Grant Recommendation Please

[Virginia Dave]

I am looking for a book recommendation on Grant. I just recently discovered that we have a family connection. Surprise, surprise. LOL There are lots out there, and I would like to here from our knowledgeable members here at CWT. I looked in the authors section, but did not see a specific book about Grant. Thanks from a very open minded Reb. LOL You just can't help where you were born and the family that GOD gave you.

Also, I am looking for what would be considered the best book on the Civil Ward in General. I have a few, but I want to continue to build my library with recommended volumes.

 

[GrantCottage1885]

I am looking for a book recommendation on Grant. I just recently discovered that we have a family connection. Surprise, surprise. LOL There are lots out there, and I would like to here from our knowledgeable members here at CWT. I looked in the authors section, but did not see a specific book about Grant. Thanks from a very open minded Reb. LOL You just can't help where you were born and the family that GOD gave you.

Also, I am looking for what would be considered the best book on the Civil Ward in General. I have a few, but I want to continue to build my library with recommended volumes.

Grant is a man of myth and legend, so it is important to have reputable sources to get a healthy perspective.

If your looking for a biography I would go with one or both of the following:

Triumph Over Adversity by Brooks Simpson (note this biography only covers 1822-1865)
American Ulysses by Ron White

There are many other good books on specific periods of Grant's life and career if you want to dive deeper as well.

Of course you could just wait a few months until the 6 hour mini-series documentary on Grant's life premiers on the History Channel, but I would encourage you to read up with some credible sources first.

 

[Virginia Dave]

Grant is a man of myth and legend, so it is important to have reputable sources to get a healthy perspective.

If your looking for a biography I would go with one or both of the following:
Triumph Over Adversity by Brooks Simpson (note this biography only covers 1822-1865)
American Ulysses by Ron White

There are many other good books on specific periods of Grant's life and career if you want to dive deeper as well.

Of course you could just wait a few months until the 6 hour mini-series documentary on Grant's life premiers on the History Channel, but I would encourage you to read up with some credible sources first.

I will be heading for the book store tomorrow. Thank you.

 

[byron ed]

When fielding recommendations, consider that Grant, Sherman and Lincoln all had significant personal histories the South, as did Thomas, Scott, Farragut and Anderson. Good sources will note that each, Grant in this case, had lived as a Southerner before the CW, several had married Southerners, and all of them considered themselves Southern or somewhat Southern to the end of their lives. There's no indication that any of these men personally hated the South, were personally inclined as enemies of the South, or intentionally "schemed" against the South, so avoid the venom drooled by post-war Confederate apologists to the contrary. For too long apologists have held sway that being "Southern" means being white and having Confederate provenance or attitude. Here's a case of some prominent white Southerners that weren't in any way Confederate -- but rather defending the South from the Confederates (as they saw it).

It comes off so hollow, not to say purile or amusing, when play-Confederates revel in calling these men "Yankees."

 

[Virginia Dave]

When fielding recommendations, consider that Grant, Sherman and Lincoln all had significant personal histories the South, as did Thomas, Scott, Farragut and Anderson. Good sources will note that each, Grant in this case, had lived as a Southerner before the CW, several had married Southerners, and all of them considered themselves Southern or somewhat Southern to the end of their lives. There's no indication that any of these men personally hated the South, were personally inclined as enemies of the South, or intentionally "schemed" against the South, so avoid the venom drooled by post-war Confederate apologists to the contrary. For too long apologists have held sway that being "Southern" means being white and having Confederate provenance or attitude. Here's a case of some prominent white Southerners that weren't in any way Confederate -- but rather defending the South from Confederates (as they saw it).

It comes off so hollow, not to say purile or amusing, when play-Confederates revel in calling these men "Yankees."

What author would you suggest.

 

[Virginia Dave]

Grant is a man of myth and legend, so it is important to have reputable sources to get a healthy perspective.

