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The General’s Wife: The Life of Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant
An excellent and diligently researched biography of Julia Boggs Dent Grant (1826-1902), the wife of the 18th President of the United States, Ulysses S. Grant, and First Lady of the United States from 1869 to 1877."Behind every successful man there stands a woman." This maxim was never truer than with Ulysses S. Grant and his wife, Julia. An active participant in presidential matters, The First Lady was widely regarded to possess tremendous strength of character, sharing in the mixed fortunes of her husband, promoting his welfare, loved and cared for her family, and fulfilled her patriotic duty as First Lady."Ulysses and Julia Grant were a profoundly united couple, and so it is not easy to make a clear distinction between his life and hers. The two loved and needed each other. ... It is very pleasant to get to know Julia Grant, who, in her devotion, was one of the more potent women in American history." The Saturday Review.
168 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1959
341 people are currently reading
308 people want to read
About the author
Ishbel Ross
62 books3 followersIshbel Ross, journalist and biographer, spent her childhood in the Highlands of Scotland, living only ten miles from industrialist Andrew Carnegie's castle. Later in life she recalled her childhood in terms of watching the comings and goings of Carnegie's famous guests and reading classic literature.
In 1916, Ross left Scotland and moved to Canada where she landed a filing job at the Toronto Daily News. Ross, who would later be considered "New York's best woman reporter," needed no more than six weeks to move up the newspaper's ranks from clerical worker to reporter with a front-page headline and a byline to her credit, after getting the scoop on Emmeline Pankhurst's visit to Canada.
In 1919, she joined the New York Tribune (later the Herald Tribune). While covering the infamous Stillman divorce, she met and fell in love with Bruce Rae, who was reporting on the case for the New York Times. The two married in Montreal in 1922 and had one daughter. After their marriage Ross and Rae continued working for rival newspapers and frequently covered the same stories. The couple made a point of balancing high professional standards and married life.
In 1932 Ross published her first novel, Promenade Deck. Encouraged by its success, Ross left the Tribune to pursue a career as a novelist. Although Ross wrote four more novels, her work as a biographer ultimately overshadowed her career as a novelist. Ross first turned to biography when Stanley Walker, city editor at the Tribune, suggested that she write a book about famous women journalists. Her Ladies of the Press traced women's roles in print journalism, covering the range from stunt reporters and "sob sisters" to social crusaders, foreign correspondents, and editors in chief.
Ross went on to complete eighteen more works of nonfiction, most of which considered the lives of famous American women. Ross was drawn to women who led unconventional lives. She wrote about women who had exciting careers, such as physician Elizabeth Blackwell; the founder of the American Red Cross, Clara Barton; and Confederate spy Rose O'Neal Greenhow.
Ross emphasized the importance and complexity of women's lives. By achieving success as a journalist
and biographer, by balancing marriage and professional ambition, Ross herself led a life much like those she deemed worthy of study.
- excerpted from American National Biography, referenced at: http://h-net.msu.edu/cgi-bin/logbrows...
In 1916, Ross left Scotland and moved to Canada where she landed a filing job at the Toronto Daily News. Ross, who would later be considered "New York's best woman reporter," needed no more than six weeks to move up the newspaper's ranks from clerical worker to reporter with a front-page headline and a byline to her credit, after getting the scoop on Emmeline Pankhurst's visit to Canada.
In 1919, she joined the New York Tribune (later the Herald Tribune). While covering the infamous Stillman divorce, she met and fell in love with Bruce Rae, who was reporting on the case for the New York Times. The two married in Montreal in 1922 and had one daughter. After their marriage Ross and Rae continued working for rival newspapers and frequently covered the same stories. The couple made a point of balancing high professional standards and married life.
In 1932 Ross published her first novel, Promenade Deck. Encouraged by its success, Ross left the Tribune to pursue a career as a novelist. Although Ross wrote four more novels, her work as a biographer ultimately overshadowed her career as a novelist. Ross first turned to biography when Stanley Walker, city editor at the Tribune, suggested that she write a book about famous women journalists. Her Ladies of the Press traced women's roles in print journalism, covering the range from stunt reporters and "sob sisters" to social crusaders, foreign correspondents, and editors in chief.
Ross went on to complete eighteen more works of nonfiction, most of which considered the lives of famous American women. Ross was drawn to women who led unconventional lives. She wrote about women who had exciting careers, such as physician Elizabeth Blackwell; the founder of the American Red Cross, Clara Barton; and Confederate spy Rose O'Neal Greenhow.
