Grant Takes Command gives us invaluable assistance in untangling the enigma of this remarkable Union warrior who has puzzled so many for so long. It gives a detailed and revealing portrait of Grant during the last year and a half of the war. It shows what sort of man it was whom Lincoln took into partnership and what that man did with his share of the responsibilities.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
27 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Engrossing and accurate Grant portrayal,
By Candace Scott (Lake Arrowhead, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Grant Takes Command (Hardcover)
Bruce Catton is arguably the greatest Grant biographer and is largely responsible for changing the negative views about Grant in the 1950's and 60's. Catton wrote several books about USG and this is the third and final part of a grand Grant trilogy begun in 1949 by Lloyd Lewis with "Captain Sam Grant."Bruce Catton thoroughly understand Ulysses Grant and became his vociferous proponent. He correctly grasped that Grant was the preeminent strategist of the civil war and was also the war's greatest, most innovative and most determined general. Those who errantly believe Grant won with brute force or superior numbers need to read this book. Others who espouse the line that Robert E. Lee was the real genius of the war also need to consult this volume. At its conclusion, you will change your mind and realize that Grant was not only a magnificent soldier, he was also a highly intelligent, humorous and marvelously humane man. He has been unfairly maligned and Catton sets the record straight. Catton writes with perception about Grant as a father and devoted husband, but the thrust of the book is painting an incise portrait of Grant in the pivotal period 1861-1863 when his greatness was forged. This is a "must have" book for anyone interested in U.S. Grant or the American civil war. There are few, if any, factual errors and the narrative flows smoothly from beginning to end. Highly recommended.
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Catton paints a vivid portrayal of General Grant.,
By Roger J. Buffington (Huntington Beach, CA United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER) (VINE VOICE) (REAL NAME)
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Grant Takes Command (Hardcover)
Bruce Catton is the grandmaster of nonfiction books written for the general public about the Civil War as seen from the Union perspective. "Grant Takes Command" is about exactly that--the period just before Grant is appointed as the third Lieutenant-General in the history of the U.S. through the end of the Civil War. This is a fascinating tale, colorful and well-told.Mr. Catton does a remarkable job explaining General Grant to the reader. He does much to explain Grant's style of leadership, his relationship with others including President Lincoln and General Meade, and how the soldiers in his army (and those in the Confederate Army!) regarded Grant. Catton also discusses Grant's issues as regards drinking, and largely concludes that Grant had conquered this enemy long before he took on the Confederates as the Union's top general. To me, the most interesting aspect of the book is Catton's excellent analysis as to how Grant finally managed to seize the initiative from Robert E. Lee. After Gettysburg, this was no doubt easier than it had been earlier in the Civil War, but nevertheless it must be remembered that no other Union general had ever really managed to do this prior to Grant, excepting perhaps General Meade at Gettysburg. Incidentally, Catton is relatively complimentary towards Gen. Meade, and points out that so was General Grant. I found the relationship between Grant and President Lincoln to be particularly insightful. It may be summed up that Lincoln quickly began to have complete and implicit trust in Grant, and was frankly relieved to have some of the burden of the war shifted from his shoulders to Grant. For his part, Grant was loyal and respectful of the President, and was the perfect American general insofar as he thoroughly respected and acknowledged the core American value of ultimate civilian control over the military. One fascinating anecdote was Mr. Catton's relating of an incident at the Battle of Two Harbors, where Grant proposed to General Lee after the battle, that both sides agree to allow their respective medics onto the battlefield unmolested during a stipulated time, to save life and relieve the horrendous suffering of wounded and dying men lying between nomansland. Grant was indifferent to gaining or losing face, and focused solely on quickly coming to an arrangement in order to get on with the business of relieving the agony of the wounded. Lee, on the other hand, postured for over a day in an effort to make it appear as though Grant were the supplicant approaching Lee the victor. Meanwhile most of the wounded got on with the business of dying, and many lives were perhaps needlessly lost. Candidly, this did nothing to improve my opinion of General Lee, and Catton relates this incident without judgment or rhetoric, allowing the reader to draw his or her own conclusion. He does so largely by quoting the actual letters exchanged by the two generals, so Catton's relating of the event should probably be regarded as uncontroversial. My own conclusion was that my personal estimation of Grant was heightened. I do not, in relating this event, mean to attack General Lee, who is certainly one of the most regarded generals in American history. But it does say something about both men. Catton has a clear style of writing, and he embellishes his narrative with colorful and relevant anecdotes about each battle and incident from the perspectives of generals, officers, and men alike. This is a great book about a great man during great times. Unforgettable.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Wonderful.,
By
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Grant Takes Command (Hardcover)
Bruce Catton's Grant Takes Command is a wonderful look into the role U.S.G. played in reversing the fortunes of the Union. Operating quite independently in the West, Grant's career was not always in ascendency, but his tenacity in the seige and capture of Vicksburg certainly earned him an opportunity to command at a higher level (though this was not necessarily what he had in mind). That meant a transfer east to the politically charged world of wartime Washington, as well as a 3rd star, placing Grant in the position of General-in-Chief of the Union Armies. How he mastered the assignment that so overwhelmed those who came before him is beautifully retold in this book. In the end, there can be no doubt that the humble General Grant was a man of remarkable political and military judgment, without whom it is almost certain the Confederacy would have prevailed.
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