Grant
by Ron Chernow · first published 2017
90% recommend10% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Well-researched biography of Ulysses S. Grant covering his whole life. Available as an audiobook, it offers a window into Civil War and Reconstruction history and includes leadership lessons.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Grant is a 2017 biography of Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States, written by American historian and biographer Ron Chernow. Grant, a Union general during the Civil War, served two terms as president, from 1869 to 1877. Chernow asserts that both Grant's command of the Overland campaign and his presidency have been seen in an undeservedly negative light.
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I second this. Grant by Rob Chernow is an excellent audiobook. His entire life was fascinating. You’ll come away from this book with great leadership principles and a deeper understanding of US History.
on “Secret Life of an Autistic Stripper” ↗Truman: https://www.amazon.com/Truman-David-McCullough/dp/1442387807 Grant: https://www.amazon.com/Grant/dp/178854160X The Rise of Theodore Roosevelt: https://www.amazon.com/Theodore-Roosevelt-Modern-Library-Pap...
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2023 and recommend for 2024” ↗…have been on the hunt for historical biographies of similar quality. While I haven't found any that match up completely, here are a few that come close in my opinion: * Truman by David McCullough * Grant by Ron Chernow * American Caesar by William Manchester I've also read the three-part Churchill series by Manchester, but it didn’t quite measure up to the LBJ series for me. If you have any other suggestions,…
on “An Interview with Robert Caro and Kurt Vonnegut (1999)” ↗> Extreme Ownership Jocko Willink and Leif Babin > Grant Ron Chernow > Straight Talk on Trade: Ideas for a Sane World Economy Dani Rodrik > Adaptive Markets: Financial Evolution at the Speed of Thought Andrew Lo > The Best Investment Writing, Volume 1:…
on “Annual survey of book recommendations” ↗It's time to stockpile books for the possibly long Covid-19 slog. I just finished reading Ron Chernow's US Grant Bio, I can recommend it as long, engaging, and very poignant (esp for Americans). I'm going to read his Washington bio next, should take me a good month :) What are you reading during this potentially…
on “Ask HN: What books are you reading during self isolation?” ↗If you haven’t learned about the US Civil War and Reconstruction, it’s required context for everything around this topic. I’d particularly recommend the recent Chernow biography on Grant and the Blight biography on Frederick Douglass. The civil war & reconstruction are the single most defining events in US history. They’re extremely relevant to today’s politics, racial justice, and identity…
on “How to Make this Moment the Turning Point for Real Change” ↗I first read about the more disturbing (i.e. waved over in school) details of reconstruction a few years ago in Grant’s biography (really good btw as was Chernow’s Hamilton). One of the most shocking events was https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wilmington_insurrection_of_1... and also the New Orleans massacre. The klan…
on “The biggest disruption in the history of American education” ↗As the post mentions, it was Twain('s company) who ultimately ended up publishing Grant's memoirs at the end of his life. The post doesn't mention but it wasn't just a random relationship, they were good friends. (Sidenote: Ron Chernow's Grant is a great read. Grant is an underrated president.)…
on “Mark Twain's two-week stint as a Confederate soldier” ↗John Lee is one of my favorite narrators and his reading of the Count of Monte Cristo is wonderful (even at 47 hours). Ron Chernow’s biographies of Grant, Hamilton, and Washington. Candice Millard‘s “Hero’s of the Empire” (about Winston Churchill) and “River of Doubt” (Theodore Roosevelt) are both interesting looks at important historical figures in situations…
on “Ask HN: What are the best audiobooks you have ever listened to?” ↗Chernow’s biography of Grant is excellent, and very edifying for me personally. Grant was both a great and good man, and should be much more revered in American society than he is.
on “The Reconstruction of Ulysses S Grant (2017)” ↗…away his shot at Aaron Burr or not. Their writings, just like Chernow’s, are steeped in legend. Chernow’s work has excellently captured: Alexander Hamilton John D Rockefeller JP Morgan Ulysses (!) S. Grant Etc. As I type this out, perhaps the best comparison for Chernow is actually Plutarch? Either way, I haven’t seen anyone mention him and that would be an unfortunate oversight.
on “Who Is America's Homer?” ↗…https://www.amazon.ca/Titan-Life-John-Rockefeller-Sr/dp/1400... and Alexander Hamilton: https://www.amazon.ca/Alexander-Hamilton-Ron-Chernow/dp/0143... Both incredible. I admit I've never been terribly interested in Grant, maybe I should give him a look. Tough when there's an infinite abundance of great literature. We're truly spoiled.
on “The Scotsmen Who Invented Modernity” ↗