His only minus was he had much trouble firing his highly corrupt friends when he was President and that put a huge cloud over his time in the White House.
This is at least the 20th time I've listened to this LibriVox recording of Grant's Personal Memoirs. What an excellent recollection of his life and experiences during the Mexican and Civil Wars he has left us ! His intro and summary of the causes of the Civil War should be taught in our schools. Hell, this memoir is worthy of its own class ! This book is the last of the great services Grant rendered to this Nation. May Grant Rest In Peace. He is one of the very few men I wish I had known and was able to call "friend". Thank You for making this work available to everyone. This should be especially of interest to all Civil War and history buffs.
I had always wanted to read these memoirs. I began to listen to them within this audiobook, and was greatly inspired by your comment here on the 1st part. I've just finished listening to all 20 parts and left a comment on the last. I must agree with you that I too hope to listen to these repeatedly into the future. Epic in its historical study indeed. Thanx.
@@tiamatxvxianash9202 Thank you for your kind comment Tiamat. When I find something REALLY worth listening to/learning from, I always want to share the wealth. I'm happy my comment inspired you, and you found it as worthy as I did. Thank You again ! PS - I've read Sitchin's books starting with the first one back in the 1970's. I used to have all of them at one time.
I am from Greensburg, Pennsylvania, my entire life, and I am in my sixties, and this is the first time I have ever heard that General Grant's family settled there at one time. They even never taught us about that in school. I would think that is something a town could be proud of.
I love Grant...what a man! I love Washington, Paine, Sheridan, Abe Lincoln and Robert E Lee too...true statesmen..loved the American people all of them..may they rest in peace
I used to believe that U.S. Grant was an average General with a tendency to spend lives haphazardly in brutal attacks that were successful only because of the Mass of the Union Army. I saw him as a butcher. I WAS WRONG. Grant was in fact a highly skilled general and one that detested the wholesale slaughter that was so common in his war.. In truth Grant's casualty numbers were far smaller that R.E.Lee's when as a percentage. He was persistent and decisive in battle and was driven by a desire to see the War end and the Union preserved. And he also saw to the physical needs of his troops with a passion. In my opinion he must be rated as the greatest General of the Civil War even if Lee somehow was granted that title. Unlike Lee, Grant was not much for elaborate dress uniforms, he wore the plain uniform of an enlisted man modified only by the stars on his shoulders,, he was no fancy dan. Grant was a common approachable man that performed his complex duties in an exemplary fashion.
Well you have to give them both credit as great men..I think they both agreed at the end that the country should be united and was more important than either of them..very insightful reply..you know your history sir
6madx good point!! Yes they were both great generals. On a side note Lee was actually against secession and slavery. However he like so many Americans Identified with his state first he was a Virginian first and a US citizen second...he went with his state. Yes Lee was also a great general. He did amazing things against a foe that had a vast superiority in population, food production and manufacturing of every type. The south had control of about 10% of the total GDP of the USA. The conditions for a union victory was to weaken the south via attrition warfare over time. Lee's condition's for victory were harder. Lee would have had to completely destroy the army of the Potomac and also destroy the will of the North to resist to have any chance at victory. Every time the union won or lost a battle the south grows weaker. Simply winning battles does nothing for Lee. If in a battle Lee loses 10000 men the North would have to lose 30000 to 40000 men to be weakened by the same degree. P. G. T. Beauregard wanted to use the confederate Army to defend the south from unassailable positions and wage an active guerrilla war against the Norths means of production, shipping rail toads and agriculture centers and also to kill as many bankers and politicians as possible. However his plans were considered to be Un-sporting and dishonorable.
1:04 "One of my superstitions had always been when I started to go anywhere, or to do anything, not to turn back or stop, until the thing intended was accomplished" 1:10 Annexation of Texas and the War with Mexico 1:22 Opposition to dueling
The story regarding how this book came to provide optimal financial benefit for US Grant; involved Mark Twain and it is truly amazing. Grant had almost signed a contract for a company to publish his memoirs but Twain said he could publish the memoirs with his publishing company and that it would benefit US Grant markedly as Twain saw that it easily sell over a million copies. Grant finished the book just as he was dying from cancer, caused by his smoking and drinking. He died as he finished the last page. Americans lined up to buy this amazing book. Grant’s wife became wealthy and she was well provided for by her loving and devoted husband; just as he had desired. It is another great story!! The book is phenomenal and easy to read and enjoy.
Grant's always been one of my favorite presidents. He seems to have had a nice and honest personality and likable character and was probably a fun drinking buddy. He did some questionable things in his presidency but one thing he did do and was temporarily successful at was squashing the KKK. He did great things for black people and I admire that very much.
I've heard this is a most excellent book from Mr Twain himself, and reckon I have found a stupendous audiobook to help with any insomnia athe same time. This man has more skill at lulling one to sleep than Bob Ross himself .... in fact he reminds me of a few scenes from a hilarious movie
@@mikelezcurra810 I believe that it was Twain which truly encouraged Grant to write and it was a subsequent throat cancer diagnosis and impending familial poverty after his death, that made his decision to write. He wrote this book and died 3 days after completion. It was well written and not what others atop said was a cure for insomnia. Only a complete jerk and a major contrarian that has a cloud of dark doom following him everywhere he goes would say that this book is nothing but a sleeping aid. What a POS !
@@jbjoeychic Grant had been writing articles for quite some time before he began working on his memoirs and that allowed him to polish his writing style, even before Mark Twain became involved. Some people accuse Twain of being the ghost writer of Grant's memoirs, ignoring the fact that the manuscript in Grant's handwriting (including his own corrections) still exists.
@@mikelezcurra810 if my last post was not clear enough, I meant to say that I am sure that Grant wrote his memoirs by himself without the help of Mark Twain. I only meant to say that Twain encouraged him to write them as I said. Thanks for your post, and your input. Have a great day !
I've wanted to read Grant's Memoirs for years, but just never got round to it, if it's even available in print?....bad eyesight now so it's difficult for me to read for any length of time. (Graves disease...multiple vision) So it's great having it read to me Thanks much.:-) (Near the end) Outrageous Tobacco taxes, LOL ...the more things change the more they stay the same!.
I don't think a narrator with a Southerners accent should be narrating General US Grant. He was an Ohio boy from an Ohio family plus he was THE Union THE Norths Commander and that should be differentiated from anything Southern. Save this guys voice to do General Lee.
Zippy The Clown The drunk thing was mainly hyperbole you know. He had a brief period of drinking while stationed in the pre Civil War. He was the sharpest commander the Union Army had thus his elevation to Commander of all Union Armies in 1864.
The more I study on Grant the more I love the man's character.
His only minus was he had much trouble firing his highly corrupt friends when he was President and that put a huge cloud over his time in the White House.
This is at least the 20th time I've listened to this LibriVox recording of Grant's Personal Memoirs. What an excellent recollection of his life and experiences during the Mexican and Civil Wars he has left us ! His intro and summary of the causes of the Civil War should be taught in our schools. Hell, this memoir is worthy of its own class ! This book is the last of the great services Grant rendered to this Nation. May Grant Rest In Peace. He is one of the very few men I wish I had known and was able to call "friend". Thank You for making this work available to everyone. This should be especially of interest to all Civil War and history buffs.
yes indeed a Great American Grant was a true hero
I had always wanted to read these memoirs. I began to listen to them within this audiobook, and was greatly inspired by your comment here on the 1st part. I've just finished listening to all 20 parts and left a comment on the last. I must agree with you that I too hope to listen to these repeatedly into the future. Epic in its historical study indeed. Thanx.
@@tiamatxvxianash9202 Thank you for your kind comment Tiamat. When I find something REALLY worth listening to/learning from, I always want to share the wealth. I'm happy my comment inspired you, and you found it as worthy as I did. Thank You again ! PS - I've read Sitchin's books starting with the first one back in the 1970's. I used to have all of them at one time.
I am from Greensburg, Pennsylvania, my entire life, and I am in my sixties, and this is the first time I have ever heard that General Grant's family settled there at one time. They even never taught us about that in school.
I would think that is something a town could be proud of.
I love Grant...what a man! I love Washington, Paine, Sheridan, Abe Lincoln and Robert E Lee too...true statesmen..loved the American people all of them..may they rest in peace
I used to believe that U.S. Grant was an average General with a tendency to spend lives haphazardly in brutal attacks that were successful only because of the Mass of the Union Army. I saw him as a butcher. I WAS WRONG.
Grant was in fact a highly skilled general and one that detested the wholesale slaughter that was so common in his war.. In truth Grant's casualty numbers were far smaller that R.E.Lee's when as a percentage. He was persistent and decisive in battle and was driven by a desire to see the War end and the Union preserved. And he also saw to the physical needs of his troops with a passion.
In my opinion he must be rated as the greatest General of the Civil War even if Lee somehow was granted that title. Unlike Lee, Grant was not much for elaborate dress uniforms, he wore the plain uniform of an enlisted man modified only by the stars on his shoulders,, he was no fancy dan. Grant was a common approachable man that performed his complex duties in an exemplary fashion.
Well you have to give them both credit as great men..I think they both agreed at the end that the country should be united and was more important than either of them..very insightful reply..you know your history sir
6madx good point!! Yes they were both great generals.
On a side note Lee was actually against secession and slavery. However he like so many Americans Identified with his state first he was a Virginian first and a US citizen second...he went with his state.
Yes Lee was also a great general. He did amazing things against a foe that had a vast superiority in population, food production and manufacturing of every type. The south had control of about 10% of the total GDP of the USA.
The conditions for a union victory was to weaken the south via attrition warfare over time.
Lee's condition's for victory were harder. Lee would have had to completely destroy the army of the Potomac and also destroy the will of the North to resist to have any chance at victory.
Every time the union won or lost a battle the south grows weaker. Simply winning battles does nothing for Lee. If in a battle Lee loses 10000 men the North would have to lose 30000 to 40000 men to be weakened by the same degree.
