To Rescue the Republic

Ulysses S. Grant, the Fragile Union, and the Crisis of 1876

By: Bret Baier, Catherine Whitney

Narrated by: Bret Baier

Length: 11 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

Number-One New York Times best seller

Fox News Channel’s chief political anchor illuminates the heroic life of Ulysses S. Grant

"To Rescue the Republic is narrative history at its absolute finest. A fast-paced, thrilling and enormously important book." (Douglas Brinkley)

An epic history spanning the battlegrounds of the Civil War and the violent turmoil of Reconstruction to the forgotten electoral crisis that nearly fractured a reunited nation, Bret Baier’s To Rescue the Republic dramatically reveals Ulysses S. Grant’s essential yet underappreciated role in preserving the United States during an unprecedented period of division.

Born a tanner’s son in rugged Ohio in 1822 and battle-tested by the Mexican-American War, Grant met his destiny on the bloody fields of the Civil War. His daring and resolve as a general gained the attention of President Lincoln, then desperate for bold leadership. Lincoln appointed Grant as Lieutenant General of the Union Army in March 1864. Within a year, Grant’s forces had seized Richmond and forced Robert E. Lee to surrender.

Four years later, the reunified nation faced another leadership void after Lincoln’s assassination and an unworthy successor completed his term. Again, Grant answered the call. At stake once more was the future of the Union, for though the Southern states had been defeated, it remained to be seen if the former Confederacy could be reintegrated into the country - and if the Union could ensure the rights and welfare of African Americans in the South. Grant met the challenge by boldly advancing an agenda of Reconstruction and aggressively countering the Ku Klux Klan.

In his final weeks in the White House, however, Grant faced a crisis that threatened to undo his life’s work. The contested presidential election of 1876 produced no clear victory for either Republican Rutherford B. Hayes or Democrat Samuel Tilden, who carried most of the former Confederacy. Soon Southern states vowed to revolt if Tilden was not declared the victor. Grant was determined to use his influence to preserve the Union, establishing an electoral commission to peaceably settle the issue. Grant brokered a grand bargain: the installation of Republican Hayes to the presidency, with concessions to the Democrats that effectively ended Reconstruction. This painful compromise saved the nation, but tragically condemned the South to another century of oppression of civil rights.

Deep with contemporary resonance and brimming with fresh detail that takes readers from the battlefields of the Civil War to the corridors of power where men decided the fate of the nation in back rooms, To Rescue the Republic reveals Grant, for all his complexity, to be among the first rank of American heroes.

©2021 Bret Baier (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers

Worth your time.

To Rescue the Republic

I enjoyed the book. Mostly because it focused on one of my favorite presidents, President Grant.

I cannot say I learned much new, but that is likely because I have already read President Grant’s memoir, Ron Chernow’s book and several others. If you have not read up on General Grant, you will find this book very informative and interesting. Baier’s writing style is compelling.

I do not agree with the comparison to January 6, 2020. Since Baier states he was already well into researching and writing the book when those events occurred, it seems likely the focus of the book was changed in an attempt to make it relevant to a larger audience.

It does illustrate the fact that the divisions of today are nothing new. They have always existed, and likely always will.

Feelings

I found this to be a good book untill chapter 14 and 15 where it became a great book. To put Grant in such away way made me choked up.

Great writing

Keep writing Bret. Your books dig down into “the rest of the story” which large biographies don’t do well. Also you are meticulous about getting the facts and not clouding the story with opinion. You let the reader draw their own conclusions. (Priceless!)

an interesting take on an overlooked President

I've read several Grant histories. this one repeats what others say but adds telling new details, particularly about the hotly contested 1876 election and Grant's role is resolving it, saving the Union a third time.

Getting to know Ulysses S. Grant better

I am a history major, and have spent a lot of time learning about the civil war, but I learned a whole lot more about Ulysses S. Grant from this book, and really enjoyed listening to it! I especially enjoyed learning what he did as president in trying to keep our nation together!

Powerful

Interesting how history seem to have natural cycles which Bret Baier helps me not only see but feel a strange kind of comfort with

Exceptional view on U S Grant & Trump's geed

This book was financed by Fox news (I am a CNN fan) Bret Baier made me feel I was listening to a first hand account of US Grant history and if other reviews don't like comparisons between Jefferson Davis & Donald Trump - maybe Trump's trial for treason will shed light on the truth.

I have also read dozens of books on the Civil War & enjoyed Bret Baier fresh perspective.

Intriguing

Phenomenal . A truly enjoyable audio book. Grant played such an important role in the Civil War and the unification of the North and South, in order to strengthen the Union.

I Laughed, I Cried! No, Seriously; I Did!

This was my first Bret Baier book and I am so impressed! I have read other biographies about our 18th president and President Lincoln's best General; but this one, I felt, brought him to life in my imagination. I laughed at his jokes (especially the Galena, Illinois lawyers one) and I cried as the Union seemed bent on tearing itself apart a second time. All the stupid waste was vividly portrayed by Mr. Baier's words. Finally, the way everything is tied to current events is sobering. READ THIS BOOK 📖!

Well done Mr. Baier!

A great read I’m sure, and certainly an excellent listen. Certainly gives an even-handed perspective on how our greatest conscientious leaders are still imperfect people doing what they see as best in the context of their day.