Ross emphasized the importance and complexity of women's lives. By achieving success as a journalist
and biographer, by balancing marriage and professional ambition, Ross herself led a life much like those she deemed worthy of study.
- excerpted from American National Biography, referenced at: http://h-net.msu.edu/cgi-bin/logbrows...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
July 16, 2025
The General's Wife by Ishbel Ross is entertaining and easy to read. It is historically accurate with respect to US history. However, the lifelong impairment of her vision which made both reading and writing very difficult for Julia Dent Grant, severely reduced the author's ability to recreate her thinking or her manner of communicating or even to judge accurately what her private thoughts were during the different periods of her life. This left a gap that Ms. Ross worked hard to fill with an astonishing variety of quotes from her family, friends and acquaintances, who were found at every level of achievement, across the country and the world.
Itt is apparent that Julia was thought by all who knew her to be a kind, generous, likable person, with great energy and stamina, sharp intuition, a talent for remaining calm in all situations. She was a successful and loving wife, whether her husband was at the bottom or the top of the totem pole.
The President's Wife was an entertaining and informative supplement to the biography of Ulysses S Grant that I read recently, adding to my understanding of his personality as well as her own. I am grateful to my niece for suggesting it to me.
Itt is apparent that Julia was thought by all who knew her to be a kind, generous, likable person, with great energy and stamina, sharp intuition, a talent for remaining calm in all situations. She was a successful and loving wife, whether her husband was at the bottom or the top of the totem pole.
The President's Wife was an entertaining and informative supplement to the biography of Ulysses S Grant that I read recently, adding to my understanding of his personality as well as her own. I am grateful to my niece for suggesting it to me.
June 1, 2019
Well written book, well documented, about two amazing people whose love never ended. Even the sad end, as all biographies must have was uplifting and outstanding. Packed with details about so many historical figures, I found the book educational without being dull, informative but not stuffy. Grant and his wife were good people, totally devoted to each other, protective but not domineering. They raised good children in trying times who went on to raise their own children well.
The one sad note was the media and the politicians were dirty even then, making false reports, trying to harm persons made famous by trying times. We haven't learned that journalists and politicians should be held to account for unproven and downright false reporting of the facts. News reporters shouldn't be allowed to torment the families and friends of famous people to "get a scoop". We seem to take for granted that if you are famous, a lack of privacy goes with the territory. Fortunately, the Grants were able to rise above the lies and false innuendos of the time but the biggest hurts might have been the betrayal by persons they thought were their friends, people they trusted personally and financially.
Whether they had little or much, they enjoyed life and each others company. A true "for better or for worse" story.
The one sad note was the media and the politicians were dirty even then, making false reports, trying to harm persons made famous by trying times. We haven't learned that journalists and politicians should be held to account for unproven and downright false reporting of the facts. News reporters shouldn't be allowed to torment the families and friends of famous people to "get a scoop". We seem to take for granted that if you are famous, a lack of privacy goes with the territory. Fortunately, the Grants were able to rise above the lies and false innuendos of the time but the biggest hurts might have been the betrayal by persons they thought were their friends, people they trusted personally and financially.
Whether they had little or much, they enjoyed life and each others company. A true "for better or for worse" story.
October 25, 2019
I read this on a recommendation of a friend. The author reiterated much of which I knew about Grant, his humility, and his failures at just about everything in his early adult years with the exception of the one job he disliked—being a soldier. The book goes in-depth about his personal and family life. I learned he loved his family and often had them at his camp during the war, and that prior to that time, his father viewed him as a failure and often let him know it. However, once “Ulys” became a general, the man couldn’t brag about his son enough.
I’d always heard Grant was an alcoholic, but that may not be accurate. Several men accused him of intemperance, but those closest to him reported he rarely touched alcohol. He was cleared of the accusations on a couple occasions (so far in the book.) On the subject of journalists, he disliked them as they often twisted the truth, rarely in his favor. He suffered from migraines and had one shortly before Lee surrendered.
And yes, the book talks about Julia Dent Grant as well. Though she was plain looking, as the author pointed out, Ulysses adored her as much as she adored him, regardless of their wealth, or lack thereof, or situation. She was a bright, capable woman who stood by Grant’s side, even camping with him during the war.
There are some typos in the Kindle version, but that doesn't stop this from being a good read.
I’d always heard Grant was an alcoholic, but that may not be accurate. Several men accused him of intemperance, but those closest to him reported he rarely touched alcohol. He was cleared of the accusations on a couple occasions (so far in the book.) On the subject of journalists, he disliked them as they often twisted the truth, rarely in his favor. He suffered from migraines and had one shortly before Lee surrendered.
