Ulysses S. Grant-A Selective Bibliography

Here are listed what the Ulysses S. Grant Information Center believes are the most interesting and readable and least biased of the literally hundreds of books published about Ulysses S. Grant. These books reveal the many facets of the general's life, personality, and career and should get the Grant novice thoroughly into the subject. In chronologic order by date of publication.

Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant, by Ulysses S. Grant. 1885.

"A two volume set written in the last year of Grant's life, it is a model of clarity and simplicity and is considered to be one of the great works of American literature. It covers Grant's early life, his experiences in the Mexican-American War, and concludes with the end of the Civil War."

Campaigning with Grant, by Horace Porter. 1897.

"Lt. Col. Porter, attached to Grant's staff, kept extensive notes on Grant's conversations and actions and turned out an incisive and readable first-hand report."

Ulysses S. Grant, His Life and Character, by Hamlin Garland. 1898.

"Based on interviews with people who knew Grant and other sources, this book by eminent American author Garland is astonishing in its ability to put the reader right into the heart of the 19th century. A crisp, clear, and direct portrait of Grant. One of the best ever written."

The Generalship of Ulysses S. Grant, by J. F. C. Fuller. 1929.

"The author states that few generals-in-chief have suffered greater injustice than Grant. In this book he examines what Grant accomplished as a soldier and how he has not been fully appreciated. 'In Lee, with all his greatness, there something parochial; whilst in Grant there was something cosmic.'"

Captain Sam Grant, by Lloyd Lewis. 1950.

"...the finest study of Grant's early years ... scholarship balanced with straight narrative ... brings Grant very much to life."

U.S. Grant and the American Military Tradition, by Bruce Catton. 1954.

"Written simply yet eloquently, this book brings Grant to life, making plain both the scope of his military achievement and his tragic failure as president. Portrays Grant as a man superbly fitted by character and background for his role as military leader, but as a civilian the very qualities that made him a great soldier proved a liability. An enlightening look at a uniquely American career."

Grant and Lee: a Study in Personality and Generalship, by J. F. C. Fuller. 2nd ed. 1957.

"Rejecting the notion that Grant was a butcher and Lee one of the greatest generals the world has ever seen, the author, a British army officer, magnificently sets the record straight. Contains an appendix showing battles, numbers and losses."

The General's Wife: the Life of Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant, by Ishbel Ross. 1959.

"From its very beginning, the life together of Julia Dent and Ulysses S. Grant was a romance, and so, if this brilliant biography seems a bit on the romantic side, it only reflects its subjects faithfully ... a solid, carefully documented record..."

Grant Moves South, by Bruce Catton. 1960.

"...continues where Lloyd Lewis left off and describes Grant's dogged march to greatness during his two-year drive down the Mississippi."

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

"A varied and revealing collection of photos that paint a poignant picture story of an honest, humble man who was aggressive in defending unity of principle and country. Shows a man greatly loved and himself full of a great love."

The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant, edited by John Y. Simon. 1967-

"An ongoing publication by the Ulysses S.Grant Association of more 200,000 Grant documents incorporating documents from the Civil War, the years of his presidency, and letters written by Grant and to him. A wealth of material, making possible the evaluation of Grant's life and career based on solid evidence rather than rumor and myth."

Grant Takes Command, by Bruce Catton. 1969.

"...tells of Grant's victory at Chattanooga, his promotion to General in Chief and his direction of Union military operations from the Wilderness through Appomattox ... the narrative is fascinating."

The Captain Departs, by Thomas Pitkin. 1973.

"...excellent picture of Grant slogging his way through writing his memoirs with the same determination that he had shown as a military commander."

Many are the Hearts, by Richard Goldhurst. 1975.

"...description of the end of Grant's life provides an epic of determination and courage ... as he completes his massive two-volume memoirs only days before he dies."

The Personal Memoirs of Julia Dent Grant (Mrs. Ulysses S.Grant), by Julia Dent Grant, edited by John Y. Simon. 1975.

"Published for the first time in 1975, the memoirs of Julia Grant reveal the great and enduring love she shared with the general."

The Trial of U.S. Grant, by Charles G. Ellington. 1987.

"Perhaps the best exploration of the drinking question, this book dispels the popular myth that Grant was a drunkard."

Let Us Have Peace: Ulysses S. Grant and the Politics of War and Reconstruction, 1861-1868, by Brooks D. Simpson. 1991.

"Simpson focuses on Grant's political development during the Civil War and Reconstruction and provides useful information not previously available in such detail. Other historians have touched on this aspect of Grant's career, but Simpson's work surpasses them all."

President Grant Reconsidered, by Frank J. Scaturro. 1998.

"Favorable reevaluation of Grant's administration. Scaturro concludes that Grant dealt with many Reconstruction era issues in a firm, decisive manner and played a major role 'in establishing what would become the motivating principle behind a new world order during the next century.'"

Ulysses S. Grant: Triumph Over Adversity, 1822-1865 , by Brooks Simpson. 2000.

"Skillfully written. Grant's life is more fully realized here than in previous one volume studies."

Grant, by Jean Smith. 2001.

"Especially good on Grant's presidency."

A Victor, Not a Butcher,, by Edward H. Bonekemper, III, 2004.

"Magnificent explication of both his strengths and weaknesses."

Ulysses S. Grant, by Josiah Bunting III. 2004.

"Favorable analysis of Grant's presidency."

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