Books About Ulysses S. Grant for Students

A Bibliography by Donna Neralich and Marie Kelsey

The following books are recommended for students of all ages. They are thorougly researched, well documented, and indexed. They will provide students with a thorough yet brief look at Grant's life. Although many of these books are now out of print, most are available at local libraries or through interlibrary loan.

Boothe, Norton. Ulysses S. Grant. Great American Generals Series. New York, Gallery Books, 1990.

This brief, well illustrated overview of Grant's life focuses mainly on his role in the Civil War.

Catton, Bruce. U.S. Grant and the American Military Tradition. New York, Grosset & Dunlap, 1954.

This excellent book contains material that might be of interest to slightly older students who would like a more detailed overview of Grant's life and military career.

Frost, Lawrence A. U.S. Grant Album: a Pictorial Biography of Ulysses S. Grant. Seattle, Superior, 1966.

This biography contains an abundant collection of photographs of Grant as well as a brief overview of his life.

Lewis, Lloyd. Captain Sam Grant. Boston, Little, Brown, 1950.

This excellent biography is a good source of information about Grant's boyhood and life before the Civil War. Although written on an adult level, it contains many amusing anecdotes and facts about Grant's life presenting a clear picture of how these events contributed to Grant's later success. (This book has recently been reissued in paperback)

Marrin, Albert. Unconditional Surrender: U. S. Grant and the Civil War. New York, Atheneum, 1994.

Superior depiction with graphic descriptions of the War's horrors. Grade 10 and up.

Meredith, Roy, ed. Mr. Lincoln's General: U.S. Grant. New York, Dutton, 1959.

This lavishly illustrated autobiography is composed entirely of excerpts from Grant's own Personal Memoirs.

Meyer, Howard N. Let Us Have Peace. New York, Collier Books, 1966.

This clearly written biography focusing mainly on Grant's generalship and presidency, was intended specifically for young adults.

Pitkin, Thomas, ed. Grant the Soldier. Washington, D.C., Acropolis Books, 1965.

This illustrated short biography tells the Grant story through a series of well-edited excerpts, some from the writings of Grant's contemporaries and some from Grant's own Memoirs.

Several biographies of Grant have been written for much younger students. Although some of these books are not documented or indexed, they provide students in the early grades with an introduction to Grant's life.

Aller, Susan Bivin.Ulysses S. Grant New York, Barnes and Noble, 2005.

Well-written favorable biography with unusual illustrations, timeline, and index. For grades 2 to 3.

Ashby, Ruth. Lee Versus Grant: Great Battles of the Civil War. North Mankato, Minn., Smart Apple Media, 2002.

The contributions and errors of both men. For grades 3 to 5.

Bentley, Bill. Ulysses S. Grant. New York, Franklin Watts, 1989.

Well written with a variety of interesting illustrations, both photos and drawings, and including an index, this is one of the better of the recent biographies of Grant. For grades 4 to 6.

Bunting, Josiah, III. Ulysses S. Grant.New York, Times Books, 2004.

Exceedingly well done, if a bit dry. Grades 10 and up.

Carter, E. J. Ulysses S. Grant.Chicago, Heinemann, 2004.

Highly illustrated, includes sidebars, timeline, glossary and index. Grades 3 to 5.

Falkof, Lucille. Ulysses S. Grant, 18th President of the United States.. Ada, Oklahoma, Garrett Educational, 1988.

Grant's accomplishments in war and the presidency are covered in this well crafted biography. For grades 5 to 8.

Fraser, Mary Ann. Vicksburg, the Battle that Won the Civil War. New York, Holt, 1999.

Using footnotes, illustrations, and primary sources this is an example of superior children's nonfiction. For grades 5 to 8.

Gregson, Susan R. Ulysses S. Grant.. Mankato, Minn., Bridgestone, 2002.

Superior children's biography that is attractively illustrated and discusses both the strengths and weaknesses of Grant as a general and president. John Y. Simon served as consultant. For grades 2 to 3.

Haugen, Brenda. Ulysses S. Grant: Union General and U. S. President.Minneapolis, Minn.: Compass Point Books, 2004.

Nicely done biography with numerous illustrations and maps. Grades 4-6.

Havelin, Kate. Ulysses S. Grant.Minneapolis, Lerner, 2004.

Thorough, readable, nicely illustrated, and positive in tone and interpretation. Grades 5 to 7.

Kent, Zachary. Ulysses S. Grant. Encyclopedia of Presidents Series. Chicago, Children's Press, 1989.

This is a well illustrated, indexed overview of Grant's life written at about the fifth grade level.

Nolan, Jeannette C. The Story of Ulysses S. Grant. New York, Grosset & Dunlap, 1952.

Although the author takes some liberty with dialogue, this book provides young readers with an introduction to Grant, focusing mainly on his early life. It is written at about the third grade level.

O'Shei, Tim. Ulysses S. Grant, Military Leader and President. Philadelphia, Chelsea House, 2001.

A higher level of description than one usually finds in a children's book on Grant, but skips over the entire War in the East. Includes index and vocabulary words. For grades 3 to 4.

Reeder, Red. Ulysses S. Grant: Horseman and Fighter. Champaign Illinois, Garrard, 1964.

This book provides young students with many interesting facts about Grant written at approximately a second grade level.

Rice, Earle. Ulysses S. Grant: Defender of the Union.Greensboro, NC, Morgan Reynolds, 2005.

Lively, documented, positive in tone. Grades 7 and up. Grades 7 and up.

Schumann, Michael. Ulysses S. Grant. Berkeley Heights, NJ, Enslow, 2004.

Photos and primary source documents, analysis of his presidency. For grades 5 to 8.

Santella, Andrew. Surrender at Appomattox. Minneapolis, Compass Point Books, 2005.

Grant and Lee in Wilmer McLean's parlor. The end of the War and eventual restortion of the McLean home. Grades 2 to 4.

Smith, Tamara. The Story of Ulysses S. Grant.Nashville, Tenn., Candy Cane Press, 2005.

Board book for small children conveys positive portrait of Grant. Preschool.

Stevenson, Augusta. U.S. Grant, Young Horseman. Indianapolis, Bobbs-Merrill, 1947.

The author uses some imagination with anecdotes and takes liberty with dialogue as she brings to life many interesting stories about Grant's boyhood. Written at approximately a fourth grade level.

Ulysses S. Grant. October, 1995 issue of Cobblestone, the History Magazine for Young People. Peterborough, NH.

Bright, colorful and full of fascinating facts about Ulysses S. Grant, this issue of Cobblestone is written for children at about the third to fourth grade levels and is sure to capture their attention.

Welsbacher, Anne. Ulysses S. Grant., Edina, Minn., Abdo, 2001.

With a few exceptions this is overall a high quality book for second to third graders with bright colors, vocabulary words, and an index. Includes material on Grant's presidency and an interesting graphic showing the "seven hats" of the U.S. President.

Williams, Jean Kinney. Ulysses S. Grant., Minneapolis, Minn., Compass Point, 2002.

Accurate and balanced account of Grant's life, his strengths and weaknesses. Includes numerous illustrations, including some of his cabinet members. For grades 4 to 6

Go back to the Grant for Students Page.

Go back to the Ulysses S. Grant Information Center Home Page.

Last revised 05/11/08