The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant : The Complete Annotated Edition

“This fine volume leaps straight onto the roster of essential reading for anyone even vaguely interested in Grant and the Civil War. The book is deeply researched, but it introduces its scholarship with a light touch that never interferes with the reader’s enjoyment of Grant’s fluent narrative.”―Ron Chernow, author of Grant Ulysses S. Grant’s memoirs, sold door-to-door by former Union soldiers, were once as ubiquitous in American households as the Bible. Mark Twain, Gertrude Stein, Henry James, and Edmund Wilson hailed them as great literature, and countless presidents, including Clinton and George W. Bush, credit Grant with influencing their own writing. Yet a judiciously annotated edition of these memoirs has never been produced until now. The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant is the first comprehensively annotated edition of Grant’s memoirs, clarifying the great military leader’s thoughts on his life and times through the end of the Civil War and offering his invaluable perspective on battlefield decision making. An introduction contextualizes Grant’s life and significance, and lucid editorial commentary allows his voice and narrative to shine through. With annotations compiled by the editors of the Ulysses S. Grant Association’s Presidential Library, this definitive edition enriches our understanding of the pre-war years, the war with Mexico, and the Civil War. Grant provides essential insight into how rigorously these events tested America’s democratic institutions and the cohesion of its social order. The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant is a work of profound political, historical, and literary significance. This celebrated annotated edition will introduce a new generation of readers of all backgrounds to an American classic.

"Leaps straight onto the roster of essential reading for anyone even vaguely interested in Grant and the Civil War."
—Ron Chernow, author of Grant "Provides leadership lessons that can be obtained nowhere else... Ulysses Grant in his Memoirs gives us a unique glimpse of someone who found that the habit of reflection could serve as a force multiplier for leadership."
—Thomas E. Ricks, Foreign Policy Ulysses S. Grant's memoirs, sold door-to-door by former Union soldiers, were once as ubiquitous in American households as the Bible. Mark Twain and Henry James hailed them as great literature, and countless presidents credit Grant with influencing their own writing. This is the first comprehensively annotated edition of Grant's memoirs, clarifying the great military leader's thoughts on his life and times through the end of the Civil War and offering his invaluable perspective on battlefield decision making. With annotations compiled by the editors of the Ulysses S. Grant Association's Presidential Library, this definitive edition enriches our understanding of the pre-war years, the war with Mexico, and the Civil War. Grant provides essential insight into how rigorously these events tested America's democratic institutions and the cohesion of its social order."What gives this peculiarly reticent book its power? Above all, authenticity... Grant's style is strikingly modern in its economy."
—T. J. Stiles, New York Times "It's been said that if you're going to pick up one memoir of the Civil War, Grant's is the one to read. Similarly, if you're going to purchase one of the several annotated editions of his memoirs, this is the collection to own, read, and reread."
— Library Journal

