The Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant (Volumes I and II)

About the BookThese memoirs were written by Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States and the commanding general who led the Union Army to victory in the American Civil War.Grant wrote these memoirs while he was dying of throat cancer, finishing them just days before his death in 1885. He did so primarily to provide financial security for his family after a series of bad investments left them in debt. The memoirs focus almost entirely on his military career, particularly his service in the Mexican-American War and the Civil War, and are widely regarded by historians and literary critics as some of the finest military memoirs ever written.Key Features of the Memoirs:Literary Merit: They are praised for their clear, concise, and modest prose. Even Mark Twain (who published the original edition) compared the quality of Grant’s writing to Caesar's Commentaries.Historical Insight: The two volumes provide an indispensable first-hand account of the strategy and leadership behind the Union’s victory, including Grant's perspectives on the Battles of Vicksburg, Chattanooga, and the final campaigns against Robert E. Lee.Legacy: The work was an immediate best-seller and succeeded in its goal of restoring his family's fortune.If you are looking for a historical account of the Civil War from the man who led the Union forces, this two-volume set is considered the definitive primary source. Read more