Grant Takes Command

De: Bruce Catton

Narrado por: Kevin T. Collins

A thrilling account of the final years of the War Between the States and the great general who led the Union to victory.

This conclusion of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Bruce Catton's acclaimed Civil War history of General Ulysses S. Grant begins in the summer of 1863. After Grant's bold and decisive triumph over the Confederate Army at Vicksburg - a victory that wrested control of the Mississippi River from Southern hands - President Abraham Lincoln promoted Grant to the head of the Army of the Potomac.

The newly named general was virtually unknown to the nation and to the Union's military high command, but he proved himself in the brutal closing year and a half of the War Between the States. Grant's strategic brilliance and unshakeable tenacity crushed the Confederacy in the battles of the Overland Campaign in Virginia and the Siege of Petersburg.

In the spring of 1865, Grant finally forced Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House, thus ending the bloodiest conflict on American soil. Although tragedy struck only days later when Lincoln - whom Grant called "incontestably the greatest man I have ever known" - was assassinated, Grant's military triumphs would ensure that the president's principles of unity and freedom would endure.

In Grant Takes Command, Catton offers listeners an in-depth portrait of an extraordinary warrior and unparalleled military strategist whose brilliant battlefield leadership saved an endangered Union.

©1968, 1969 Little, Brown and Company, Inc. (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Grant takes command

This was a great book I've read a lot about Grant and this book took that knowledge 1 step further could not put it down

Great book

Catton does an excellent job putting the listener alongside Grant as he grows into his new role

Great book. Worst narration. Ever.

Sounds like a recording of a robot in a small closet reading a text in which every sentence ends with an exclamation point. Catton’s excellent book deserves infinitely better than the atrocity that is this narration.

Great book, poor pronunciation

Reader did good overall, but he drove me nuts with pronunciation of names, places, and military minutiae. The book itself was excellent.

Excellent book!

I found this book to be an excellent listen (read). It was well researched and provided a look and an understanding of the personalities of Generals Grant, Lee, Sherman, Sheridan, Halleck, Jackson, Hood, Hill, Johnson, etc., and of President Lincoln as well as a clear picture of the war from Grant's perspective. Please do not be dissuaded from listening to this important work by those who do not like the narrator. Yes, the narrator did mispronounce some names and places, but the story is so absorbing and well told, that any annoyances from mistakes from the narrator are quickly forgotten and left as a leaf that flows down a stream.

Well read and very informative

Information not previously known was explained. Any Civil War enthusiast will enjoy this in its entirety

A classic that’s still worth reading 2025

I think the narrator had some mispronunciations. Amazing book with incredible primary sources .still worth rearing in 2025

Fantastic Writing, Poor Narration

Any additional comments?

The Narrator makes it difficult to listen to this masterpiece. That's unfortunate, but I powered through the constant mispronounced names and places because the story is gripping and the author is famous for his historical accuracy and masterful storytelling. That said, be warned that many of the Narrator's mistakes are cringeworthy.

Great book .. very well done.

I have read much of the confederates. This is the first in depth story I've read from the union viewpoint. I will read more. Too many great moments to choose a single one to relate but the respect for both sides and the honest perspective presented in respect to the south and that flawed cause made this an easy read regardless of ones sympathy. I found much here that both Union and Confederate admirers could point to with pride. But I also found so much to regret on both sides.. Great narration.

Narrator kept at strong voice all throughout—distracting

This is about the 5th or 6th Grant bio I’ve “read”. Each seems to have a different view of the drinking legends. Catton is most detailed in rejecting specific stories.