Just finished. What an incredibly well researched and clearly written book. Chernow’s writing put me there *into* history in a way nothing else ever has. If anyone wants to discuss I would love that!
This was my first book by this author and my 10th finish for the year (goal of 50) and a big personal accomplishment for me- it’s a long book, and took me months; I had to take breaks to read some lighter books and didn’t know if I would finish.
A long summary with my favorite parts and spoilers abound (I mean it’s history it all really happened so):
Grant’s life was a series of extreme ups and downs. He was a nobody who became the most beloved General of the Civil War. He had a brilliant mind for military strategy and was stoic and brave, but hated war and loved peace. As he fought the war he also fought a personal battle against alcoholism. The battle scenes!! I was on the edge of my seat. This book had me wanting to visit Appomattox and other Civil War sites and I have never been interested in that period before!
As he dealt with the personal blow and countrywide repercussions of his close friend Lincoln’s death (while also knowing that if he had accepted the theater invitation he could have either prevented the assassination or been assassinated too, one of my favorite mind blowing details of the book, thankfully Julia Grant really disliked Mary Todd Lincoln lmao) he had to reluctantly ascend to the presidency.
His presidency was fascinating in parts (fighting to dismantle the KKK; at the same time Chernow included a story about one of Grant’s sons bullying a Black student at school – for some reason another detail that really stuck with me) but at this portion of the book I’ll admit I lost interest and skimmed. So many names and dry political details to follow. This book is LONG.
Then the post-presidency world tour – he visited England, Egypt, Japan, China and more, wined and dined by every notable personage of the time along the way, casually engaging in random acts of diplomacy. He saw so much of the world, more than some people would in several lifetimes, all before around age 60! And this man was LOVED. People everywhere, at home and abroad, from both sides of the war, always swarming around him, obsessed. I can’t think of anyone like this today.
Then a fall as dramatic as his ascendency to fame. He unwisely invested with this con artist who lost his life’s savings and left him penniless and in debt. His adult children and far flung relatives, not to mention the investors who trusted the Grant name, lost everything. How can someone with such a brilliant strategic mind be so bafflingly ignorant and naive about business matters? He was someone who innocently trusted in the good of his fellow human beings. The man had no bullshit detector. He couldn’t recognize that the scheme was too good to be true- even though he was a business partner! This part was WILD.
Then, he quickly developed excruciating and at the time incurable throat cancer, panicked and decided the only thing to support his wife after his imminent death would be to write his memoirs. *And he turns out to be an incredible writer*. Mark Twain gave him a great deal to publish that would support Julia (luckily because Grant was about to be swindled by another publisher AGAIN) and Grant pushed through the worsening pain and disability to publish his memoirs, then died peacefully, his last task accomplished.
They say “truth is stranger than fiction” and his life story proves that- you couldn’t make this up, it would sound too fake, too symbolic, too perfect. What a life!
by sssssssssssssssssssw
2 Comments
If you like Chernow then read Titan
Bravo on finishing, and i share your enjoyment of the rich details.
I think that humans are wired to want to build up their leaders into god-like icons, instead of recognizing their shared humanity, including faults and quirks. This biography did a great job of showing an extraordinary person with all his faults and merits.
My favorite bits were about how Grant loved animals, and had to eat his meat extremely well done because he hated the sight of blood. About how during the Mexican American war he was sent out to hunt turkeys but came back with nothing because he spent the entire time wondering where the turkeys lived, and what they ate. Also, how as a general during the Civil War, Grant saw a soldier abusing a horse and had the soldier flogged.
It was also heartening to hear that despite an earlier ban on Jewish traders travelling with his army due to perceived profiteering, he later became one of the first sitting presidents to visit a synagogue.
If you have read his autobiography, I highly recommend it. he’s a great writer. many people accused mark twain of ghost writing it because the prose was so clear and direct.