If your looking for a biography I would go with one or both of the following:
Triumph Over Adversity by Brooks Simpson (note this biography only covers 1822-1865)
American Ulysses by Ron White

There are many other good books on specific periods of Grant's life and career if you want to dive deeper as well.

Of course you could just wait a few months until the 6 hour mini-series documentary on Grant's life premiers on the History Channel, but I would encourage you to read up with some credible sources first.

just ordered American Ulysses. What Civil War history book do you recommend?

 

[byron ed]

What author would you suggest.

Grant's own memoirs, if you can wade through the way period literature was written.

 

[Virginia Dave]

Grant's own memoirs, if you can wade through the way period literature was written.

Thanks I will give that a try when I finish American Ulysess. I purchased it on audio also.

 

[infomanpa]

The most recent bio is Grant, written by Ron Chernow, who won the Pulitzer Prize for Washington.

 

[byron ed]

As an aside, in the new movie MIDWAY; Admiral Yamamoto's last scene was him pondering his copy of Grant's Memoirs.

 

[Cavalry Charger]

Grant's own memoirs, if you can wade through the way period literature was written.

I don't think Grant's memoirs require 'wading through' as they are quite well written and readable. @Virginia Dave if you want to read about the CW through the eye of beholder and the man himself, this is a great one to put on your list. You won't be disappointed. Especially if you have a personal family connection.

 

[Cavalry Charger]

The most recent bio is Grant, written by Ron Chernow, who won the Pulitzer Prize for Washington.

This one has gotten a less favourable review from a number of commentators, I believe due to the emphasis he put on Grant's drinking. We have a couple of other threads with comments on that, as well as other book recommendations, in the Grant forum.

 

[KansasFreestater]

I don't think Grant's memoirs require 'wading through' as they are quite well written and readable. @Virginia Dave if you want to read about the CW through the eye of beholder and the man himself, this is a great one to put on your list. You won't be disappointed. Especially if you have a personal family connection.

I agree. Extremely readable. Grant's own memoirs were the very first Grant book I read, when I was still very new to Civil War study. Despite being a novice, and being a person who usually has a hard time following battle descriptions, Grant's writing is so very clear and readable that I was able to follow along. And Grant's voice -- his personality that comes through on every page -- made the reading so very pleasant that it was like listening to a friend tell his stories. A very intelligent, insightful, humane, often drily and/or gently humorous friend. I can't recommend Grant's memoirs highly enough. One tip, though: Do get a print-and-paper version, with maps. I read it on Kindle, with no maps, and that made following the battle descriptions harder than it needed to be.

Some other favorite Grant books of mine:
Brooks Simpson's, Jean Edward Smith's, and Ron Chernow's biographies;
A double biography of Grant and Lee by William C. Davis titled Crucible of Command;
On the case for what a good president Grant was, Frank Scaturro's President Grant Reconsidered;
And for some very intimate, personal recollections of Grant, I cherish a little book called Reminescences of Ulysses S. Grant: First-hand Accounts of the General, the President and the Man From Those Who Knew Him

 

[Cavalry Charger]

I agree. Extremely readable. Grant's own memoirs were the very first Grant book I read, when I was still very new to Civil War study. Despite being a novice, and being a person who usually has a hard time following battle descriptions, Grant's writing is so very clear and readable that I was able to follow along. And Grant's voice -- his personality that comes through on every page -- made the reading so very pleasant that it was like listening to a friend tell his stories. A very intelligent, insightful, humane, often drily and/or gently humorous friend. I can't recommend Grant's memoirs highly enough. One tip, though: Do get a print-and-paper version, with maps. I read it on Kindle, with no maps, and that made following the battle descriptions harder than it needed to be.

Some other favorite Grant books of mine:
Brooks Simpson's, Jean Edward Smith's, and Ron Chernow's biographies;
A double biography of Grant and Lee by William C. Davis titled Crucible of Command;
On the case for what a good president Grant was, Frank Scaturro's President Grant Reconsidered;
And for some very intimate, personal recollections of Grant, I cherish a little book called Reminescences of Ulysses S. Grant: First-hand Accounts of the General, the President and the Man From Those Who Knew Him

Thanks for adding those other recommendations @KansasFreestater !

