Grant by Ron Chernow
Grant is a 2017 biography of Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States, written by American historian and biographer Ron Chernow.
The book explores Grant’s military career, his presidency, and his personal life. Chernow argues that the common perception of Grant as a mediocre general and corrupt president is overly critical. He portrays Grant as a talented administrator and a hero who struggled with alcoholism. The book centers on the story of black liberation, from Grant’s embrace of emancipation as a general to his enforcement of civil rights as president.
The main themes of the book include Grant’s military leadership, his presidency, and his personal struggles with alcoholism and depression. Chernow also explores the wider social and economic forces at work in American life in the 19th century, including the division between north and south and the overlap between the worlds of slavery and freedom.
Useful takeaways from the book include:
- Humility and integrity are important traits for leaders to possess.
- Tactics beat strategy – focus on making things happen rather than waiting for a grand strategy to materialize.
- Don’t let failure keep you down – keep moving forward and eventually you will succeed.
- Black liberation was a central theme of Grant’s presidency, from his embrace of emancipation as a general to his enforcement of civil rights as president.
What I Liked
This was one of the best biographies that I’ve ever read. Huge fan now of US Grant.
What I Did Not Like
Nothing – A++ biography.
