Rating: 
Summary: very thorough and enjoyable
Review:
Ulysses S. Grant's memoirs are unsentimental, unsparing, and full of detail. If you wish to read about war from the perspective of a soldier, this is one of the best accounts you'll find; there is a combination of historical tidbits (such as how mules were trained to carry supplies in the war against Mexico) and more universal reflections on what it's like to fight in a war and lead other men to battle - to victory or defeat, survival or death.
The memoirs don't cover all of Grant's life, but largely the Mexican War and the Civil War; not only do we get detailed accounts of what Grant saw during those two wars, we also see America change before our eyes - its landscape and technology, the mentality of its people. What I really liked about Grant's writing style is that he's very plainspoken. There isn't a bit of melodrama or overwrought, gushy prose in his personal works. He writes in a straightforward way, often tinged with wryness and subtle, self-deprecating humor; there's no self-aggrandizement in his memoirs. When he disagrees with something or thinks that it's deplorable, he says so with no qualms; and when he believes that someone has qualities worthy of praise, he will tell you about them plainly, with deep respect.
People who generally don't like reading historical texts might find the detailed accounts a little dry. But if you want to get steeped in an important part of American history, as seen through the eyes of an important historical figure, you'll truly enjoy Grant's memoirs, and the insights and observations that he offers.
Rating: 
Summary: Brilliant
Review: It is been said that Grant's memoirs are the finest written by an American president, and such an assessment may well be true, which is among the reasons why I wanted to read them. Lincoln held Grant in very high regard, and credited both Grant and Sherman with winning the Civil War militarily and thereby preserving the Union. Grant returned Lincoln's respect and praise, both in the words that he wrote and in his decision not to become a presidential candidate in 1864 -- and probably a very formidable rival, according to Lincoln's keen political judgment.
It is a shame that Grant did not write about his own two-term presidency, and instead concluded his memoirs with the war's end. However, he died of throat cancer in 1885, twenty years after the "rebellion" ended and less than a week after completing work on the memoirs, which were written in large part to provide much-needed financial security for his beloved wife, Julia Dent Grant. They accomplished their purpose, and were encouraged and edited by his friend, Mark Twain.
While I am not a student of the Civil War, nor of the other campaigns in which Grant served -- all of which are discussed in great detail -- his memoirs give the reader a window into the man and the war that wrenched and transformed this nation, and produced so much carnage on both sides. Like Eisenhower and other famous generals, Grant concludes, "this war was a fearful lesson, and should teach us the necessity of avoiding wars in the future."
However, Grant adds: "To maintain peace in the future it is necessary to be prepared for war. . . . [U]nless we are prepared for it we may be in danger of a combined movement being some day made to crush us out." With respect to former slaves, Grant writes: "[H]e was brought to our shores by compulsion, and he now should be considered as having as good a right to remain here as any other class of our citizens."
As to the future of our nation and the healing of its wounds, he concluded:
"The war has made us a nation of great power and intelligence. . . . I feel we are on the eve of a new era, when there is to be great harmony between the [North and South]. I cannot stay to be a living witness to the correctness of this prophecy; but I feel it within me that it is to be so. The universally kind feeling expressed for me at a time when it was supposed that each day would prove my last, seemed to me the beginning of the answer to 'Let us have peace.'
"The expressions of these kindly feelings were not restricted to a section of the country, nor to a division of the people. They came from individual citizens of all nationalities; from all denominations -- the Protestant, the Catholic, and the Jew; and from various societies of the land -- scientific, educational, religious, or otherwise. Politics did not enter into the matter at all."
Grant dedicated his memoirs to the "American Soldier And Sailor"; and it seems true, as Geoffrey Perret has written, "he was modest, sensitive, generous, honest, and superlatively intelligent. Grant's courage, both moral and physical, was a matter of record." And he lives on through his words and deeds.
Rating:
Summary: THE BEST AND MOST POIGNANT MEMOIR BY A PRESIDENT
Review: "The Personal Memoirs" of U.S. Grant are not only the very best memoirs ever penned by a former President, but they are also the most poignant.