 

[Virginia Dave]

I agree. Extremely readable. Grant's own memoirs were the very first Grant book I read, when I was still very new to Civil War study. Despite being a novice, and being a person who usually has a hard time following battle descriptions, Grant's writing is so very clear and readable that I was able to follow along. And Grant's voice -- his personality that comes through on every page -- made the reading so very pleasant that it was like listening to a friend tell his stories. A very intelligent, insightful, humane, often drily and/or gently humorous friend. I can't recommend Grant's memoirs highly enough. One tip, though: Do get a print-and-paper version, with maps. I read it on Kindle, with no maps, and that made following the battle descriptions harder than it needed to be.

Some other favorite Grant books of mine:
Brooks Simpson's, Jean Edward Smith's, and Ron Chernow's biographies;
A double biography of Grant and Lee by William C. Davis titled Crucible of Command;
On the case for what a good president Grant was, Frank Scaturro's President Grant Reconsidered;
And for some very intimate, personal recollections of Grant, I cherish a little book called Reminescences of Ulysses S. Grant: First-hand Accounts of the General, the President and the Man From Those Who Knew Him

Sounds great. That will be my next purchase. I am about 1/3 of the way through
American Ulysses, and I am finding it very enjoyable also.

 

[James N.]

Book Review "Captain Sam Grant" by Lloyd Lewis | Reviews of Civil War Books & More

Captain Sam Grant by Lloyd Lewis Pub. 1950 by Little, Brown, and Co., Boston, Mass. 512pp., incl. notes, bibliography, and index Eighth printing No ISBN #! I have just finished reading Lloyd Lewis' first volume in what was to become a classic trilogy on the life of Lieutenant General Ulysses...

civilwartalk.com

Book Review "Grant Moves South" by Bruce Catton | Reviews of Civil War Books & More

Grant Moves South by Bruce Catton Published by Little, Brown and Company, Boston, Massachusetts, 1960 564 pp. including Notes, Bibliography, and Index No ISBN Grant Moves South is the second in a three-volume series begun by Lloyd Lewis with Captain Sam Grant, (previously reviewed here...

civilwartalk.com

Book Review "Grant Takes Command" by Bruce Catton | Reviews of Civil War Books & More

Grant Takes Command By Bruce Catton Little, Brown And Company, Inc., Boston, 1968 556 pp., Incl. Notes, Bibliography, and Index Library of Congress No. 69-12632; No ISBN Grant Takes Command is the third and final volume in the set pictured above, begun by Lloyd Lewis with Captain Sam Grant...

civilwartalk.com

Book Review "Campaigning With Grant" by General Horace Porter, L.L.D. | Reviews of Civil War Books & More

Campaigning With Grant By General Horace Porter, L.L.D. Volume in The Collector's Library of the Civil War by Time-Life Books Inc. Reprinted 1981 from the 1897 Century first edition, New York 546 pp. incl. Index ISBN: 0-8094-4200-0 Having recently finished (re)reading the Grant Trilogy begun by...

civilwartalk.com

Book Review "The Generalship of Ulysses S. Grant" by J.F.C. Fuller and "Stonewall Jackson" by G.F.R. Henderson | Reviews of Civil War Books & More

The Generalship of Ulysses S. Grant by J. F. C. Fuller Originally Published: London: J. Murray, 1929 Da Capo Press, 233 Spring Street, New York, N. Y., 1991 446 pp. + , incl. Appendices & Index ISBN: 0-306-80450-6 Stonewall Jackson by G. F. R. Henderson Originally Published as Stonewall Jackson...

civilwartalk.com

 

[Virginia Dave]

View attachment 334309

Book Review "Captain Sam Grant" by Lloyd Lewis | Reviews of Civil War Books & More

