I just finished Ron Chenow’s new biography of Ulysses S. Grant with a firm resolution to visit Grant’s tomb tomorrow. I don’t think I’ve ever read about a life so fraught with equal measure of soaring triumph and shameful defeat.
It strikes me that modern liberal opinion has come to judge correct so many of the opinions and actions that Grant quietly expressed and doggedly fought for throughout his life. He was a fierce advocate of racial equality, national union, and mercy and an opponent of terrorism, antisemitism, sectarianism and revenge. He ardently fought and often won for high ideals on the battlefield and in the White House.
It’s also impossible to overlook glaring flaws in Grant. He was scarcely successful at anything before the Civil War rocketed him to fame. He struggled with alcoholism his whole life. He was duped time and again by conmen. He put too much faith in men who turned out to be incompetent and corrupt.
It’s a little strange to read about how popular Grant was for most of his life from the beginning of the Civil War until his death given how little you hear about him now. It’s also remarkable how many quotes about Grant being one of the great men of American history pepper this book, given how I first learned of him as a General who won through superior numbers and indifference to bloodshed and a mediocre president, notable mostly for the corruption of his cabinet.
With such high highs and low lows, it’s hard to judge where Grant should be held in our esteem. But for strength of character, for skill at battle and for rightness of moral judgement, I’m inclined to agree with the several historians quoted as counting Grant as the most underrated president. But I don’t know. I’m no expert.
What I do know is that Grant had a hell of an interesting life, and that it was very well told in a 900 page book that was hard to put down. Thanks, Mr. Chernow. And thanks, General Grant.