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Grant at 200: Reconsidering the Life and Legacy of Ulysses S. Grant
Proceeds from this volume will go to support the Ulysses S. Grant Association and the Grant Monument Association.
Ulysses S. Grant stood at the center of the American Civil War maelstrom. The Ohio native answered his nation’s call to service and finished the war as a lieutenant general in command of the U.S. Army. Four years later, he ascended to the presidency to better secure the peace he had helped win on the battlefield. Despite his major achievements in war and peace, political and sectional enemies battered his reputation. For nearly a century, his military and political career remained deeply misunderstood.
Since the Civil War centennial, however, Grant’s reputation has blossomed into a full renaissance. His military record garners new respect and, more recently, an appreciation for his political career—particularly his strong advocacy for equal rights—is quickly catching up.
Throughout these decades, his personal memoirs marking him as a significant American “Man of Letters” have never gone out of print. Grant at 200: Reconsidering the Life and Legacy of Ulysses S. Grant celebrates the bicentennial of the birth of a man whose towering impact on American history has often been overshadowed and, in many cases, ignored. This collection of essays by some of today’s leading Grant scholars offers fresh perspectives on Grant’s military career and presidency, as well as underexplored personal topics such as his faith and family life.
Ulysses S. Grant stood at the center of the American Civil War maelstrom. The Ohio native answered his nation’s call to service and finished the war as a lieutenant general in command of the U.S. Army. Four years later, he ascended to the presidency to better secure the peace he had helped win on the battlefield. Despite his major achievements in war and peace, political and sectional enemies battered his reputation. For nearly a century, his military and political career remained deeply misunderstood.
Since the Civil War centennial, however, Grant’s reputation has blossomed into a full renaissance. His military record garners new respect and, more recently, an appreciation for his political career—particularly his strong advocacy for equal rights—is quickly catching up.
Throughout these decades, his personal memoirs marking him as a significant American “Man of Letters” have never gone out of print. Grant at 200: Reconsidering the Life and Legacy of Ulysses S. Grant celebrates the bicentennial of the birth of a man whose towering impact on American history has often been overshadowed and, in many cases, ignored. This collection of essays by some of today’s leading Grant scholars offers fresh perspectives on Grant’s military career and presidency, as well as underexplored personal topics such as his faith and family life.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published January 17, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
December 22, 2023
This collection of essays presents our 18th president in a new light. The topics covered include his military career, presidential administration, and postwar battle fighting the cancer that would eventually claim his life. The book is well balanced; it begins with his birth and ends with an essay about the upkeep of his tomb. Proceeds from the sale of this book are being donated to furthering the efforts to rehabilitate Grant's Tomb in New York City. A very worthy effort.
October 7, 2024
This was a solid collection of essays taking a look at the life and legacy of Ulysses S. Grant on the occasion of his 200th birthday in 2022. Most of the essays were solid and presented interesting arguments and information. I greatly admire Grant as a leader and this book is one of several in the past few years that has been slowly setting the record straight and giving Grant his much deserved place as one of the great American military minds and one of the better president's. Very much enjoyed.
February 3, 2025
This is the first book of the Grant Cottage Book Club list for this year. It contains essays written by various Grant scholars on various aspects of his life. These writers set out to stridently defend Grant's historical reputation and do so convincingly.
I grew up surrounded by people ready to question Grant. Not as obviously revered as Lincoln or as openly religious as many Confederate leaders, conservative Christian circles were ready to accept the Lost Cause narrative that he was a drunk who got lucky because of having superior resources and a naive politician who became a terrible president. Despite these influences, I found myself drawn to Grant, never quite able to believe the worst of him--as a person, a general, or a President. When the recent historical renaissance began, I saw that my childhood opinions had the weight of facts behind them. Frank Scatturo's strident defense of Grant's Presidency and scorching call for renewed attention to Grant's Tomb stand out in this volume, which the Grant afficionado will find useful. Unfortunately, watching his life's work get ripped down in a matter of days by a careless, unworthy successor leads me to say, sadly, as I put it down, "I'm sorry, General. You deserved better."
I grew up surrounded by people ready to question Grant. Not as obviously revered as Lincoln or as openly religious as many Confederate leaders, conservative Christian circles were ready to accept the Lost Cause narrative that he was a drunk who got lucky because of having superior resources and a naive politician who became a terrible president. Despite these influences, I found myself drawn to Grant, never quite able to believe the worst of him--as a person, a general, or a President. When the recent historical renaissance began, I saw that my childhood opinions had the weight of facts behind them. Frank Scatturo's strident defense of Grant's Presidency and scorching call for renewed attention to Grant's Tomb stand out in this volume, which the Grant afficionado will find useful. Unfortunately, watching his life's work get ripped down in a matter of days by a careless, unworthy successor leads me to say, sadly, as I put it down, "I'm sorry, General. You deserved better."
