A review by kdawn999
Grant by Ron Chernow

5.0

A tremendous history full of incredible parallels to today’s political divides. My elementary and secondary education (developed by school boards in Southern states) provided predominantly negative talking points on Grant during the Civil war and a scant nothing on his commitment to reconstruction. Rather than framing him as the military genius the world at the time saw him as, my education framed him as a problematic drunk who only won because of Union resources. He was a champion of voting rights for blacks and all ethnic minorities during his presidency and after that. Another storyline I had never been taught about was the development of the clan and their blatant attacks (murders) of blacks and political opponents exercising ANY voting rights. The bloodiness was more than I ever knew before. They also helped foment literal insurrections of state legislatures in the South. If you are an American, you need to supplement your history.