Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant

By: Ulysses S. Grant

Narrated by: Robin Field

Among the autobiographies of great military figures, Ulysses S. Grant’s is certainly one of the finest, and it is arguably the most notable literary achievement of any American president: a lucid, compelling, and brutally honest chronicle of triumph and failure. From his frontier boyhood, to his heroics in battle, to the grinding poverty from which the Civil War ironically rescued him, these memoirs are a mesmerizing, deeply moving account of a brilliant man told with great courage as he reflects on the fortunes that shaped his life and his character. Written under excruciating circumstances—Grant was dying of throat cancer—and encouraged and edited from its very inception by Mark Twain, it is a triumph of the art of autobiography.

Grant was sick and broke when he began work on his memoirs. Driven by financial worries and a desire to provide for his wife, he wrote diligently during a year of deteriorating health. He vowed he would finish the work before he died, and one week after its completion, he lay dead at the age of 63.

Publication of the memoirs came at a time when the public was being treated to a spate of wartime reminiscences, many of them defensive in nature, seeking to refight battles or attack old enemies. Grant’s penetrating and stately work reveals a nobility of spirit and an innate grasp of the important fact, which he rarely displayed in private life. He writes in his preface that he took up the task “with a sincere desire to avoid doing injustice to anyone, whether on the National or the Confederate side.”

Public Domain (P)2010 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic reviews

“The best [memoirs] of any general’s since Caesar.” (Mark Twain)

“One of the most unflinching studies of war in our literature.” (William McFeeley, Pulitzer Prize-winning biographer of Ulysses S. Grant)

Great Memoir from a Great Man!

My husband and I listened to this memoir together with great interest. Grants's writing is easy to understand. Having maps of areas he was referring to would have been helpful but not necessary. This memoir begins with Grant's early life, covers his military service in the American-Mexican War, then continues on into his distinguished service in the Civil War. It does not cover his terms as U.S. President. The more I listened to this memoir the more my respect for this great man grew. Grant was given a job to do, that is to defeat the confederacy, and he did it in much less time than previous generals who occupied his position prior to him.

The narration of this book by Robin Field was excellent. I highly recommend this book.

Shelby Foote, on horseback, in real time

I thoroughly enjoyed Grant's writings. His consummate military brilliance; sense of morality; care for his fellow man; assessment of human qualities; fair mindedness; all spring from the words in stark relief. His style echoes the clipped, no nonsense, "...facts only please..." methodology: observations; assumptions; decisions. His orders to his fellow Generals are totally unambiguous; his respect for, and effective use of, authority unquestioned.

So...5 stars for performance, 3 for story? Well, I had expected more of his life outside his military experience. Books two and three are 100% committed to the Civil War, but a few years of his life. I find it difficult to digest the vast numbers of those killed, promoted, cashiered, wounded and missing. Following the battles probably requires a map. But it is a stunning description of battle and a wonderful insight into the complexity of waging war. Any student of history sits in our Commander's tent at night, joining with him in solving complex logistics, personal rivalries, communicating with politicians in Washington. I imagine cadets at West Point have this book as required reading. Grant's recollection of his meetings with Lee at Appomattox are sensitively portrayed.

The narrator succeeded in making me feel I was listening to Grant himself. An acid test, I'd say.

I thoroughly enjoyed it and feel I understand military strategy, tactics and above all, leadership. I gained an immense respect for Grant and will read more about him, probably by those with a broader context for his life outside war, his family and achievements.

Recommended by SECDEF

Picked this book because Secretary of Defense Mattis recommended it as one of 2 books to be read by the cadets at the Virginia Military Institute in 2018. Fantastic book and great insights! Fundamentally changed my views on Grant and the Civil War.

Excellent follow up book

I just finished American Ulysses by Ronald White and thought Grant's memoirs would be an excellent follow on and provide some more color and texture to his life story, it did. My understanding and appreciation for this American patriot has soared. Both these works were tremendous but listening to his biography first made his memoirs come alive and helped me to listen for subtle differences in perspective .

Grant was, is, a hero of our nation, as well as Lincoln, and these two works were outstanding lessons as well as a glimpse into the period. You would do well to add them both to your library.

Excellent narration.

I enjoyed listening to the version read by Robin Field. it was as though I was listening to Grant himself.