Grant

Grant by Ron Chernow, 1074 pages.

When I heard that Chernow was writing this book I was looking forward to reading it, but having recently finished White's American Ulysses, I didn't think that there could be all that much added to that very good book. I was very wrong. Chernow tells a far more complete, interesting and detailed account of America's 18th president, and the hero of the Union. Grant struggled with his alcoholism for most of his life, and Chernow does not shy away from this, or make excuses. He carefully uncovers probable instances of  Grant's drunkenness during the war, and debunks many false accusations by military rivals, political enemies, and subordinates. Chernow also goes a long way toward rescuing Grant's terms as President from those More Later.