"Leaps straight onto the roster of essential reading for anyone even vaguely interested in Grant and the Civil War." —Ron Chernow, author of Grant "Provides leadership lessons that can be obtained nowhere else... Ulysses Grant in his Memoirs gives us a unique glimpse of someone who found that the habit of reflection could serve as a force multiplier for leadership." —Thomas E. Ricks, Foreign Policy Ulysses S. Grant's memoirs, sold door-to-door by former Union soldiers, were once as ubiquitous in American households as the Bible. Mark Twain and Henry James hailed them as great literature, and countless presidents credit Grant with influencing their own writing. This is the first comprehensively annotated edition of Grant's memoirs, clarifying the great military leader's thoughts on his life and times through the end of the Civil War and offering his invaluable perspective on battlefield decision making. With annotations compiled by the editors of the Ulysses S. Grant Association's Presidential Library, this definitive edition enriches our understanding of the pre-war years, the war with Mexico, and the Civil War. Grant provides essential insight into how rigorously these events tested America's democratic institutions and the cohesion of its social order. "What gives this peculiarly reticent book its power? Above all, authenticity... Grant's style is strikingly modern in its economy." —T. J. Stiles, New York Times "It's been said that if you're going to pick up one memoir of the Civil War, Grant's is the one to read. Similarly, if you're going to purchase one of the several annotated editions of his memoirs, this is the collection to own, read, and reread." — Library Journal President Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885) Was One Of The Most Esteemed Individuals Of The Nineteenth Century. His Two-volume Memoirs, Sold Door-to-door By Former Union Soldiers, Have Never Gone Out Of Print And Were Once As Ubiquitous In American Households As The Bible. Mark Twain, Gertrude Stein, Matthew Arnold, Henry James, And Edmund Wilson Hailed These Works As Great Literature, And Presidents Bill Clinton And George W. Bush Both Credit Grant With Influencing Their Own Writing. Yet A Judiciously Annotated Clarifying Edition Of These Memoirs Has Never Been Produced Until Now. The Personal Memoirs Of Ulysses S. Grant Is The First Comprehensively Annotated Edition Of Grant's Memoirs, Fully Representing The Great Military Leader's Thoughts On His Life And Times Through The End Of The Civil War And His Invaluable Perspective On Battlefield Decision Making. An Introduction Contextualizes Grant's Life And Significance, And Lucid Editorial Commentary Allows The President's Voice And Narrative To Shine Through. Compiled By The Editors In The Ulysses S. Grant Association's Presidential Library, These Selections Enrich Our Understanding Of The Antebellum Era, The Mexican War, And The Civil War. Grant Provides Insight Into How Rigorously These Events Tested America's Democratic Institutions And The Cohesion Of Its Social Order. The Personal Memoirs Of Ulysses S. Grant Preserves And Extends A Work Of Profound Political, Historical, And Literary Significance And Serves As The Gateway For Modern Readers Of All Backgrounds To An American Classic.-- Edited By John F. Marszalek With David S. Nolen And Louie P. Gallo. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. "President Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885) was one of the most esteemed individuals of the nineteenth century. His two-volume memoirs, sold door-to-door by former Union soldiers, have never gone out of print and were once as ubiquitous in American households as the Bible. Mark Twain, Gertrude Stein, Matthew Arnold, Henry James, and Edmund Wilson hailed these works as great literature, and presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush both credit Grant with influencing their own writing. Yet a judiciously annotated clarifying edition of these memoirs has never been produced until now. The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant is the first comprehensively annotated edition of Grant's memoirs, fully representing the great military leader's thoughts on his life and times through the end of the Civil War and his invaluable perspective on battlefield decision making. An introduction contextualizes Grant's life and significance, and lucid editorial commentary allows the president's voice and narrative to shine through. Compiled by the editors in the Ulysses S. Grant Association's Presidential Library, these selections enrich our understanding of the antebellum era, the Mexican War, and the Civil War. Grant provides insight into how rigorously these events tested America's democratic institutions and the cohesion of its social order. The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant preserves and extends a work of profound political, historical, and literary significance and serves as the gateway for modern readers of all backgrounds to an American classic."-- Provided by publisher Tracing his ancestry, Grant gives insight into the upbringing of a heralded military and political leader. On a broader scale, his first-person account of America’s armed forces outlines both civil and foreign insurrection.Grant wrote the two-volume Memoirs, published by Mark Twain, during his final battle – a battle against cancer that he would ultimately lose. This is the first complete annotated edition of Grant's memoirs, fully representing the great military leader's thoughts on his life and times through the end of the Civil War-including the antebellum era and the Mexican War-and his invaluable perspective on battlefield decision making. An introduction contextualizes Grant's life and significance THE reply (to my telegram of October 16, 1863, from Cairo, announcing my arrival at that point) came on the morning of the 17th, directing me to proceed immediately to the Galt House, Louisville, where I would meet an officer of the War Department with my instructions.