Ulysses S. Grant

Michael Korda's biography of Ulysses S. Grant, part of Eminent Lives series, offers a compact yet thoughtful reassessment of one of America's most misunderstood historical figures. Rather than attempting an exhaustive, cradle-to-grave account, Korda focuses on reshaping the popular image of Grant as merely a brutal battlefield commander and a failed, corruption-plagued president. The result is a brisk, engaging narrative that argues for a more nuanced understanding of the man who led the Union Army to victory and later occupied the White House during one of the most turbulent periods in American history.

Korda, a prolific author and former publishing executive, brings a storyteller's sensibility to the material. His prose is accessible without being simplistic, and he moves efficiently through Grant's early life, his struggles before the Civil War, his rise through military ranks, and his eventual presidency. The pacing suits readers who want a solid introduction to Grant without committing to the denser, more academic biographies that dominate the field. Korda does not pretend to offer new archival discoveries; instead, he synthesizes existing scholarship and presents it in a form that feels immediate and readable.

One of the book's central achievements is its portrayal of Grant's military leadership. Korda emphasizes Grant's strategic clarity, his willingness to absorb heavy losses when necessary, and his ability to maintain composure under pressure. This stands in contrast to the long-standing caricature of Grant as a reckless butcher who won through sheer attrition. Korda makes the case that Grant's understanding of total war, his grasp of logistics, and his psychological resilience set him apart from many of his contemporaries, including the more celebrated Robert E. Lee. The chapters covering Vicksburg and the Overland Campaign are particularly effective in illustrating Grant's tactical mind at work.

The treatment of Grant's presidency is more mixed, reflecting the historical record itself. Korda acknowledges the scandals that plagued Grant's two terms, including the Crédit Mobilier affair and the Whiskey Ring, while also crediting Grant with genuine efforts to protect the rights of newly freed African Americans during Reconstruction. Grant's support for the Fifteenth Amendment and his willingness to use federal power against the Ku Klux Klan receive attention, though Korda does not shy away from noting the limitations and eventual failures of these efforts as political will in the North waned. This balanced approach avoids both hagiography and the harsher dismissals that have sometimes characterized Grant's historical reputation.

Korda also spends meaningful time on Grant's personal life, particularly his marriage to Julia Dent and his later financial ruin following a business partner's fraud. The final chapters, which cover Grant's race against terminal illness to complete his memoirs, are among the most compelling in the book. Korda captures the poignancy of a man who, despite immense physical suffering, worked diligently to secure his family's financial future through writing, ultimately producing a memoir still regarded as one of the finest examples of the genre written by an American president.

Where the book falls short is in its depth. Readers seeking a comprehensive, heavily footnoted account of Grant's life may find Korda's version too brief, particularly regarding the complexities of Reconstruction-era politics and the broader social forces at play. Some sections move quickly over events that merit fuller exploration, and the book occasionally relies on secondary sources rather than offering fresh analysis. This is clearly a book designed for general audiences rather than specialists, and it succeeds within that framework.

Overall, Korda's biography serves as an effective entry point for those wanting to understand Grant's significance without wading through longer, more detailed works. It presents a sympathetic but not uncritical portrait, correcting some of the more persistent myths while acknowledging Grant's genuine flaws and failures. For readers new to Grant's story, or those looking for a readable refresher on his life and legacy, this book provides a solid and engaging starting point.