Grant

A Biography

By: William McFeely

Narrated by: Jeff Riggenbach

In this stunning biography, William McFeely brings us a thoroughly compelling story of a tangled life.

Having once said “a military life had no charms to me,” U.S. Grant entered West Point to get through the course, secure a detail for a few years as assistant professor of mathematics at the Academy, and afterwards obtain a permanent position as professor at some respectable college. But the course his life took was quite different. Little did he ever dream that he would serve with distinction in the Mexican War, lead the Union to victory in the Civil War, struggle through eight years as President of the United States, and wage bitter personal battles against alcoholism, insolvency, and cancer.

©1981 William S. McFeely (P)2000 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Good, Good, Awesome, Can't finish it

While I don't blame the author for U.S. Grant's boring presidency I do blame him for telling it in such a yawnworthy way. While in depth about the presidency it felt like an ice pick going into my ocular socket. Great early life through presidential election boring afterwords though. Narrator was good but editing was horrible......maybe audible should have a editing rating i have heard some crazy things on some audiobooks.

a good listen

I enjoy the narrators style. the book gets into the weeds but not so far as to bore you. very informative.

More balanced than later works

Early in my studies, having read Bruce Catton and Shelby Foote, I was put off by McFeely’s biography and set it aside reading Jean Edward Smith instead. Now having read Carswell McClellan and many other primary source books disputing Grant’s Memoirs, I find it a much more accurate narrative than later books that have glossed over his failings and tend to create an over the top mythical Grant. Although author is criticized for his speculations on Grant’s psychological states it seems now an interesting and fair enough appraisal. I enjoyed audiobook format very much.

Pretty Good

Good book, but the recording has minor stutters. Still an excellent work capturing the essence of a conflicted soul

McFeely expresses negative undertone entire time

The biographer expresses a negative undertone and belittles Grant through the entire biography. Find another history of Grant.