And yes, the book talks about Julia Dent Grant as well. Though she was plain looking, as the author pointed out, Ulysses adored her as much as she adored him, regardless of their wealth, or lack thereof, or situation. She was a bright, capable woman who stood by Grant’s side, even camping with him during the war.
There are some typos in the Kindle version, but that doesn't stop this from being a good read.
July 26, 2019
5 🌟
What a beautifully written real life love story! This book was so well researched that after I finished reading it I went back to the copywrite page to see if it was written immediately after Mrs Grant's death. Which it wasn't. The book begins briefly before the couple met and continues throughout their courtship, Ulysses S Grant's early army career. Their early marriage, children and a brief period of civilian life. From the time the couple met, until their deaths they were totally devoted to each other and their four children. The whole history of the civil war and the time spent in the White House all lay claim to the devotion this couple shared. The book was beautifully written and a joy to read. I highly recommend this book to everyone. It is a piece of history.
What a beautifully written real life love story! This book was so well researched that after I finished reading it I went back to the copywrite page to see if it was written immediately after Mrs Grant's death. Which it wasn't. The book begins briefly before the couple met and continues throughout their courtship, Ulysses S Grant's early army career. Their early marriage, children and a brief period of civilian life. From the time the couple met, until their deaths they were totally devoted to each other and their four children. The whole history of the civil war and the time spent in the White House all lay claim to the devotion this couple shared. The book was beautifully written and a joy to read. I highly recommend this book to everyone. It is a piece of history.
March 3, 2019
For a non-fiction book this one was very readable. I honestly did not no much about General Grant and nothing about Mrs. Grant, so I learned many things. It is suppose to be a book about Julia but it’s definitely about Grant too. She came from a slave owning family but wholly took to Grant’s politics. She was often at Civil War battles with her children. The connection between the Grants and Sherman’s lasted their lifetime. It is well worth reading if you like history at all. It has several errors, grammatically, speaking, on the Kindle Edition, but that didn’t bother me too much.
July 26, 2019
Very interesting story....lots of everday details, some a bit superfluous, the most unexpected part was how Julia was able to follow and stay close to her hero husband during the war(s). Their love and devotion to one another was so extra-ordinary given what we know about military life today! Grant also suffered some of the very hostile political battles that rage today...history does repeat itself! The end of the story was very touching...and apparently they are both buried in Grant's tomb!
July 5, 2018
Surprising
A surprising look into the private life of a president and his family. Some redundant details unless you're an historian.
But nonetheless, still an interesting book. General Grant remained a family man, and despite his fame, kept them as his priority.
A surprising look into the private life of a president and his family. Some redundant details unless you're an historian.
But nonetheless, still an interesting book. General Grant remained a family man, and despite his fame, kept them as his priority.
November 28, 2019
An excellent read about an extraordinary lady. She was born into a well to do family that had slaves and went on to marry a man her father was against. Laid against the civil war background and reconstruction period, an interesting read that describes the times, fashions and emotions ruling the USA at that time. Well worth the read!
May 16, 2018
A couple's life of public service
A wonderful review of General Grant's family life and how he merged career with it, while winning military victories and retaining respect of all.
A wonderful review of General Grant's family life and how he merged career with it, while winning military victories and retaining respect of all.
September 26, 2018
The life of a man on the rise
A good insight to the rise of a great man and his character as it developed. Behind him in support and trust was a understanding and enabling woman, wife and mother.
A good insight to the rise of a great man and his character as it developed. Behind him in support and trust was a understanding and enabling woman, wife and mother.
October 23, 2018
A trip through time
A great read about a time long past. A little too much repetitive detail about outfits that people wore but the stories about General Grant make him come back to like. The next time I go through New York city, I am going to stop and pay my respect at his toumb
A great read about a time long past. A little too much repetitive detail about outfits that people wore but the stories about General Grant make him come back to like. The next time I go through New York city, I am going to stop and pay my respect at his toumb
November 4, 2018
Good in-depth book
I very much enjoyed this book and the in-depth look at the relationship between Ulysses and Julia. They really did compliment each other. Dedicated to each other throughout their lives. Last two sentences in the book are a perfect statement.
I very much enjoyed this book and the in-depth look at the relationship between Ulysses and Julia. They really did compliment each other. Dedicated to each other throughout their lives. Last two sentences in the book are a perfect statement.
