American Ulysses: A Life of Ulysses S. Grant
Written by Ronald C. White
Narrated by Arthur Morey
4.5/5
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About this audiobook
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • From the author of A. Lincoln, a major new biography of one of America's greatest generals-and most misunderstood presidents
Finalist for the Gilder-Lehrman Military History Book Prize
In his time, Ulysses S. Grant was routinely grouped with George Washington and Abraham Lincoln in the "Trinity of Great American Leaders." But the battlefield commander-turned-commander-in-chief fell out of favor in the twentieth century. In American Ulysses, Ronald C. White argues that we need to once more revise our estimates of him in the twenty-first.
Based on seven years of research with primary documents-some of them never examined by previous Grant scholars-this is destined to become the Grant biography of our time. White, a biographer exceptionally skilled at writing momentous history from the inside out, shows Grant to be a generous, curious, introspective man and leader-a willing delegator with a natural gift for managing the rampaging egos of his fellow officers. His wife, Julia Dent Grant, long marginalized in the historic record, emerges in her own right as a spirited and influential partner.
Grant was not only a brilliant general but also a passionate defender of equal rights in post-Civil War America. After winning election to the White House in 1868, he used the power of the federal government to battle the Ku Klux Klan. He was the first president to state that the government's policy toward American Indians was immoral, and the first ex-president to embark on a world tour, and he cemented his reputation for courage by racing against death to complete his Personal Memoirs. Published by Mark Twain, it is widely considered to be the greatest autobiography by an American leader, but its place in Grant's life story has never been fully explored-until now.
One of those rare books that successfully recast our impression of an iconic historical figure, American Ulysses gives us a finely honed, three-dimensional portrait of Grant the man-husband, father, leader, writer-that should set the standard by which all future biographies of him will be measured.
Ronald C. White
Ronald C. White Jr. is professor of American Intellectual and Religious History at San Francisco Theological Seminary, as well as the author and editor of five books. He lives in La Cañada, California.
Reviews for American Ulysses
196 ratings24 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A new favorite! Ronald White's biography of Abraham Lincoln was one of my favorite reads of the past few years, and I was very excited to see him come out with this book and picked it up right away. I was not disappointed as I find White's writing style and ability to tell a good story to be outstanding. I personally really enjoy reading about Grant the man and this book does a fantastic job looking at all parts of his amazing life. I think White was fair in addressing criticisms of Grant, although I do acknowledge that at times it seemed as if White felt Grant could do no wrong.
Highly recommended! - Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This is an excellent book - thoroughly researched - providing an in depth look at Grant's personality - never cumbersome or lumbering. The author does not avoid the financial scandals that plagued Grant's second term but he does bring out that Grant was very sensitive to the plight of the newly emancipated African-Americans as well as the Native Americans. Most are very aware and well versed in Gran't military success but this book looks at him as a complete person. In his day most ranked him right up there with Washington and Lincoln. After reading this work I feel he certainly deserves to be placed in the upper echelon of American leaders - both military and civil.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5American Ulysses is a solidly researched biography of Ulysses S. Grant. Grant's birth, education and of course success as a hero of the Civil War are detailed. Much time is also spent covering his Presidency. Often ranked as one of the worst Presidents, Grant is actually a deeply misunderstood figure. While there were scandals in his administration, none were ever linked to him personally and he always took swift action to remove the guilty individual and stamp out the corruption. Also forgotten is that Grant was a champion of civil rights while in the White House and was deeply committed to the enfranchisement, education and safety of the newly freed slaves. It would be one hundred years during the Johnson years before another President would take such a strong civil rights stand. He was also moved by the plight of Native Americans and was committed to bettering their treatment as well. The novel moves beyond these years to cover Grant's post presidential overseas travel with his wife Julia and financial struggles at the end of his life. Considering his life in total, Grant deserves far more recognition and credit for his achievements and ability to own up to and correct the mistakes he did make.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5*I received this book through a GoodReads Giveaway.*I suspect history may be starting to reassess Grant, who I vaguely recall from my high school history class as a less than impressive president surrounded by corruption and unable to influence the course of Reconstruction politics. The Grant presented in this biography is very different - he is a quiet, introverted but very capable leader who effectively led troops into battle and later managed the political maneuvers of the nation's capital. I may not come to regard Grant as highly as Washington or Lincoln, but he certainly has risen in my opinion.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This is a very informative and readable volume on the life of a great American icon. Ronald White did a superb job of taking us through the triumphs and defeats of the man we owe so much to in sustaining our great country. What I liked most about his style in portraying General Grant was the ease he had in narrating the subject making it an enjoyable page turner.What I didn't particularly like was what really bordered on hagiography. Yet in his defense White did state in preface that the work was geared toward balancing and righting the number of bios that tended to the opposite number.The strength of U.S. Grant was how he observed and listened calmly and without prejudice then took decisive action without second thought. This really is what won the war, following the many generals who did the opposite. Yes it cost many Union live, but the mission was accomplished, the Union saved, and justice prevailed. I have often wondered though how different the war would have played out had Lee accepted Lincoln's offer at the beginning.His presidency was of course mired in scandal and understandably though not through his doing certainly aided by his loyalty to those who did not deserve it. Yet over the ages and the many scandals we have seen in government it hardly seemed beyond the pall. Finally his family relationship which meant so much to him through so many years surely is one thing about Grant that is to be admired. How rare it is and how wonderful it made his life and for those he dearly loved.A good and thorough biography of one of our best for the ages.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Simply stunning life -- well captured in this great book. Superb narration.