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ULYSSES S. GRANT: MEMOIRS AND SELECTED LETTERS AUTHOR: Ulysses S. Grant Review written by keynote business speaker and business humorist Conor Cunneen. Chicago based keynote speaker Conor Cunneen is an Irishman, happily exiled in the US where he says the Guinness is drinkable and the natives are friendly. He claims to have been blessed with the Gift of Gab which he continuously hones, refines and improves as he strives to be recognized as one of the best, inspirational, motivational, funny keynote business speaker in the industry. Conor’s Brand Promise is E4: Energize, Educate, Entertain AND Easy to work with. If you are seeking a *Humorous Keynote Speaker * Humorous, Inspirational, Funny, Keynote Speaker who will leave your audience laughing and thinking, thinking and laughing contact humorous business speaker Conor Cunneen who truly has the gift of Gab. Enjoy the review. _____________________________________________________________________________________ REVIEW References to political memoirs often suggest that Grant's memoirs are some of the best ever published. Have worked my way slowly through almost 800 pages of his memoirs, the accolades are deserved. Autobiographies by their nature are bound to be someway self-serving (he makes no reference to his well documented drink problems) and I am sure many historians could pick flaws with some of Grant's recollections, but the book is exceptionally well written and interesting. To my surprise, the author comes across as being compassionate and showing a high degree of empathy for many he fought against during the civil war.
He is very honest in his commentaries and is not afraid to be critical of US policy. The Mexican-American war (1846-1848) was unnecessarily provoked and in his opinion "the war which resulted, as one of the most unjust ever waged by a stronger nation against a weaker nation. ... We were sent to provoke a fight, but it was essential that the Mexicans should commence it." Cont……
_____________________________________________________________________________________ Searching for "Humorous Business Speaker Chicago" or "Humorous Keynote Business Speaker" - Hi, or as we say back in Ireland 'One hundred thousand welcomes to you.' You've come to the right place. Irishman Conor Cunneen (that's me) is an award winning business humorist and inspirational keynote speaker. Check the clips on my home page or catch my Irish brogue by phoning me at 630 718 1643. Enjoy the book review and many others on this site. _____________________________________________________________________________________
Grant is not shy in admitting that especially in his early military career, he was often frightened and would rather have been somewhere else when the bullets were flying. He is also self-effacing and sometimes humorous about his impact in early combat situations. "My exploit was equal to that of the soldier who boasted that he had cut of the leg of one of the enemy. When asked why he had not cut off his head, he replied: `Someone had done that before.' "
Grant is a very good storyteller and has an excellent eye for detail and description. His contrasting profiles of Generals Taylor and Scott whom he fought under during the Mexican war are models of clarity and painting pictures with words.
His account of the civil war contains numerous interesting anecdotes including one instance when inspecting a picket line which was close to a Confederate picket line. After his picket line called "Turn out the guard for the commanding General," he heard a similar command from the Confederate picket and a reference to General Grant. The Confederate line saluted "which I returned." - Amazing!
Obviously, the bulk of his memoirs relate to the civil war. He suggests that he was of the same mind set as Secretary of State Seward, "that the war would be over in ninety days." Grant is very respectful of many of his former colleagues who fought against him during this war. He has little respect for the "Demagogues who were too old to enter the army ... others who entertained so high an opinion of their own ability that they did not believe they could be spared from the direction of the state of affairs," but who constantly poured oil on the secessionist fire.
He lauds many of his comrades including Generals Sherman and Sheridan. While respecting Secretary of War Stanton, he does not appear to have been a great fan of his style of management. He also writes approvingly of Confederate Generals Longstreet, Lee, Bragg, Joseph Johnston and others, and takes great delight in ridiculing the military genius of Confederate President Jefferson Davis who he obviously despised. Grant writes sensitively of General Lee and the surrender at Appomattox.
The author believes the death of Lincoln was a disaster not just for the North, but for the vanquished South. "He would have proven the best friend the South could have had." Interestingly, Grant makes no reference to the Gettysburg Address and to the best of my recollection only references the Battle of Gettysburg but once. He was otherwise involved in the Battle of Vicksburg at the same time.
I glossed over some of the detailed military and battle descriptions in this book, but overall it is a great read. It is also interesting to note that the book saved Grant's penurious family from a life of poverty. Published by his friend Samuel Clemens, these memoirs became a bestseller after Grant died from throat cancer. In the Mark Twain Speeches section of this website you can read Twain's very humorous speech honoring Grant which is titled The Babies.
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