January 23, 2019
To love, honor and obey
The Grants demonstrated absolute love, respect and devotion to each other through all the stages of their life together. A beautiful story. An amazing couple.
The Grants demonstrated absolute love, respect and devotion to each other through all the stages of their life together. A beautiful story. An amazing couple.
May 23, 2019
Interesting Biography
Thorough account of Julia Grant's remarkable life. I enjoyed learning the details of Grants' Presidency and the invaluable support Julia gave to him. They truly had a strong love for one another.I
Thorough account of Julia Grant's remarkable life. I enjoyed learning the details of Grants' Presidency and the invaluable support Julia gave to him. They truly had a strong love for one another.I
May 30, 2019
Well written
A great biography of Mrs. Grant. This book brings behind the scenes looks at life in America when it was young. How officers an their families were treated. You really get to know the whole family and the dynamics that made them great.
A great biography of Mrs. Grant. This book brings behind the scenes looks at life in America when it was young. How officers an their families were treated. You really get to know the whole family and the dynamics that made them great.
June 13, 2019
Fascinating read
A quite readable story of the life of the president and his wife. A way to learn about both the day to day life and workings and the dress of the time as well as the political life of Grant.
A quite readable story of the life of the president and his wife. A way to learn about both the day to day life and workings and the dress of the time as well as the political life of Grant.
August 12, 2019
I give 4 stars, because of editing
With property attention to the details, this would be a 5 star review. Give it a chance to entertain and educate you about this interesting and important time in history.
With property attention to the details, this would be a 5 star review. Give it a chance to entertain and educate you about this interesting and important time in history.
November 20, 2019
A fairly good bio of a lesser-feted first lady. She as quite important to the general's well-being, and this volume brings that out. The drinking allegations get a different treatment here. A couple of downsides: no pictures or drawings included and the Kindle edition has numerous typos.
December 6, 2020
Step back in time....
What an amazing story about the Grant family? It’s hard to believe how they loved and lived through all their ups and downs. This was very interesting to say the least! You got to read it. It’s History!
What an amazing story about the Grant family? It’s hard to believe how they loved and lived through all their ups and downs. This was very interesting to say the least! You got to read it. It’s History!
December 10, 2024
Wonderful Book
The lives of two people who loved each other so much, and meant so much to history is a great tale for future generations. She was inspiring then and she is an inspiration now. Her humbleness made her a great lady, her lover for her husband made her a soul mate.
The lives of two people who loved each other so much, and meant so much to history is a great tale for future generations. She was inspiring then and she is an inspiration now. Her humbleness made her a great lady, her lover for her husband made her a soul mate.
August 10, 2018
Julia Dent was quite a lady.
Very interesting. If you enjoy history and biography you will enjoy this. I learned things about her I did not know.
Very interesting. If you enjoy history and biography you will enjoy this. I learned things about her I did not know.
December 12, 2018
This is an impressive biography, filled with detail. While it is longer than I expected and often filled with references I felt were too excessive, I found it very readable!
June 10, 2019
Interesting and well written.
I learned a lot and have even more respect for the Grants than I did before. The presentation was interesting and not dry like many history books.
I learned a lot and have even more respect for the Grants than I did before. The presentation was interesting and not dry like many history books.
July 29, 2019
This is a thorough,carefully done work. I enjoyed seeing a well known life from another direction. Enjoy!
August 20, 2019
Well written
Interesting overview of Grants life viewed from his family life while following his military career. An entertaining and easy read.
Interesting overview of Grants life viewed from his family life while following his military career. An entertaining and easy read.
September 9, 2019
A good womsn
Interesting overview of the life of what could be considered a secondary American icon. She was, in fact, a major player in her time.
Interesting overview of the life of what could be considered a secondary American icon. She was, in fact, a major player in her time.
May 9, 2020
This could have been shorter...but enjoyed reading of this loving, devoted couple. It also was a wonderful insight to the General.
October 7, 2021
Mr. and Mrs. Grant. An admirable couple who dealt with life and war and kept love alive.
May 29, 2022
Power behind the scene
I enjoyed how this showed Julia as loving and stone cold. Everyone knows of the presidents so this was a nice change in view of family life.
I enjoyed how this showed Julia as loving and stone cold. Everyone knows of the presidents so this was a nice change in view of family life.
June 6, 2019
Outstanding
A wonderful tribute to an inspiring woman. Julia Dent Grant was a woman that many woman can look to as an example of real humanity and courage.
A wonderful tribute to an inspiring woman. Julia Dent Grant was a woman that many woman can look to as an example of real humanity and courage.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews