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karinlib's review against another edition
5.0
As others have stated U.S. Grant wrote his memoirs to provide for his family. As typical of Grant, he had poured a lot of money into a bad investment and he lost everything. Knowing Grant needed the money, and that he was dying of throat cancer, Mark Twain encouraged him to write his memoirs. What we find here is a very readable account of Grant's early life and a very detailed account of his involvement in the American Civil War.
According to some, Grant was a man of few words, so he was judged at times as not very intelligent (and certainly not a good business man), but from these memoirs, one can tell just how great a commander he was, a very smart tactician. If it weren't for Grant and William Tecumseh Sherman, the war might of gone on for several more years.
Yes, some parts were tedious, where he describes troop formations, etc. I am very glad I read this.
According to some, Grant was a man of few words, so he was judged at times as not very intelligent (and certainly not a good business man), but from these memoirs, one can tell just how great a commander he was, a very smart tactician. If it weren't for Grant and William Tecumseh Sherman, the war might of gone on for several more years.
Yes, some parts were tedious, where he describes troop formations, etc. I am very glad I read this.
mepitts's review
5.0
While sometimes it’s difficult to follow the military actions of a huge cast of characters the humanity and insights about Lincoln, Stanton, Sherman and others shines through this classic American autobiography. Even so, it’s almost overshadowed by the back story of Grants heroic use of the last months of his life to write this book in the hopes of providing financial support for his wife and family. Long, sometimes a bit too detailed for my tastes, but still an amazing read. Highest recommendation
shevek's review
4.0
Sort of a hard book to rate—as a unique historical and literary artifact, it certainly merits the highest rating available. Grant has an enjoyable voice and is extremely lucid in his descriptions of events. Of course, the book is narrow in the sense that it will only appeal not only to those who have a strong interest in the American Civil War, but really only to those very interested in the military history of its campaigns. And even for those, there's the issue of the way the book bogs down once it hits the Wilderness campaign—partly a product of Grant's illness when writing this section, partly due to the fact that he had become supreme commander and had lots more logistical decisions to catalog. This is a general weakness of the book, really—Grant is focused on setting the record straight with regard to every event surrounding his campaigns, no matter how minor, and at times (mostly during the Wilderness campaign), the overall narrative gets completely lost in the accounting. But still, this is a commendable book, and the first 1/2 or so of it is truly excellent. I've learned a lot of things from reading it, and not just in the sense of knowing more historical facts. This was the book that started me on my mild obsession with the Civil War, and I imagine it will continue to launch people on that journey for a long time to come.
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