Imagine this. A man who was a failure at business and is even rejected by the pompous George McClellan when he practically begged for a regimental command becomes one of the greatest military commanders in United States History, perhaps even a more solid and accomplished leader than the Robert E. Lee whose "Marble Man" legend has eclipsed Grant (don't forget the unassuming Grant not only paved the way for a Union Victory in the West, but also bested the noble Lee from the Wilderness to Appomattox). He was elected President, but despite his own personal honesty and integrity, his administration was wracked by scandal.
After the Presidency, Grant settled down for what he and his family hoped would be a quiet, successful life. His involvement and investment with a crook, however, left the Grant family almost totally penniless - and at practically the same time he learned he had cancer of the throat.
In a valiant race against time, Grant agreed to pen some articles for Century magazine. Mark Twain caught wind of this, and urged Grant to write a book of memoirs. In the one year of life remaining, and all too often in great pain, Grant didn't write one book - but a two-volume set of memoirs that are regarded not just a classic of war, but of U.S. History and Literature as well. He proved to be a winner once more, finally writing the last sentences of the memoirs less than 2 weeks before he died.
These Memoirs flow with great descriptive writing of events, battles, and characters. While there are no really "legendary" moments that pop out at the reader, i.e., Lee and the wounded Union soldier at Gettysburg, for example, all of the moments written, of friends who came to prominence in the Mexican war, and some who,like his protege, General McPherson, later died, are gripping ones. His description of the love and respect he had for Abraham Lincoln is touching. As in the description of what took place at Appomattox Court House.
A must set of books essential to all Americans who loved their country and respect their history.
I was presented with the limited leatherbound first editon 2 volume set as a gift from my parents, something I will always treasure (I can only guess whom they might have belonged to) I can heartily recommend the Konecky and Konecky hardbound volume, or this modern library edition that I am reviewing here. The print is better in the Konecky volume, but either way, this is one book that belongs in your library - and for your children.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful and Moving
Review: A must read for all Civil War buffs and those even remotely interested in history. The 600+ pages in this book (both volume I and II are included together) articulately spell out the military career of one of the United States' greatest generals. Grant's Memoirs are well-written, thoughtful, insightful, and offer more than a glimpse into the mind of U.S. Grant.Volume I opens with a heartfelt preface where Grant explains how his diminishing health pushed him to complete this work and "asking no favor but hoping (his remarks) will meet the approval of the reader." They most definitely do. Following the preface, the reader is given a (very) short review of his early childhood, life at West Point, and early Army life. The next one hundred pages are dedicated to the Mexican War followed by his resignation from the military and civilian life in Illinois. The remainder of Volume I and all of Volume II extensively deal with the War Between the States. I found Volume I (written before Grant realized he was critically ill) to be rich in detail of the various military campaigns (perhaps too detailed) and his ascension through the military ranks, but it is somewhat lacking in personal observations and insights. It even drags at times--but stick with it. The patient reader will not be dissapointed. Volume II hurls the reader into the conflict, reads rapidly, and is rife with Grant's personal observations and insights. This second volume picks up where the first left off--following Vicksburg to the campaigns in Tennessee to the Battle of the Wilderness to Sherman's March to the Sea to the Battle of Franklin right up to Appomattox and all the events of April and May 1865. These campaigns are told from the commanding general's perspective with great overview and detail. However, what really makes Volume II (and this volume is much more fast paced than the first) special are all the personal observations and insightful (rarely negative and always humble) comments about those Grant served with and against. Grant is thoughtful and displays much about himself as this great book draws to a close. An eloquently written, detailed, first-person account of the Civil War that offers much to those who read it. I cannot recommend this book highly enough.
Rating:
Summary: Compelling from start to end
Review: Almost without funds Ulysses S. Grant was aware that on his death from throat cancer his family would find themselves in a serious financial crisis - thus developed the impetus for putting pen to paper to write his Personal Memoirs. Shortly before his death he completed his memoirs and it is to our benefit that he was able to finish the task. I read Personal Memoirs with a fascination that was at times bordering on obsession. The book held me from first page to last, this due to the power of the words and the images that they painted. Grant writes with both eloquence and simplicity on his subject matter. He is clear and concise when other memoirs often flit about without a clear focus. For this reader as a non American who has not been raised with a Civil War bias - and I accept that not all US citizens will have such a bias - Personal Memoirs is refreshing in it's lack of romanticism - here is a man who 'tells it like it is!' Grant it would seem felt that he had nothing to prove with his Memoirs, thus what he wrote is a no frills, honest account devoid of moralising and self-adoration. When communicating with the Confederate General who held Fort Donelson there was no ambiguity in Grants words "No terms except an unconditional and immediate surrender can be accepted. I propose to move immediately upon your works." It is this direct approach which Grant was able to convey with such clarity within his memoirs. It is this that is so compelling about Personal Memoirs and indeed in itself gives us an insight into Grant the man Grant ends his introduction to Personal Memoirs by commenting "With these remarks I present these volumes to the public, asking no favor but hoping they will meet the approval of the reader." This book met my approval on every count and I recommend it to you highly.
