Ulysses S. Grant: The American Presidents Series: The 18th President, 1869-1877

Ulysses S. Grant (born Hiram Ulysses Grant, but there's a story there, as summarized in this work) was to ascend to the highest ranks in the hearts of his countrymen--from commanding general of the Union forces to President of the United States. His rise to such positions seemed most unlikely to those who knew him in the years after the Mexican War. He grew up in Ohio and, through happenstance, ended up at West Point. He completed his studies, ranking in the middle of the pack in his class. He was noteworthy for his skills as a horseman and for his mathematical ability. His performance in the Mexican War was very strong. In the process of his tour of duty, he served under both Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott, and learned considerably about what makes a general. Thereafter, he had a series of postings leaving him isolated and sometimes "on the bottle," where he developed a reputation as a drunk. There follows the familiar story of his departure from the army, failed effort after failed effort at creating a solid economic grounding h=for his family. As the Civil War opened, while he was working in the family store in Galena, Illinois, he served as an officer as civilian military units were formed. After that, his meteoric rise in the Army--from regiment command to commanding general of all Union forces. In between, he displayed the ability to win battles that often led other generals to retreat. In the process, Americans had come to respect him as the war closed. The book chronicles his disagreements with Andrew Johnson's policies after Lincoln's assassination. Then, in 1868, Grant was nominated by the Republicans for president. This book takes a hard look at his presidency--the good, the bad, and the ugly. There were some important contributions--despite faltering, he did try to support the newly won rights of former slaves; he also supported humane treatment of Indians (even against the wishes of his top lieutenants--William Sherman and Phil Sheridan). But his economic policy contributed to the Panic that engulfed his second administration. His blind eye toward corruption of some of his colleagues does him no honor in history. There were also some foreign policy successes, to round out the picture. And, his final years, in which he courageously tried to provide for his families' economic security. All in all, another good entry in this series of brief biographies (155 pages of text, with a useful chronology following the text). As always, if one wishes a quick and accessible view of this American president, this book will do nicely. And, even though this book is brief, the author pouts Grant's performance as president in a nice context.

This is one of two brief biographies of Grant (1822-1885) I recently read, the other written by Michael Korda and included among the volumes which comprise the Atlas Books/HarperCollins' "Eminent Lives" series, with James Atlas serving as general editor. Although both cover much of the same material, there are significant differences between their authors' respective approaches to the18th president of the United States. For example, Korda duly acknowledges the problems which awaited Grant after he was elected to his first term in 1869. "What did Grant's reputation as a president in, however, (and continues to do so today whenever journalists and historians are drawing up lists of the best presidents vs. the worst ones), was the depression of 1873, which ushered in a long period of unemployment and distress, made politically more damaging by accusations that the president's wealthy friends were making money out of it." Given that the United States was growing too fast, in too many different directions at once, and the inevitable consequence was corruption and an unstable economy, it would have taken a more astute man than Grant to slow things down or clean them up." It is soon obvious in this volume that Bunting disagrees with, indeed resents the fact that Grant is generally remembered "as a general, not a president, [which] explains in part the condescension - there is no better word for it -- from which pundits and historians have tended to write of him." Bunting asserts that if judged by the consequences of Grant's common sense, judgment, and intuition, his presidency, "so far from being one of the nation's worst, may yet be seen as one of the best." Korda indicates no inclination to view Grant's presidency as "one of the best." He duly acknowledges the problems which awaited Grant after he was elected to his first term in 1869. "What did Grant's reputation as a president in, however, (and continues to do so today whenever journalists and historians are drawing up lists of the best presidents vs. the worst ones), was the depression of 1873, which ushered in a long period of unemployment and distress, made politically more damaging by accusations that the president's wealthy friends were making money out of it." Given that the United States was growing too fast, in too many different directions at once, and the inevitable consequence was corruption and an unstable economy, "it would have taken a more astute man than Grant to slow things down or clean them up." This last observation by Korda is consistent with a contemporary assessment of Grant by the Edinburgh Review, one which Brooks Simpson quotes in his own study (Let Us Have Peace: Ulysses S. Grant and the Politics of War and Reconstruction 1861-1868), and which Bunting also cites: "To bind up the wounds left by the war, to restore concord to the still distracted Union, to ensure real freedom to the Southern Negro, and full justice to the southern white; these are indeed tasks which

If you know nothing about Grant, this is the perfect place to start. Unlike other biographies in this series, which talk almost exclusively about each man's presidency (i.e. the Washington bio), this gives you an overview of Grant's entire life, from childhood to death. Appropriately, most of the book centers on the Civil War and the presidency, but you get to see what led up to Grant's actions during those times. "Faults" like his drinking are covered but also explained. You get a well-rounded view of the man. Like the best biographies, it makes you want to know more. I am now moving on to Grant's own "Memoirs."

This short biography, which is a volume in the "American Presidents" series affords the reader a sympathetic view of Grant as President. Another recent short biography of Grant, by Michael Korda, spends a little less time on Grant's presidency (thus more time on his military career) and views his presidency less favorably. I recommend that both biographies be read, as in significantly less than 200 pages, both offer insights into Grant. Indeed, if you have read a longer biography (and there are many) such as McFeely, Peret, or Simpson, these short biographies do a great job of crystalizing the information and, in fact, they offer additional insights. Bunting views Grant as the most pro African American president up to his time and for many decades thereafter. He tried to make Reconstruction work for the freedmen but, much like the attitude of Americans when the Vietnam War dragged on for many years, Americans lost their patience when Reconstruction dragged on with little discernable progress. Grant was President at a time when foreign affairs were not paramount. Therfore, most of what went on beyond domestic policy involved Latin America, including a plan to acquire Santo Domingo (now the Dominican republic). However, Grant was successful in certain foreign ventures such as entering into a treaty with Great Britain for reparations based on it's role in building blockade running ships for the Confederacy. Another area in which Bunting admires Grant is his treatment of the American Indian. Grant was ultimately unsuccessful but he had hoped to integrate them into American society so that they would be full citizens. Today, we would understand that what Grant was trying to do would strip the Native American of his/her culture but, at the time, Grant's attempts were very much ahead of the general feeling which viewed our original inhabitants as savages. Of course there were scandals during the Grant presidency and Bunting criticizes Grant for being passive in dealing with these. Grant was not involved but he was too loyal to his friends and, therefore failed to act decisively. Where he should have fired certain unethical officials outright, Grant would often ease them out. His gentle treament failed to set an example to others who might be tempted to also act unethically. I have read many histories of the Civil War, McFeely's biography of Grant, and Grant's personal Memoirs. Nontheless, this short volume has given me additional insights into Grant and was well worth reading.

Unlike his generalship during the Civil War, Grant's presidency has earned him few admirers among historians. The numerous scandals that took place during his two terms in office, and the Panic of 1873 which wrecked havoc on the country's economy during his second term, have generally diminished history's view of Grant's presidency. His consistently strong stewardship of the difficult task of Reconstruction, including his upholding of the laws which enabled Blacks to vote and hold office in the south, his successful foreign policy, and his fair treatment of Native Americans were often neglected. An historical consensus formed that split Grant's life into halves; General Grant was a heroic and needed leader, but President Grant was an admirable failure, unsuited for political leadership. Josiah Bunting III is the perfect author to correct these misperceptions about Grant. As a former army officer, Bunting understands well the institution that was so much a part of Grant's adult life and the source for his fame which would catapult him into the White House. But he also has enough emotional distance from the army to provide insightful commentary. What's most surprising, however, is the literary skill Bunting brings to the task. His small book on Grant is a beautiful gem of a biography, burnished to a fine work of art. Bunting has written two novels and he shows a fine writer's gifts here. He has the great biographer's necessary gift of understanding the importance of character. The Grant that comes alive in Bunting's pages is highly sympathetic, but always credibly so. Bunting shows how the usual slurs against Grant's character (alcohol, butchery, and scandal) were overdone, while many redeeming characteristics (good to friends and family, steady, moral) were overlooked. Bunting reevaluates the character of Grant in this more favorable light and recreates a president who won two elections by landslides and never was out of favor with the general public. Bunting's defense of Grant succeeds splendidly. I've read all sixteen of these small biographies published so far in "The American Presidents" series, and while I've found all of them good, and many quite excellent, this one on Grant is the best. It belongs on the shelf of every reader interested in American history.