October 16, 2024
Grant at 200: Reconsidering the life and legacy of Ulysses S. Grant - edited by Chris Mackowski and Frank J Scaturro
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After two centuries of misinformation and lost cause mythology, recent years have seen a revival in viewing our 18th president, Ulysses Grant, in a more positive light with more and more books and publications giving Grant the credit that he surely deserves. This book is a collection of essays from the leading Grant scholars and enthusiasts of our time who are looking to help cement the legacy of Ulysses S Grant as one of our greatest men in the pantheon of American history. Grant should be viewed as one of our nations top five civil rights presidents, championing the 15th amendment which protected and guaranteed black voting rights. Grant established the department of justice to investigate and pursue criminal activity in the south against freed slaves and their white allies. Grant also passed the KKK act to fight the klan with all of the resources of the federal government including the military. In 1875 Grant passed the first civil rights act that outlawed racial discrimination in public transportation and allowed blacks on juries. This legacy would all be undone after the election of 1876 with a compromise for Hayes to become president in a virtually tied election with Samuel Tilden as long as Hayes ended reconstruction in the south. It will be very difficult to erase two centuries of bias by lost cause southerners (and northerners) against Grant but things are slowly coming around in his favor. Read this book to see all sides of Grant and why he deserves so much better from the republic that he saved as commanding General.
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#ulyssessgrant #generalgrant #usgrant #federal #unitedstates #unionarmy #civilwar #civilwarhistory #civilrights #president #presidentialhistory #reconstruction #south #north #generalgrantnationalmemorial #grantcottage #nationalparkservice
.
.
After two centuries of misinformation and lost cause mythology, recent years have seen a revival in viewing our 18th president, Ulysses Grant, in a more positive light with more and more books and publications giving Grant the credit that he surely deserves. This book is a collection of essays from the leading Grant scholars and enthusiasts of our time who are looking to help cement the legacy of Ulysses S Grant as one of our greatest men in the pantheon of American history. Grant should be viewed as one of our nations top five civil rights presidents, championing the 15th amendment which protected and guaranteed black voting rights. Grant established the department of justice to investigate and pursue criminal activity in the south against freed slaves and their white allies. Grant also passed the KKK act to fight the klan with all of the resources of the federal government including the military. In 1875 Grant passed the first civil rights act that outlawed racial discrimination in public transportation and allowed blacks on juries. This legacy would all be undone after the election of 1876 with a compromise for Hayes to become president in a virtually tied election with Samuel Tilden as long as Hayes ended reconstruction in the south. It will be very difficult to erase two centuries of bias by lost cause southerners (and northerners) against Grant but things are slowly coming around in his favor. Read this book to see all sides of Grant and why he deserves so much better from the republic that he saved as commanding General.
.
.
#ulyssessgrant #generalgrant #usgrant #federal #unitedstates #unionarmy #civilwar #civilwarhistory #civilrights #president #presidentialhistory #reconstruction #south #north #generalgrantnationalmemorial #grantcottage #nationalparkservice
April 25, 2024
With U.S. Grant’s 202 birthday coming up (4/27/1822) I decided to read this collection of essays dedicated to the life, legacy and career of our country’s greatest military leader and 18th president. Grant was an amazing and inspirational man who remains my all time favorite American historical figure. This book was excellent.
December 8, 2023
As a teacher of American history with lots of assignments to grade, I often struggle with keeping up to date with current historical research. I picked this book up on sale for Kindle to become familiar with some of the more current Grant scholarship. This book was just what I was looking for as each chapter gives a bite-sized serving of recent scholarship in a variety of areas including civil rights. There were also fascinating chapters related to living history -- including chapters by a Grant descendent and a Grant reenactor. One of my favorite chapters in the book traced the history of Grant's Tomb. After reading this book, I have a greater appreciation for Grant and more content to bring to my classroom. And I've added seeing Grant's Tomb to my bucket list.
July 1, 2023
I particularly enjoyed the stridency of the essay regarding the (lack of) corruption in the Grant administration.
July 6, 2023
A mixed bag of essays about U.S. Grant: some very good, most okay, and a few of questionable value.
March 26, 2025
Grant At 200
The year 2022 marked the 200th anniversary of the birth of Ulysses S. Grant (1822 -- 1885). Grant rose from obscurity to become the Commanding General of the Union Army during the Civil War and to serve two terms as the eighteenth president of the United States (1864 -- 1869). Grant's reputation, particularly of his presidency, has fluctuated over the years. Once regarded as a presidential failure, Grant has come to be better regarded in recent years largely because of his efforts in the area of civil rights. Still, Americans today would benefit from knowing more about Grant.
Published in commemoration of Grant's 200th anniversary, "Grant at 200: Reconsidering the Life and Legacy of Ulysses S. Grant" aims to reconsider Grant and his accomplishments. Sponsored by the Ulysses S. Grant Association and the Grant Monument Association and edited by public historian Chris Mackowski and Grant scholar Frank J. Scaturro, the volume offers a fitting and thoughtful exploration of its subject. It begins with a 1991 appreciation of Grant from Colin Powell followed by tributes to Grant from each of the six living presidents and from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The volume includes fifteen essays on Grant from leading scholars together with an Introduction by Mackowski and an Epilogue, "U.S. Grant: an Appreciation" by former vice-presidential candidate, Jack Kemp. The book taught me a great deal.I comment briefly below on the organization of the volume and on some of the essays.
