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tomrrandall's review against another edition
5.0
A little too apologetic for Grant's (few) failures with Reconstruction and Native American policies, but otherwise as good as advertised.
marysasala's review against another edition
5.0
Ron Chernow is the best biographer I've ever read. His look at Grant does not disappoint. Grant is a man I've read about a lot in military histories, this personal look dispels many myths and vaults the man back to his rightful place in American history. Yes, he militarily saved the Union. But as president he was a huge supporter of new black citizens and allowing the opportunity to thrive. Did his dreams and goals die after he left offixe, yes. But while he held the helm the country experienced integration.
Chernow gives you such a personal loom at the historical characters. You really feel like you know what sitting and eating dinner would be like with his subjects. Yet he does not shy away from their faults.
This book is long but 100 percent worth it.
Chernow gives you such a personal loom at the historical characters. You really feel like you know what sitting and eating dinner would be like with his subjects. Yet he does not shy away from their faults.
This book is long but 100 percent worth it.
jbzar's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! That was a book (maybe 3). Hats off to Chernow for his thoroughness of research and retelling. Yes, I found some of the details awfully granular. And there may have been points made and re-made in ways that weren’t entirely necessary. But for me this wasn’t a book that I had to be hyper-focused on every paragraph. That said, I am signficantly better informed about Grant and his period of history than I was before picking the book up. For that, I’m thankful to the author. I finished the book believing that time and effort it took to absorb the material was a worthwhile investment.
kodathedog's review against another edition
4.0
Should be required reading in schools. I feel let down that I didn't learn this important part of history in school.
shanellewrites's review against another edition
4.5
For me, this book is exactly what a biography should be. The research is impeccable, the writing is clear, the narrative is well-formed. I actually cried a little bit at the end reading about Grant's death, which has never happened in any other biography I've read. It is very long, but I would heartily recommend this book to anyone with even a vague interest in biography or US history. It is a truly outstanding example of the form, and I don't know what higher praise I can give it.
ilovestory's review against another edition
3.0
Listened to this as an audio book, and I would have loved to have had the hard copy of the book to flip back to from time to time to keep track of some names. I think I would have loved the hardback better. But while I didn't think it was an enthralling as Hamilton, it did change my perspective of Grant and of the Reconstruction. It was informative and interesting but did drag a little.
turtlesallthewaydown's review against another edition
The first 100 pages were interesting but I just can't do 1,100 pages. I should have realized how long it was before I started.
bupdaddy's review
5.0
A complex and compelling portrait of a complex, compelling man.
I think it speaks volumes that when, at the end of his life, news of his cancer became known, Jefferson Davis sent him a telegram. After he died, Union generals William Sherman and Phillip Sheridan were honorary pallbearers, but so were Confederate generals Joseph Johnston and Simon Bolivar Buckner. The funeral procession included both Union and Confederate units.
His flaw was probably being too good for this world. He simply was unable to grasp that most people were not as honorable as him, and his personal fortunes and his presidency were crippled by his being a mark, a magnet - for unscrupulous people.
I hope Lin Manuel Miranda makes his next project a Greek tragedy, hip-hop stage production of this most American story.
I think it speaks volumes that when, at the end of his life, news of his cancer became known, Jefferson Davis sent him a telegram. After he died, Union generals William Sherman and Phillip Sheridan were honorary pallbearers, but so were Confederate generals Joseph Johnston and Simon Bolivar Buckner. The funeral procession included both Union and Confederate units.
His flaw was probably being too good for this world. He simply was unable to grasp that most people were not as honorable as him, and his personal fortunes and his presidency were crippled by his being a mark, a magnet - for unscrupulous people.
I hope Lin Manuel Miranda makes his next project a Greek tragedy, hip-hop stage production of this most American story.
embchess's review against another edition
1.0
In the first few chapters of the book Chernow makes clear: Grant was an alcoholic and lousy in business. Unfortunately, Chernow makes the same points over and over. Grant’s relationship with his father and in-laws looms large but the biographical import is never pulled through. An assumption is made that the prevailing political parties are well understood. In short, the rich descriptions and insights in Chernow’s Washington and Hamilton are lost here. Unfortunately, its tenure on my reading list was short too as I ultimately put the book down.