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It's beautifully printed and bound, and even at 1199 pages it's only 5.25x8.25x1.5 inches. II.
McPherson's latest masterpiece, "Tried by War," my collector's guilt complex grew because I did not have Grant's Memoirs among my three-dozen Civil War books. While reading James M.
Simon's collection, plus the poignant "Notes to the Doctor" and a fascinating bonus, "Note on the Texts," detailing the publishing history of the Memoirs from the first article in The Century to Mark Twain's last alteration in Vol. I had resisted the temptation because our house and garage are bulging with books and my wife warned me that if I ordered another one online it would severely strain our 63-year marriage.
I'm not sure she was kidding.I rationalized that a little browsing wouldn't hurt, and was delighted to find, instead of two bulky tomes, the superb Library of America edition containing both volumes of the Memoirs, 175 letters from John Y. Kudos to Mary Drake McFeely and William S, McFeely for their Notes and letter selection.The unsurpassed Memoirs need no additional praise from me, but I would urge all browsers to be aware that this is THE edition to acquire.
That takes up less shelf space than my hardcover edition of Bruce Catton's "A Stillness at Appomattox."I think my marriage is saved.
Excellent read. You feel a bit like Grant is sitting across the table from you telling stories from his past. This is great history.
The U.S. Grant had a fine memory for details, and writes about the decisions that won the Civil War while referring to individual soldiers and trails through the forest. Civil War introduced machine guns to the battlefield, and observational balloons, and ironclads, but from Grant's point of view, none of these mattered. This book will be of most interest to those who follow the Civil War and military theory. I find interesting that Grant virtually never discusses technology in his tactical and strategic planning. He worried about moving men from place to place, and probably would have preferred a single roadroad to all the machine guns in the Confederate Army. The book may also be useful as a study of management style, as Grant obsessed over identifying great leaders and enabling them to realize their potential.This edition is well bound, but the maps are too small and are basically impossible to read.
It is something, reading about Lincoln as a living, breathing, human being--before his future and legacy were determined.The Library of America edition is far and away the best version available. Still outnumbered, and fighting every step of the way, they advanced upon Mexico City which capitulated to the invading force. He toiled unsuccessfully at farming, then real estate. His remarkable letter to Sherman when he learned of his appointment for Lieutenant General. He personally travelled to Cincinatti to meet Gen. Who would have guessed that in seven years, he would be elected President of the United States.
Later he served under Winfield Scott in the southern campaign to Mexico city. As a companion read, there are several Civil War battle atlases to chose from with superior maps. Others, not so much, though he is always fair in his assessments. When the Civil War broke out in April 1861, Grant was working as a clerk at his father's leather goods store. His constant, dogged determination of success overcame obstacles that would flummox almost any other commander. He relates in detail, each battle and campaign in which he took part, but the story doesn't bog down in trivia.
Grant's memoirs trace the unusual path of one of America's most illustrious and successful soldiers. of War, on his conduct upon taking the supreme command. The narrative drives onward, with or without maps. Impatient for a reassignment closer to home, which was not forthcoming, he eventually resigns his commission and returns east.Grant had trouble transitioning from the military life. But this may not be necessary.
Here we find the young Grant, fighting in Mexico, pining for his wife-to-be Julia, fretting that she doesn't respond frequently enough, worried that she would lose interest in him in his absence. It includes as appendix, Grant's official report to Stanton, Sec. George McClellon, then the nation's top General. Occasionally, the constant troop movements may get a little confusing to some readers, but Grant keeps a steady thread throughout, and keeps the narrative lively, offering numerous anecdotes. After three years of hard fighting, he was made Lieutenant-General--the highest possible rank at that time, previously bestowed only on George Washington, and breveted to Winfield Scott. Eventually, Grant became a sort of unofficial drill instructor to a volunteer regiments meeting in Springfield, Illinois. While the prose doesn't seem dated, the maps unfortunately do.
It is interesting to compare the two accounts, which compliment each other mostly, only differing slightly in emphasis. Scott, a very different personality from Taylor, was as fine a general. His letters home to his new wife while stationed on the west coast, still worried about being remembered. McClellon declined to speak with Grant.
These read like journal entries, and bring you into the mind of the man who knew he was facing the end of the line. Abraham Lincoln holds Grant's highest esteem. Also included are many of his civil war letters--written to his father, his wife, his children, his friends, other generals, Lincoln, Stanton. When the war broke out, he wrote a letter to the War Department offering his services, but did not receive a reply.
For those who enjoy good writing, military history, or just plain history--especially the first-hand accounts, it doesn't get much better than Grant's Memoirs. Several days were spent crossing the isthmus of Panama, where cholera broke out and killed many of Grant's fellow passengers. These days, you hop on a plane and in a few hours you're there. Starting his military career at West Point, where he was an average student, he joined the 4th infantry upon graduation, serving as second lieutenant. Then another ship would pick you up on the Pacific side and resume the journey. Taylor's solid generalship, steady nerve, and unpretentious personality made a big impression on Grant, who developed these same traits when it was his turn to command troops just fifteen years later. Also included are a selection of letters which make very illuminating reading. Grant, more than any other Union General, provided hope to a nation that had grown weary of war.
And so began his rapid rise. Indeed, his unstylized, straitforward prose doesn't seem at all dated. Though he refused to play the "political game", he nevertheless made an impression on the governor of Illinois, who appointed Grant colonel of a volunteer regiment. Thereafter, Grant spent several dreary years on the west coast, separated from his new wife and family. This gives much the same information, only more condensed, and written just after the fact instead of twenty years later. Vastly outnumbered by the Mexican army, Taylor nevertheless led his force to several major victories in northern Mexico--battles which Grant relates in vivid detail.
His simple portrayal of the events at Appomattox Court House are alone worth the price of the book. Shortly therafter he was promoted to Brigadier General, then Major General. Oh, well. Some he holds in extremely high regard. Soon after, Texas was annexed and the Mexican War broke out, with the 4th constituting part of Zachary Taylor's expeditionary force. Explanatory notes provided by the editors on the creation of the text conclude this volume.I must agree with a previous reviewer about the inadequacy of the maps. Sherman's equally remarkable response.Included also are his notes to his doctor while completing his memoirs during the last several weeks of his life.
It is also very interesting to read his assessment of various generals, Union and Confederate alike.
It is truly a joy to read.
Though he lived a very eventful life after the civil war, serving two terms as President, and traveling for almost two years around the globe afterwards, these memoirs conclude with the termination of the war.
In 1849, however, a ship, leaving the east coast, would take you first to Panama-- before the canal.
This is a minor quibble for what is otherwise an outstanding edition.
He certainly lived up to the high expectations placed upon him.
His skill at writing is manifest.
The Library of America edition is a facsimile of the original.
And besides, while the maps included are far from perfect, they are better than nothing.
Well written history is a rare treat, and rarer still is a history by one who lived through it. Grant writes engagingly and humorously and with great humility for a man who achieved so much. That he wrote this in the throes of cancer, finishing it on death's door and yet has no sence of savig himself or self pity is remarkable. It's a pity there is no one like this in the elections.
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