The Introduction and opening three essays by Chris Mackowski, John Marszalek, and Ronald White focus upon Grant's early life and upon his character. White's essay "Son of Methodism" offers an exploration of Grant's religious faith, a matter new to me. The fourth through sixth essays offer examinations of Grant's military leadership by scholars Timothy Smith, Chris Mackowski, and Joan Waugh. Waugh's eloquent essay "U.S. Grant and the Surrender at Appomattox" explores what was perhaps Grant's finest hour. The seventh essay by Gary Gallagher explores the history of studies of Grant and examines the reasons for the changes in his reputation over the years.
The eighth through eleventh essay explore how Grant's stature as president has risen in recent years with essays on Grant's role in Reconstruction and in civil rights, his political skills, and his achievements in foreign policy. This section is capped by a lengthy essay by Frank Scaturro "President Grant Belongs in the Pantheon" arguing that Grant merits recognition as one of our greatest presidents. This is a fascinating essay but almost like a legal brief. I am afraid it may be overdone.
The final four essays return to a broad look at Grant and his commemoration. They include Ben Kemp's essay on Grant's final days at Grant Cottage in New York's Adirondack Mountain, a moving essay on Grant's descendants by Ulysses Grant Dietz, a study of Grant's character by a Civil War reenactor, and returning to Frank Scaturro, an essay on the checkered history of Grant's Tomb.
The book succeeds in its aim of showing that Grant deserves to be remembered and studied for his many contributions to our country. More broadly, the book shows the value of studying and learning to appreciate our country's history in all its complexity.
The book is published by Savas Beatie as part of the Emerging Civil War Series. Savas Beatie kindly sent me a review copy.
Robin Friedman
The year 2022 marked the 200th anniversary of the birth of Ulysses S. Grant (1822 -- 1885). Grant rose from obscurity to become the Commanding General of the Union Army during the Civil War and to serve two terms as the eighteenth president of the United States (1864 -- 1869). Grant's reputation, particularly of his presidency, has fluctuated over the years. Once regarded as a presidential failure, Grant has come to be better regarded in recent years largely because of his efforts in the area of civil rights. Still, Americans today would benefit from knowing more about Grant.
Published in commemoration of Grant's 200th anniversary, "Grant at 200: Reconsidering the Life and Legacy of Ulysses S. Grant" aims to reconsider Grant and his accomplishments. Sponsored by the Ulysses S. Grant Association and the Grant Monument Association and edited by public historian Chris Mackowski and Grant scholar Frank J. Scaturro, the volume offers a fitting and thoughtful exploration of its subject. It begins with a 1991 appreciation of Grant from Colin Powell followed by tributes to Grant from each of the six living presidents and from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The volume includes fifteen essays on Grant from leading scholars together with an Introduction by Mackowski and an Epilogue, "U.S. Grant: an Appreciation" by former vice-presidential candidate, Jack Kemp. The book taught me a great deal.I comment briefly below on the organization of the volume and on some of the essays.
The Introduction and opening three essays by Chris Mackowski, John Marszalek, and Ronald White focus upon Grant's early life and upon his character. White's essay "Son of Methodism" offers an exploration of Grant's religious faith, a matter new to me. The fourth through sixth essays offer examinations of Grant's military leadership by scholars Timothy Smith, Chris Mackowski, and Joan Waugh. Waugh's eloquent essay "U.S. Grant and the Surrender at Appomattox" explores what was perhaps Grant's finest hour. The seventh essay by Gary Gallagher explores the history of studies of Grant and examines the reasons for the changes in his reputation over the years.
The eighth through eleventh essay explore how Grant's stature as president has risen in recent years with essays on Grant's role in Reconstruction and in civil rights, his political skills, and his achievements in foreign policy. This section is capped by a lengthy essay by Frank Scaturro "President Grant Belongs in the Pantheon" arguing that Grant merits recognition as one of our greatest presidents. This is a fascinating essay but almost like a legal brief. I am afraid it may be overdone.
The final four essays return to a broad look at Grant and his commemoration. They include Ben Kemp's essay on Grant's final days at Grant Cottage in New York's Adirondack Mountain, a moving essay on Grant's descendants by Ulysses Grant Dietz, a study of Grant's character by a Civil War reenactor, and returning to Frank Scaturro, an essay on the checkered history of Grant's Tomb.
The book succeeds in its aim of showing that Grant deserves to be remembered and studied for his many contributions to our country. More broadly, the book shows the value of studying and learning to appreciate our country's history in all its complexity.
The book is published by Savas Beatie as part of the Emerging Civil War Series. Savas Beatie kindly sent me a review copy.
Robin Friedman
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews