Grant by Ron Chernow

7.5 out of 10

A long and detailed account covering the life of the victorious Civil War Commanding General + two-term U.S. President.  Perplexingly, Ulysses S. Grant's monumental accomplishments were sandwiched between blunders and abjection.  Of modest origin, he also had a fairly meager retirement.  Leaving both his critics and his admirers ample fodder, Grant's humble stoicism mixed with his optimistic humanitarianism made him a unique public figure.  Given that he partook in the horror and the hopefulness of the tumultuous 19th century, historians have difficulty pinpointing the merits of his character.