This is a book part of the Hourly History
series capturing the significant events of the life of the American Civil War
hero and two time president, Ulysses S. Grant.
The book starts with Ulysses S. Grant’s ordinary
beginning; someone who was too timid and had no special skill but for his
knowledge about animals and horse riding; eventually ends up in the military in
exchange for free college education who eventually quit after the US – Mexico war.
The book then talks about Grant’s failed ventures; be it farming or business.
However, with the Southern States launching a rebellion in order to retain
their right to keep slaves; little did the country expect to find an able
general in Ulysses Grant whose success in the Civil War and keeping the Union
together made him a national hero. The book ends with a short note on his
presidency.
The book followed the typical pattern the
Hourly History series usually follows in case of covering a personality; that
is, events being arranged chronologically and also covering every significant
event. The book also gave a sufficient background to the Civil War and also
focused a little on Grant’s personal views which were towards abolition of
slavery. I have always found Grant’s rise interesting considering, the honour
of leading the Union could’ve well gone to the opponent considering it was the
Confederate General Robert E. Lee who was offered it first but chose to lead
the Confederates since his home state Virginia joined the Confederates. How
Grant managed to maintain the Union was also something captured well, as to how
he offered Lee rather liberal terms of surrender which ensured a peaceful post
war transition.
However, I felt the book could have
concentrated a little more on his presidency, considering that his political
career was scandal ridden but then, the book just touches upon them in barely a
paragraph and I actually wished to know a little more about them but then, I
guess I would have to rely on other sources to know more about them.
Alas, it is ironic that I am reviewing
about Ulysses S. Grant, the person who first gave voting rights to all
regardless of ethnicity on the same day when Donald J. Trump is going to
swear-in as the 45th President of the United States (in less than an
hour from the time of this post, to be precise); a person who just seems too
keen on dividing the country along ethnic lines.
On the whole, I would award the book a
rating of six on ten.
Rating
– 6/10
Have
a nice day,
Andy
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