P. G. T. Beauregard wanted to use the confederate Army to defend the south from unassailable positions and wage an active guerrilla war against the Norths means of production, shipping rail toads and agriculture centers and also to kill as many bankers and politicians as possible.
However his plans were considered to be
Un-sporting and dishonorable.
Sir...you are a true scholar of the ACW..i couldn't have summarized my own position any better...respect...
6madx Respect back at you
1:04 "One of my superstitions had always been when I started to go anywhere, or to do anything, not to turn back or stop, until the thing intended was accomplished"
1:10 Annexation of Texas and the War with Mexico
1:22 Opposition to dueling
On 1.25 speed it's quite better. I recommend it.
Thanks much better
you sir are a gift from god! lol
I still want to punch him. Give me the guy who does Neuromancer each and every time.
yes much better :)
I am a descdent of U.S. Grant. What does it mean?
The story regarding how this book came to provide optimal financial benefit for US Grant; involved Mark Twain and it is truly amazing. Grant had almost signed a contract for a company to publish his memoirs but Twain said he could publish the memoirs with his publishing company and that it would benefit US Grant markedly as Twain saw that it easily sell over a million copies. Grant finished the book just as he was dying from cancer, caused by his smoking and drinking. He died as he finished the last page. Americans lined up to buy this amazing book. Grant’s wife became wealthy and she was well provided for by her loving and devoted husband; just as he had desired. It is another great story!! The book is phenomenal and easy to read and enjoy.
Drinking had nothing to do with the cancer. 18 cigars a day, did.
This is very well done!! Thanks for doing it. I’m loving it! A perfect voice for U. S. Grant.
Seems to be a well delivered reading with an authentic voice for Grant. [....to this Englishman]
Great voice for the book.
Grant's always been one of my favorite presidents. He seems to have had a nice and honest personality and likable character and was probably a fun drinking buddy. He did some questionable things in his presidency but one thing he did do and was temporarily successful at was squashing the KKK. He did great things for black people and I admire that very much.
I read Grant's memoirs, free down load with Amazon Kindles. A must for all Civil War buffs.
I've heard this is a most excellent book from Mr Twain himself, and reckon I have found a stupendous audiobook to help with any insomnia athe same time. This man has more skill at lulling one to sleep than Bob Ross himself .... in fact he reminds me of a few scenes from a hilarious movie
Many people insinuated that Twain ghost wrote Grant's memoirs, but Grant's handwritten originals are still preserved.
@@mikelezcurra810
I believe that it was Twain which truly encouraged Grant to write and it was a subsequent throat cancer diagnosis and impending familial poverty after his death, that made his decision to write.
He wrote this book and died 3 days after completion.
It was well written and not what others atop said was a cure for insomnia.
Only a complete jerk and a major contrarian that has a cloud of dark doom following him everywhere he goes would say that this book is nothing but a sleeping aid.
What a POS !
@@jbjoeychic Grant had been writing articles for quite some time before he began working on his memoirs and that allowed him to polish his writing style, even before Mark Twain became involved.
Some people accuse Twain of being the ghost writer of Grant's memoirs, ignoring the fact that the manuscript in Grant's handwriting (including his own corrections) still exists.
@@mikelezcurra810 if my last post was not clear enough, I meant to say that I am sure that Grant wrote his memoirs by himself without the help of Mark Twain. I only meant to say that Twain encouraged him to write them as I said.
Thanks for your post, and your input. Have a great day !
Thank you, enjoying it.
I've wanted to read Grant's Memoirs for years, but just never got round to it, if it's even available in print?....bad eyesight now so it's difficult for me to read for any length of time. (Graves disease...multiple vision)
So it's great having it read to me Thanks much.:-)
(Near the end) Outrageous Tobacco taxes, LOL ...the more things change the more they stay the same!.
I believe you can download an e-copy from Project Gutenberg.
Yes, it is in Print. I got mine at Barnes and Nobles Book sellers.
I liked the voice used for US Grant on Ken Burns Civil War.
Is this the same guy who did the voice over for Droopy the dog?
yes
Shermans memoirs are real good too
You know ask many sources which General Grant memoirs should get but nobody Awnser me.
Hall Edward Jackson Thomas Wilson Carol
I don't think a narrator with a Southerners accent should be narrating General US Grant. He was an Ohio boy from an Ohio family plus he was THE Union THE Norths Commander and that should be differentiated from anything Southern. Save this guys voice to do General Lee.
It's no fault of the reader that these words don't fly. The writer is a dullard and more than likely drunk at the writing.
Just remember Robert Lee never beat this dullard. What does that make Lee. Furthermore, he wasn't a drunk.
Zippy The Clown The drunk thing was mainly hyperbole you know. He had a brief period of drinking while stationed in the pre Civil War. He was the sharpest commander the Union Army had thus his elevation to Commander of all Union Armies in 1864.
A big thank you for uploading. Very much appreciated for your taking the time to do so.