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sam2085's review against another edition
5.0
Grant is one of the more underrated presidents in American history, and Chernow brings the proper attention to his accomplishments and personality. The reader is persuaded that Grant was a humble person who almost effortlessly was consistently honest and honorable. Grant strategized intelligently to save the Union, end slavery, and ensure true citizenship for African-Americans. Importantly, Grant should be faulted for his failure to stop white genocide against Native Americans or expand suffrage to women. The author does a fine job illustrating these points.
Of special interest is Grant’s presidency. He momentarily crushed the Klan, supported Black voting rights, took political heat for enforcing those rights, and was an early advocate of public schools. Grant’s failures in administration can often be reduced to his inability to detect dishonesty among his close advisors. One lesson to draw for naturally honest and trusting leaders is to be especially discerning in whom one selects for delegates tasks and advice.
The only areas for improvement are a future addition that removes some of the lengthier, adjective-heavy descriptions of the faces of minor characters and a little greater specific context on the culture generally and political events specifically would be nice.
Of special interest is Grant’s presidency. He momentarily crushed the Klan, supported Black voting rights, took political heat for enforcing those rights, and was an early advocate of public schools. Grant’s failures in administration can often be reduced to his inability to detect dishonesty among his close advisors. One lesson to draw for naturally honest and trusting leaders is to be especially discerning in whom one selects for delegates tasks and advice.
The only areas for improvement are a future addition that removes some of the lengthier, adjective-heavy descriptions of the faces of minor characters and a little greater specific context on the culture generally and political events specifically would be nice.
lazy_raven's review against another edition
2.0
Wow. This was a slog to get through. I opted for the audiobook and got halfway through before I realized it was 48 hours long. Dont get me wrong it was very informative. To the extent of every war correspondence, news paper headline, and political accusation. It could have been 3 books Grant the man, Grant the General, and Grant the President. Also if he were still alive his password would be 1234.
jobyrne's review against another edition
Fascinating, but really long. Listened to this in the audiobook format and I definitely zoned out through some of the battles.
marieintheraw's review against another edition
4.0
Far more fascinating than I would have assumed it could have been based on the page length. Plus my expectations were adjusted due to my previous readings of Chernow, who flows based on contextual importance at times not always in sequential order, but always brings it around in the end.
treylusk's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
2.5
Ron Chernow took his love for US grant and turned it up to 11. The book was so positive on the man and his career that it bordered on propaganda. It is written as a straightforward biography and not an analysis, but it has all the angles of an analysis without much of the charm and character other biographies have had.
This book could as well have been titled "Grant's drinking" because for every one war story there were 25 paragraphs dedicated to differing accounts of presidential benders.
It also did a poor job of explaining the political world that grant existed in using terms like war democrats and whig and expecting the reader to understand meaningfully the distinctions. To a Layman like me it is difficul to understand what about the democrats in the 1860s would draw union generals like Mcclellen and the author did not provide meaningful insights into that.
The book is thorough otherwise and I appreciate taking time to get Grant's view on many of the issues of the time
This book could as well have been titled "Grant's drinking" because for every one war story there were 25 paragraphs dedicated to differing accounts of presidential benders.
It also did a poor job of explaining the political world that grant existed in using terms like war democrats and whig and expecting the reader to understand meaningfully the distinctions. To a Layman like me it is difficul to understand what about the democrats in the 1860s would draw union generals like Mcclellen and the author did not provide meaningful insights into that.
The book is thorough otherwise and I appreciate taking time to get Grant's view on many of the issues of the time
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Death
ekarpinski's review against another edition
3.0
Chernow lets modern sensibilities color too much of his commentary sometimes, and editorializes on controversies instead of comparing different accounts.
nschilling10's review against another edition
4.0
Great book. Actually reads more like a novel than a stuffy history book. In the beginning it seems like you're going to get more of Grant the person; a window into his soul and reasons for why he did what he did. We get some of that in the beginning and maybe toward the end, but the middle is mostly just a description of what Grant did. But oh boy did Grant do a lot of things! He oversaw one of the most dynamic and transient periods of history in the US since it's founding; from the Civil War through reconstruction to the start of the Gilded age. Though I disagree with his some of his political decisions I do respect him.
This author also judges Grant by modern standards, as opposed to standards at the time. Which is refreshing! I think it makes Grant all the more interesting because he's ahead of his time, especially in his treatment of black people, jewish people, and others.
This author also judges Grant by modern standards, as opposed to standards at the time. Which is refreshing! I think it makes Grant all the more interesting because he's ahead of his time, especially in his treatment of black people, jewish people, and others.
dale_kooyenga's review against another edition
4.0
Always enjoy Chernow. The book does Grant's legacy justice and clarified many misconceptions and general dismisal of this great man. It can't top Grant's auto-biography, but neither is it fair to compare. Grant covers little of his presidency or youth and Chernow does a great job of covering every period of Grant's life. My son is named after General Grant so I am biased. I beleive Grant is a great American and this is a great book.