Captain Sam Grant by Lloyd Lewis Pub. 1950 by Little, Brown, and Co., Boston, Mass. 512pp., incl. notes, bibliography, and index Eighth printing No ISBN #! I have just finished reading Lloyd Lewis' first volume in what was to become a classic trilogy on the life of Lieutenant General Ulysses...

civilwartalk.com

Book Review "Grant Moves South" by Bruce Catton | Reviews of Civil War Books & More

Grant Moves South by Bruce Catton Published by Little, Brown and Company, Boston, Massachusetts, 1960 564 pp. including Notes, Bibliography, and Index No ISBN Grant Moves South is the second in a three-volume series begun by Lloyd Lewis with Captain Sam Grant, (previously reviewed here...

civilwartalk.com

https://civilwartalk.com/threads/gr...-grant-by-general-horace-porter-l-l-d.164083/

Book Review "The Generalship of Ulysses S. Grant" by J.F.C. Fuller and "Stonewall Jackson" by G.F.R. Henderson | Reviews of Civil War Books & More

The Generalship of Ulysses S. Grant by J. F. C. Fuller Originally Published: London: J. Murray, 1929 Da Capo Press, 233 Spring Street, New York, N. Y., 1991 446 pp. + , incl. Appendices & Index ISBN: 0-306-80450-6 Stonewall Jackson by G. F. R. Henderson Originally Published as Stonewall Jackson...

civilwartalk.com

It looks like I have a lot of catch up reading to do. Thanks for the list.

 

[Canadian]

Thanks I will give that a try when I finish American Ulysess. I purchased it on audio also.

I like American Ulysses very much.

 

[Canadian]

View attachment 334309

Book Review "Captain Sam Grant" by Lloyd Lewis | Reviews of Civil War Books & More

Captain Sam Grant by Lloyd Lewis Pub. 1950 by Little, Brown, and Co., Boston, Mass. 512pp., incl. notes, bibliography, and index Eighth printing No ISBN #! I have just finished reading Lloyd Lewis' first volume in what was to become a classic trilogy on the life of Lieutenant General Ulysses...

civilwartalk.com

Book Review "Grant Moves South" by Bruce Catton | Reviews of Civil War Books & More

Grant Moves South by Bruce Catton Published by Little, Brown and Company, Boston, Massachusetts, 1960 564 pp. including Notes, Bibliography, and Index No ISBN Grant Moves South is the second in a three-volume series begun by Lloyd Lewis with Captain Sam Grant, (previously reviewed here...

civilwartalk.com

Book Review "Grant Takes Command" by Bruce Catton | Reviews of Civil War Books & More

Grant Takes Command By Bruce Catton Little, Brown And Company, Inc., Boston, 1968 556 pp., Incl. Notes, Bibliography, and Index Library of Congress No. 69-12632; No ISBN Grant Takes Command is the third and final volume in the set pictured above, begun by Lloyd Lewis with Captain Sam Grant...

civilwartalk.com

Book Review "Campaigning With Grant" by General Horace Porter, L.L.D. | Reviews of Civil War Books & More

Campaigning With Grant By General Horace Porter, L.L.D. Volume in The Collector's Library of the Civil War by Time-Life Books Inc. Reprinted 1981 from the 1897 Century first edition, New York 546 pp. incl. Index ISBN: 0-8094-4200-0 Having recently finished (re)reading the Grant Trilogy begun by...

civilwartalk.com

Book Review "The Generalship of Ulysses S. Grant" by J.F.C. Fuller and "Stonewall Jackson" by G.F.R. Henderson | Reviews of Civil War Books & More

The Generalship of Ulysses S. Grant by J. F. C. Fuller Originally Published: London: J. Murray, 1929 Da Capo Press, 233 Spring Street, New York, N. Y., 1991 446 pp. + , incl. Appendices & Index ISBN: 0-306-80450-6 Stonewall Jackson by G. F. R. Henderson Originally Published as Stonewall Jackson...

civilwartalk.com

Yes, Bruce Catton was a great storyteller.

 

[Virginia Dave]

Yes, Bruce Catton was a great storyteller.

I will look that one up. Thanks