Ulysses S. Grant
Biography
Ulysses S. Grant (1822–1885) was the eighteenth President of the United States and commanding general of the Union Army during the Civil War. Born in Point Pleasant, Ohio, Grant graduated from West Point and served in the Mexican-American War before leading Union forces to victory in the Civil War. After two terms as president (1869–77), Grant faced financial ruin and was diagnosed with terminal throat cancer. Racing against death, he wrote his Personal Memoirs (1885), which Mark Twain published. The memoirs are widely regarded as the finest military autobiography in the English language and one of the great works of American nonfiction.
Common themes in Ulysses S. Grant's work
American Civil War
A recurring theme throughout Ulysses S. Grant's writing.
Military memoir
A recurring theme throughout Ulysses S. Grant's writing.
Presidential history
A recurring theme throughout Ulysses S. Grant's writing.
Leadership
A recurring theme throughout Ulysses S. Grant's writing.
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Why Ulysses S. Grant is still read today
Grant’s Personal Memoirs are considered the greatest military autobiography in English. Their clarity, honesty, and narrative power make them essential reading for anyone interested in the Civil War or American history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Ulysses S. Grant?
Ulysses S. Grant was the Union commanding general in the Civil War and 18th U.S. President. Read his celebrated memoirs free on TextStack.
Are Grant’s memoirs well-written?
They are considered the finest military autobiography in English. Mark Twain called them a masterpiece, and they remain praised for their clarity and honesty.
Why did Grant write his memoirs?
Facing terminal cancer and financial ruin, he wrote them to provide for his family. He finished them days before his death.
Where can I read Grant’s memoirs online?
TextStack offers Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant free to read online.
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