General Ulysees S. Grant

This book gives a fresh, new look at General Grant's great battlefield successes, before and during the American Civil War, and the effect that his conflicted personality had on his military career. Slight, cigar-chewing and brooding Ulysses S Grant was the general who finally won the war for Lincoln, and later, rode his war-hero status to the White House. When he died, public displays of affection exceeded even those seen at Lincoln's grand funeral. And yet, he is one of the most enigmatic leaders in America's history. Grant's early life showed little indication that the world would ever hear of him. An Ohio tanner's son, Ulysses was small, sensitive and quiet. The other children mistook his shyness for stupidity, nicknaming him "Useless". An outstanding horseman, Grant had an otherwise undistinguished career at West Point. After graduating, he was put in command of infantry divisions but was forced to resign for insubordination to his superiors. After leaving the Army in disgrace, he failed at half a dozen jobs in as many years. Grant's opportunity came when the country went to war and suddenly, experienced officers like Grant were in short supply. Despite what his superior officers thought of him, Grant became an effective commander, leading his unit in several daring and successful attacks, and was eventually promoted to brigadier general. Throughout his career, Grant would be both praised and criticized for his willingness to fight even when it cost a disproportionate number of his soldiers' lives. He was also criticized for his drinking. When Lincoln was approached with complaints about the appalling number of casualties among Grant's men and Grant's alcohol problem, Lincoln responded that a case of whatever Grant was drinking should be sent to all the Union's generals! "I cannot spare this man", Lincoln said, "He fights!" Grant trapped the main Confederate army south of Richmond and forced surrender in April 1865, ending the bloody Civil War. In this new biography of Grant, acclaimed Civil War historian, Edward G Longacre, examines Grant's early life, military training at West Point and his later military career for insights into his great battlefield successes and his personal misfortune. Longacre, to a degree as no other historian has done before, investigates Grant's drinking as well as his devout religious affiliation with temperance movements, and the role these conflicting forces had on his military career and conduct. Longacre's conclusions may surprise readers, but no one will doubt the research and scholarship behind them, and this fascinating new book offers a challenging new perspective on the ever-fascinating life of General Grant.