Grant

Viac o knihe

Ulysses S. Grant's life has often been misunderstood, caricatured as a chronic loser or a brutal Union general. These stereotypes fail to capture the complexities of a man whose fortunes fluctuated dramatically. Before the Civil War, Grant struggled with failed business ventures and resigned from the army amid accusations of drunkenness, despite his distinguished service in the Mexican War. However, war revealed his remarkable potential as he rose through the ranks, achieving significant victories at Shiloh and Vicksburg, ultimately defeating Confederate General Robert E. Lee. His military success earned him the trust of President Lincoln, becoming the strategic genius behind the Union's efforts. Grant's fame led to a two-term presidency, which was marred by corruption scandals involving his close associates. Nonetheless, he championed freedom and justice for Black Americans, working to dismantle the Ku Klux Klan and earning the admiration of figures like Frederick Douglass, who hailed him as a protector of his race. After his presidency, Grant faced financial ruin due to a swindler but revived his reputation by collaborating with Mark Twain on his memoirs, now regarded as a literary masterpiece. Ron Chernow weaves these diverse threads together, illuminating the life of a man whom Walt Whitman described as "nothing heroic ... and yet the greatest hero."