Ulysses S. Grant 
The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant 

The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant is an autobiography that focuses specifically on the 18th U.S. president’s military career, both as a solider during the Mexican-American War, and as an officer and commander of the Union Army during the American Civil War. Completed shortly before his death in 1885, the memoirs became instant bestsellers, thanks in large part to the shrewd marketing of Mark Twain, who had sales agents dressed as Civil War veterans sell the two-volume work door-to-door in the days after Grant died. The work has been praised for its simple, direct prose and for its honesty and candor in dealing with Grant himself as well as his foes. Volume 1 concludes with the surrender of Confederate forces at Vicksburg.

About the author

Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885) served as commander of the U.S. army, and the 18th president of the United States. Born in Point Pleasant, Ohio, he was educated at West Point and served in the Mexican American War before suffering several business failures as a civilian. He re-joined the army as a division commander in the American Civil War, and, after a steady record of battlefield successes, was entrusted with command of all U.S. armies in 1864. In 1869, at age 46, Grant became the youngest president in U.S. history. After a tumultuous presidency, he published his memoirs, which became bestsellers.