Rating:
Summary: The BEST book ever written in history!
Review: An incredible book by an incredible man. I have never read a greater, grander book in my life. He wrote it when he was dying, yet you'd never know it from the words in the book. The greatest reading experience in my life, bar none. Read this book to understand this beautiful man!
Rating:
Summary: "Drummer boy, beat your skin with a passion unrivaled!"
Review: awesome book! i recommend it, etc. and so-forth. i cannot add to what other reviewers have said about it. the purpose of this typing is to clear up an issue in a previous review. mark twain did not ghost write this book with grant. grant wrote it by himself. if you're interested in the fascinating grant/twain friendship, read "Grant and Twain : The Story of a Friendship That Changed America," by Mark Perry, AFTER having read the grant memoirs. happy reading, righteous dudes.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read
Review: Being a Civil War buff, I just received a copy of the old 2-volume edition of this book as a birthday present. It turned out to be one of the better presents I have received.
Grant begins by stating that he will NOT present all the details of each campaign and battle. He keeps this promise. Rather, the book is a general overview of his background, youth, and military career from Mexico through the Civil War. I expected some self-aggrandizement, but was (pleasantly)surprised by Grant's frankness and obvious sincerity. He tells things as he experienced them, with no flourishes. When he was wrong, he says so. When credit belongs to someone else, he also says so. It is a straight-forward story by an obviously straight-forward man. Knowing that he was soon to die, Grant wrote a remarkably honest piece - especially compared to the works of some of his contemporaries.
When I finished reading the book, I don't believe that I knew that much more about the war itself. Rather, my strongest impression was of Grant's character; that I had, in a sense, met the man. It is a book NOT be to missed.
Rating:
Summary: A Must Read
Review: Being a Civil War buff, I just received a copy of the old 2-volume edition of this book as a birthday present. It turned out to be one of the better presents I have received. Grant begins by stating that he will NOT present all the details of each campaign and battle. He keeps this promise. Rather, the book is a general overview of his background, youth, and military career from Mexico through the Civil War. I expected some self-aggrandizement, but was (pleasantly)surprised by Grant's frankness and obvious sincerity. He tells things as he experienced them, with no flourishes. When he was wrong, he says so. When credit belongs to someone else, he also says so. It is a straight-forward story by an obviously straight-forward man. Knowing that he was soon to die, Grant wrote a remarkably honest piece - especially compared to the works of some of his contemporaries. When I finished reading the book, I don't believe that I knew that much more about the war itself. Rather, my strongest impression was of Grant's character; that I had, in a sense, met the man. It is a book NOT be to missed.
Rating:
Summary: A book valuable to contemplate
Review: Civl War afficianados will be fascinated by Grant's detailed discussion of battles. The general reader will find value in the discovery of General Grant's personality. He doesn't boast of his attributes, but the fact that he succeeded as commander of the army of the Patomac where others dithered and failed -- even unusually able and intelligent men -- must make one wonder why, and the answer is revealed in the pages of this book. His discussion of the qualities of various generals is also valuable. Those of us who occupy competative professions will necessarilly find useful the discussion of the qualities of perserverence and courage it takes to successfully prosecute any difficult endeavor -- whether it is a battle for national unity, a jury trial, or even a sales campaign. Lest one think the answer is simply self-confidence, one must pause before Grant's humility and his revealed trepedation at the prospect of high command. Grant is also frank about his dread of his first military engagement of the Civil War, but he learned a valuable lesson when his enemy, who knew he was coming, melted away before he arrived to engage him. Grant learned that his enemy feared him as much as he feared his enemy, and this tempered his fright in future engagements. A person can be better for reading this book and absorbing its lessons, not to say that the book is at all preachy.
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