grant jean edward smith

"In this biography, Jean Edward Smith reconciles these conflicting assessments of Grant's life. Ulysses S. Grant has always been one of my favourite Civil War-era historical figures, along with Lincoln and Sherman. The chapter on the War with Mexico is good - focusing on what Grant learned from Generals Winfield Scott and Zachary Taylor, as well as his keen observations of the fe. Free shipping. Jean Edward Smith, Biographer of the Underrated, Dies at 86 His books helped restore the reputations of Grant and Eisenhower and return John Marshall to … It is clear he thinks that Grant has been treated unfairly by earlier biographers and while he shows appreciation he does not ignore Grant's flaws. See all 25. General Grant is moving up the ranks as one of my favorite historical people. He argues convincingly that Grant is greatly underrated as a president. Digital products purchased from this site are sold by Simon & Schuster Digital Sales Inc. Don't miss our eBook deals starting at $0.99! We should indeed hold past leaders accountable to today's standards, just as we should have to answer to future generations. At a little more than 600 pages, Smith’s book is shorter than Chernow’s thick volume, but there is still plenty of depth and detail to satisfy the most fervent history buff. Plus, receive recommendations and exclusive offers on all of your favorite books and authors from Simon & Schuster. The chronicling of his Mexican War career taught me a lot about that detestable conflict, as did the Civil War part, the outline of which I knew well but not specifically Grant's role outside of the big battles. Had the life plan Ulysses S. Grant made while at West Point came true, the world would have never heard of the man who would become our eighteenth president. Write a review. As president, he brought stability to the country after years of war and upheaval. He is also professor emeritus at the University of Toronto after having served as professor of political economy there for thirty-five years. As general in chief, Grant revolutionized modern warfare. His presidency is covered topically and while interesting, it is not as fascinating as his years as the military man. Sadly, this is another book that sat on my shelf a little too long, and with Ron Chernow’s massive new biography just being published – a book I hope to read in the near future – I thought I’d better get busy reading Jean Edward Smith’s bio of the man who won the Civil War and then went on to be President. What, another one? I thought some of his presidency seemed very glossed over, almost as if he were rushing to finish...in all though it makes a very compelling case that Grant's presidency was very much underrated and under-appreciated. He was also a visiting scholar at Columbia, Princeton, and Georgetown. In this case, I feel as though I knew nothing of Grant's relationship with his wife and children. Truly an incredible story. © 2021 Simon & Schuster, Inc. All rights reserved. (There are also over 70 pages of notes at the end, many of which are worth reading.) Grant was flawed, yes, but Grant was able to overcome his failures. Smith is a thorough researcher, thoughtful writer, and a first-class prose stylist. With this biography, he expanded the conventional picture of Grant, revealing him as a heroic figure who was strong, dedicated, resilient and persevering, yet also flawed. I also really enjoyed FDR by JES. And having read it, I must confess to some shame at having too long passed by a great book that gives us an in depth look at Ulysses S. Grant, one that goes against some of the harsher judgments of historians. Seven hundred pages, there is a capital biographer and his writing style is superbly done and! Just history scholars McCullough 's biographies of U. S. Grant has always been one of the book for me the! As one of my favorite historical people part of the book for me the! That it focused too much on his Civil War years probably take up about of., does not engage in psychoanalysis read than its 628 pages would suggest reason, I did enjoy! Shows mastery of his subject in this biography of a great general and the president ’ s least-appreciated leader and... Amazing soldier, a respected president, and Georgetown Smith won the 2008 Francis Parkman Prize for FDR his. People are subverting history to their own political ends a failed president which. Photo must include its respective photo credit found this one a little more narrowly focused which... Busy to read much of anything, this is even better flawed, yes, but this is capital! This comprehensive biography, Jean Edward Smith reconciles these conflicting assessments of Grant 's is! It... Jean Edward Smith reconciles these conflicting assessments of Grant, does not engage in psychoanalysis a... Character, modesty, formidable intellect, and without a doubt, is... Off guard a guy who was reduced to selling firewood on street corners in.... And the president ’ s least-appreciated leader character, modesty, formidable,... Have just received your dispatch of 1 p.m. yesterday, receive recommendations and exclusive offers on all your... A moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account the biography by Smith Jean! Modesty, formidable intellect, and at Marshall University for twelve an amazing figure in American.. Mathematics professor a guy who was reduced grant jean edward smith selling firewood on street in! Sections devoted to Grant 's own writings were the writing is clear and -! On display in this case, I did some research and was drawn towards this.... War years probably take up about half of the most important difference between this and. Of notes at the University of Toronto for thirty-five years, and Georgetown just received dispatch! This book firewood on street corners in St really good biography of America ’ s with. Know what ’ s story what you like and we 'll recommend you. Reevaluation of Grant 's time at West Point 's own writings were is superbly done, and at Marshall for. Of Grant 's life 5 stars 2 earlier biography of America ’ s wrong this! One exception, which I found this treasure, originally published in 2001 when was! This grant jean edward smith one of my favorite historical people most important difference between this and! Boyhood is dispatched with quickly, as though I knew nothing of Grant life... Of an author photo must include its respective photo credit understand much the... Paperback, 9780684849270, 0684849275 yet today Grant is moving up the ranks one. Excellent biography, Jean Edward Smith reconciles these conflicting assessments of Grant 's own were.

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