Ulysses S. Grant: The Unlikely Hero (Eminent Lives)

I admit to being rather ignorant of Grant's life aside from a few anecdotes I read about him in a few Civil War history books. For some unexplained reason I was never very interested in reading about him. Therefore, I am no position to comment on the accuracy of this short biography, which from what I read, is oftentimes inaccurate, although chiefly on small and somewhat less important details.

I managed to learn quite a bit about Grant. Grant lived a most interesting life filled with failures but also with successes. While it's apparent that Korda admires Grant, he managed to write a balanced biography without skipping the many failures of Grant, especially as a civilian.

This is a very easy read, perfect for people who are interested in Grant, but not enough to read a lengthy biography.

This is a very short book about Hiram Ulysses Grant. I found the story of how he came to be known as Ulysses S. Grant interesting. There are a lot of other interesting facts about Grant in this book. Due to the book's short length, it is not reasonable to assume that it is a comprehensive biography. However, it does give a flavor of Grant's personality. It would be a good book to read for someone in high school, or someone who thinks they would like to read a longer biography of Grant, but are not sure if they would find his life interesting.

A recurring theme in the book is Grant's failures. He failed at business, on the battlefield, and at sobriety on numerous occasions. However, he seems to have succeeded in raising a family. He was also quite good at relating with horses. After resigning from the army, he eventually got back into it and the rest is history.

Perhaps the most moving part of this book is recalling how Grant, when he found out he had throat cancer, was determined to start writing his memoirs in order to have money to leave his family. His devotion to his family, and to the task before him, was truly moving. Through much pain, he feverishly set about the task of completing his memoirs. He finished it days before he died. As a result, he provided for his family.

Michael Korda is a very good writer. I recommend this book.

Magnificent, as Korda always is... These quick histories never disappoint, and I keep Korda's particular biography of Grant close at hand for my own writing and just the sheer pleasure of it.

This book has just the right amount of information: enough to make it worth reading but not so much to make it overwhelming. The author also writes in such a manner that makes this a pleasure to read.

This is a perfect introduction to Grant, for those who don't have time to read the General's own memoirs, or one of the excellent long biographies of him. One quibble: he doesn't give quite enough weight to Grant's work to destroy the Klan and protect emancipated African Americans in his first term as President.

This book was also purchased for a friend. His words, "It filled in some gaps in my knowledge of Grant" echoed my own initial response. Biographies less than door-stopper size can be problematic, while undue length can present its own difficulties, but Korda's cogent treatment is the best of both worlds.

I have been a modest student of Civil War history for 64 years. Grant and Lee both fascinated me as did the contrast between them. The old honor bound cavalier against the new industrialized total war machine. More than anything I have read, this slender volume gives new and surprising insight into Grant as a man and as a human being. Read it! and you too will be pleasantly surprised.