Ulysses S. Grant: Triumph Over Adversity, 1822-1865

Rating:
Summary: Grant the Man: Triumphs and Failures
Review: This is an exceptional biography. The research that went intothis book and the comprehensive references included are mostimpressive. This is the story of the man, Ulysses S. Grant, not thelegend. In this work, Grant's greatest triumphs as well as his most dismal failures are exposed. I found his early life as a cadet at West Point and as a quartermaster officer in the Mexican-American War most interesting. After that war he was assigned as an infantry officer in California where he became depressed and fell to drink. He resigned from the service and was a failure at almost everything he tried, finally working as a store clerk for his father. When the Civil War started, Grant helped recruit volunteer regiments and train them. He had very little political pull and had to fight for his appointment as Colonel. He distinguished himself in the Western Campaigns and was promoted to Major General in the Regular Army. Because of his successes and the failures of other generals, he was appointed Lieutenant General of the Army. This caused all kinds of bitterness from rivals and political cronies. Grant then led the Union Armies into Virginia where he faced Lee. What followed was a long and hard fought campaign. The battles of the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, and the Petersburg and Appomattox Campaigns finally brought the Army of Northern Virginia to surrender. Through all the fighting, Grant never gave up and continually pressed forward. Some of Grant's hardest battles were with the bottle, the press, politicians and incompetent people under his command. Grant hated war, was sickened by the loss of life, and did everything in his power to bring the conflict to an end.

Rating:
Summary: A Superb Biography of a Superb Man
Review: Ulysses S. Grant is one of the most written about figures in all of history and one of the most surpassingly interesting. I have been reading about Grant for almost forty years now and I still don''t think that I know enough about Him.Brooks Simpson has written a magnificent biography which takes it's place among the classics of Civil War literature. Simpson is not a Haigieographer. He clearly takes an objective view of Grant, which is long overdue.The Author explores Grant's complex relationships with His parents and His cantankerous Father-in-law, Colonel Dent and also the most important relationship of Grant's life with His beloved wife Julia and their children. Simpson shows us how Grant's failures in civilian life prepared Him for success in war.Simpson clearly shows us that Grant was one of the greatest military commanders of all time. He did''nt not prevail because of superior numbers and resources, you will note that Lee did not surrender to McClellan , Burnside or Hooker who also had superior numbers and resources. No Grant prevailed because of superior Generalship. Simpson shows us how the persistent allegations about Grant's drinking are overdone at best. Certainly Grant did have a drinking problem but He was able to control it. And there is no record of His drinking ever interfereing with military operations.Simpson does not overlook Grant's shortcomings, some of which were horrendous. I cannot reccomend this book highly enough. Even if you are not a Civil War buff I believe you will find this a great read.