 

[JackADriscoll]

Saratoga is great. Can't suggest it more. The town is a blast too

 

[TallTallMan]

I can't wait for the accuracy people.

 

[Gary Morgan]

You can visit the cottage in upstate NY where he wrote it. Well worth the visit if you get near there.

Just as an FYI, according to their website, Grant's Cottage is still closed for the season. It will reopen April 27th. If you're up that way, the New York State Military Museum in Saratoga Springs is also worth a stop, although their research center (my reason for going there) is closed due to renovations. They are about 10 miles apart.

 

[CWLeadManiac]

Just as an FYI, according to their website, Grant's Cottage is still closed for the season. It will reopen April 27th. If you're up that way, the New York State Military Museum in Saratoga Springs is also worth a stop, although their research center (my reason for going there) is closed due to renovations. They are about 10 miles apart.

I'm planning my trip for mid May so, hopefully, they'll be good to go

 

[7th Mississippi Infantry]

I have a copy of "Grant's Memoirs".
It's actually a good read.

However, like many other guys writing memoirs ... Grant seems to inflate some events while ignoring other events.

Just my opinion.

But "Grant's Memoirs" is worth a look ... for anyone interested in the American Civil War.

 

[CWLeadManiac]

I have a copy of "Grant's Memoirs".
It's actually a good read.

However, like many other guys writing memoirs ... Grant seems to inflate some events while ignoring other events.

Just my opinion.

But "Grant's Memoirs" is worth a look ... for anyone interested in the American Civil War.

It's an AWESOME read!! I'm thinking it's very accurate and honest, at least from Grant's perspective. And I think that we, as critical thinkers, need to take this in context, as one perspective of what happened at that time.

 

[JackADriscoll]

It's an AWESOME read!! I'm thinking it's very accurate and honest, at least from Grant's perspective. And I think that we, as critical thinkers, need to take this in context, as one perspective of what happened at that time.

Like obi wan said. True from a certain point of view

 

[Jim in Wisconsin]

I think everyone who would write their memoirs would "inflate some events and ignore others". I sure would!

 

[JackADriscoll]

I think everyone who would write their memoirs would "inflate some events and ignore others". I sure would!

And downplay a coupe. Like whatttttt I wasn't even at work that day check the time sheet

 

[Library Lady]

I can't wait for the accuracy people.

And when they arrive, I'm asking them all to kindly remember to "post friendly." They don't have to like Grant. They don't have to like his memoirs. They do have to remain civil (as do those of us who are already here - including me).

 

[dlofting]

I bought Grant's memoirs when I was in my teens for $6. I enjoyed reading them at the time, still have them and haven't opened them since. I now know that they aren't completely accurate but they certainly helped in my Civil War education.

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

I recently acquired a copy of "Grant's Memoirs" and started reading it last night. I couldn't help but get a little "misty eyed" thinking about where this man was in his life, dying of throat cancer, and trying to put down on paper his recollections of his life and American history from the early 1800's until 1885.

I have yet to read his memoirs (I will get one of the annotated editions when I do), but my understanding he says little about his presidency. Understandable, considering his health and what would have the greatest interest among readers (he was writing the memoirs in part to secure money for his family after his death, after all).

Considering Jefferson Davis managed to redeem his reputation by writing a memoir of his time as Confederate president one wonders how Grant's presidency would be viewed differently had he had his say on the subject.

It would be great if Brooks Simpson would someday finish his biography of Grant's presidency, but it's been 24 years since the publication of Triumph Over Adversity so I'm not holding out hope. For all I know he might have abandoned the project.

I think everyone who would write their memoirs would "inflate some events and ignore others". I sure would!

Even the most honest memoirs will give more attention and focus to what the author thinks is important and less on what the author considers less important. But the author's focus can be as revealing as what they have to say.

I know of one non-military autobiography where the author omitted any mention of his relationships and children, and removed other material during the editing process for the sake of making a book that read better. (And it was certainly a very a good read.)

On a different part of the spectrum, I know of a retired public school official who self-published an autobiographical work that is a staggering 700 pages, which is not suggestive of good editorial restraint. Because many of the people in the book are still alive he made the unusual choice to fictionalize the names of just about everyone, including himself, and even combine some people. It leaves serious historians like me who might want to wade through the book unsure of how much he wrote is truth and how much is embellished.

 

[JackADriscoll]

I have yet to read his memoirs (I will get one of the annotated editions when I do), but my understanding he says little about his presidency. Understandable, considering his health and what would have the greatest interest among readers (he was writing the memoirs in part to secure money for his family after his death, after all).

Considering Jefferson Davis managed to redeem his reputation by writing a memoir of his time as Confederate president one wonders how Grant's presidency would be viewed differently had he had his say on the subject.

It would be great if Brooks Simpson would someday finish his biography of Grant's presidency, but it's been 24 years since the publication of Triumph Over Adversity so I'm not holding out hope. For all I know he might have abandoned the project.



Even the most honest memoirs will give more attention and focus to what the author thinks is important and less on what the author considers less important. But the author's focus can be as revealing as what they have to say.

I know of one non-military autobiography where the author omitted any mention of his relationships and children, and removed other material during the editing process for the sake of making a book that read better. (And it was certainly a very a good read.)

On a different part of the spectrum, I know of a retired public school official who self-published an autobiographical work that is a staggering 700 pages, which is not suggestive of good editorial restraint. Because many of the people in the book are still alive he made the unusual choice to fictionalize the names of just about everyone, including himself, and even combine some people. It leaves serious historians like me who might want to wade through the book unsure of how much he wrote is truth and how much is embellished.

Narcissism?

 

[Bentonville]

I think everyone who would write their memoirs would "inflate some events and ignore others". I sure would!

I'd be tempted to 'touch up' entire chapters. From about 21 to 34.