To Rescue the Republic

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

De: Bret Baier, Catherine Whitney

Narrado por: Bret Baier

#1 New York Times Bestseller | Narrated by author Bret Baier

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 civil-rights oppression.

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.

What an amazing journey to Ulysses S Grant

Bret Baier and his team did an amazing job depicting the life and journey of Ulysses S. Grant. Hopefully this book will set things straight about the significance of how Grant encouraged and tried to do the right thing for the African American population.

Jerry Kelly
Tempe, Az

Excellent on all levels!

First book I've listened to by Baier, won't be the last. Simply a delightful biography of one of America's greatest and yet somewhat unknown Generals and Presidents.

Great book across the board

I thought I knew a lot about Grant, but I had only scratched the surface. Bret Baier made Grant human, not just statistics, but his thoughts, his failures, his love for family, his beliefs and his strict code of conduct. He believed in preserving the union and did everything he could to make that happen. I had no idea how he had a major role in making sure that another civil war would occur during reconstruction. Our country today is eerily reminiscent of the period after the Civil War. Baier is a great writer, brings the subject alive and making you regret the book has to end. I particularly enjoyed that he narrated the book. I am definitely going to read his other books.

Great

As always Baier has provided a informative and entertaining book. I listen to all of his books while working.

Evan's Review

Read many books on Grant really didn't know what I would learn but was amazed about the election of 1876. Being a history major taught it and study it I never had heard that much about it. Brett takes into the election and aftermath. He bring it full circle to the election of 2020. I strongly recommend the book.