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Summary: Wow! A Great Boook for Fans of Ulys
Review: I finally bought this book of which I'd hear so much and I was not disappointed. For those of you who enjoy true romances, here is a real life romance of the highest and most passionate order. As a scholar of the Victorian era in the United States, most women of that era did not write like Julia Dent Grant, or express themselves in such tones. Her great love and attraction for her 'hero husband' is made evident throughout and in a most delightful way. The faults of the book are that she concentrates a little too much on their trip after he left the Presidency, and also I would have liked to have heard more about the Presidency itself. She rather glosses over that. Of course she is partial for her husband and makes plain they enjoyed each other thoroughly in wartime, peactime and in the bedroom. I really liked this book and for all fans of Ulys... RUN, don't walk to buy this superlative look into his life/
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Summary: Julia Dent Grant-Loving Wife of U.S. Grant
Review: I was thrilled to discover the existence of this book and equally thrilled at the opportunity to see into the lives of the Grants from Mrs. Grant's point of view. Throughout her Memoirs, Mrs. Grant's love and devotion to her husband and family are apparent. Equally apparent is the evidence that her affection was completely reciprocated. Not highly educated by modern standards, Mrs. Grant's sharp perception provides a unique glimpse into the personal life of her family and the issues that shaped her destiny. She was born the daughter of a Missouri planter, raised among slaves and southern society belles. Yet, during the Civil War, her devotion to her husband led her to become one of the most vocal proponents of preserving the Union among all her aquaintances. Amazingly, she was with the general during much of the war; in St. Louis before Vicksburg and in Virginia prior to the surrender of Lee at Appomatox Courthouse. Her presence helped ease the extreme pressure placed on her husband from Washington demands for quick victory in Virginia. The memoir also describes the Grant's occupation of the White House during the Grant Administration and the world tour of the Grants following her husband's presidency. Many details describe table linens and ladies fashion of the time, an important concern for a woman of Mrs. Grant's position, but not so for the woman of today. Still, this memoir is a wonderful addition to my library and will be a valuable addition to the collection of anyone interested in understanding the views of nineteenth century women and Mrs. Grant in particular.
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Summary: Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant Tells All
Review: Julia Dent Grant is sadly an almost forgotten figure in American history, but her book is a fascinating, intimate journey into the heart and soul of a 19th century woman. Julia and Ulysses Grant shared a mythical love which transcends time and retains an uncommon vibrancy. The book was written in the 1890's but was never published until 1975, yet the narrative is surprisingly modern and engaging. No shrinking violet, Julia wrote as she lived: with an open intensity and irreverence which is oftentimes hilarious. She rarely masks her feelings and says exactly what she thinks. The most engrossing portions of her book relate to her life with General Grant. Their courtship had been strained by a 4 year separation, followed by another 2 year period when Grant was stationed alone in California. When the Grants were together all was merry, but when apart, his spirits hit the skids. Grant was emotionally beholden to his wife to a rare degree and she gaily capitalized on his need.Julia herself was exceedingly plain and knew it. It pained her that her unfortunate physical appearence allowed her scant latitude in society and others gossiped about her defects. Incredibly, General Grant never seemed to notice or care that his wife was a plain Jane and behaved in a most uxorious manner when in her company. Whatever complexes Julia had about her appearence, she reveled in Grant's fame and the reflected glory it cast upon her.Julia's book is entertaining and significant for all history buffs and it is a notable addition to women's literature of the 19th century. It is as if she was sitting in a rocking chair, sewing basket on her lap, chatting informally about the Union's greatest General and America's most underrated hero. Truly a grand book.
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Summary: An Essential Work For Students of Grant
Review: The most prolific editor of Grant-ology does a tremendous job pulling together Julia Dent Grant's manuscript. I would have liked to have had her get into more depth on certain issues, but what can you do, she's been gone for some time now. This is ultimately an insightful look into one of the more interesting first ladies, and a wonderful source of information about what went into making Ulysses S. Grant.
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Summary: A steadfast reading of a virtual unknown
Review: They say that behind every good man is a better woman. This may not necessarily have been the case with Ulysses S. Grant, but the memoirs of his wife Julia stand the test of time even as if they were written more recently than 1890. As a rock,Julia remained ever faithful and supportive to her husband throughout their long, merry union. The love she felt for her husband is so adequately expressed, it shows that even in the Victorian time, strong women may not have indeed been an novelty and window dressing after all. The pages flow freely as she winds through her life with her dear "Ulys", but if there is a fault to be found by this reader, it is this. Given historical writings, although Grant was undeniably the greatest General to fight for Lincoln's army, he is obviously elevated to perfected status by his wife. This is understandable, given the resource, but the facts have stated that Grant was not only a man possesed by the will to fight, but the will of the bottle. There is nary a mention on Julia's behalf of Grant's accounted alcoholism. He is also regarded as one of the nation's least effective presidents (perhaps unjustly, all facts reconsidered), but in Julia's mind, he was the sole responsibility for restoring the Union to its former state. Had she put Grant so high on the pedestal she created for him, she could no longer see his wrongdoings? I cannot find fault with a wife defending her life partner, but to be so oblivious when she was purposely called to him in Vicksburg to reduce his drunken rages, and not mention a thing? Hmmmmmmm...........
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Summary: An Essential Work For Students of Grant
Review: This fascinating autobiography is a must-read for anyone wanting a personal view not only of Ulysses Grant, but of his all-too-often ignored and underrated wife. Julia Grant's memoir is an unusually frank and entertaining visit with her unique, delightfully engaging personality--she was a far cry from the rather sour-looking, unprepossessing image one gets from her photographs. One thing I found particularly fascinating about her book--something previous reviewers have strangely overlooked--is the inadvertent way she reveals not only Grant's many virtues, but his faults as well. Grant's cold, affection-starved upbringing left him emotionally immature in certain ways. Julia's candid style depicts her husband as sometimes capable of being pig-headed, uncommunicative, and remarkably insensitive to her feelings, while his usually charming sense of humor could take on a childishly cruel edge. This warts-and-all look at the man is a refreshing change from the uncritical, unbelievable hagiography found in most contemporary accounts of Grant. In short, this book is a psychological gold mine!
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