Customer Reviews

Grant and His Generals (Essay index reprint series)

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This book contains so many little nuggets of information that your head will spin, especially if you have a particular interest in Grant's nuanced relationships with his staff. The chapter on John Rawlins is a nearly definitive examination of this complicated, neurotic nanny-goat, the man who watched over Grant lest he lapse into "intemperance." Equally fascinating are the chapter on Ben Butler and Baldy Smith, both containing damning indictments on Grant's surrepticious wartime drinking.

MacCartney writes very well and his research is diligent and thorough. He admires Grant a great deal, but doesn't make excuses for his sometimes unusual behavior, particularly when it comes to human relationships. An extremely shy, bashful man, Grant found it hard to open up to others or be comfortable in a group. The author understands this facet of Grant's character and writes about it with perception. This is highly recommended for any student of USG.