A Pulitzer Prizeâwinning historian looks at the complex, controversial Union commander who ensured the Confederacyâs downfall in the Civil War.
In this New York Times bestseller, preeminent Civil War historian Bruce Catton narrows his focus on commander Ulysses S. Grant, whose bold tactics and relentless dedication to the Union ultimately ensured a Northern victory in the nationâs bloodiest conflict.
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While a succession of Union generalsâfrom McClellan to Burnside to Hooker to Meadeâwere losing battles and sacrificing troops due to ego, egregious errors, and incompetence, an unassuming Federal Army commander was excelling in the Western theater of operations. Though unskilled in military power politics and disregarded by his peers, Colonel Grant, commander of the Twenty-First Illinois Volunteer Infantry, was proving to be an unstoppable force. He won victory after victory at Belmont, Fort Henry, and Fort Donelson, while brilliantly avoiding near-catastrophe and ultimately triumphing at Shiloh. And Grantâs bold maneuvers at Vicksburg would cost the Confederacy its invaluable lifeline: the Mississippi River. But destiny and President Lincoln had even loftier plans for Grant, placing nothing less than the future of an entire nation in the capable hands of the Northâs most valuable military leader.
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Based in large part on military communiquÊs, personal eyewitness accounts, and Grantâs own writings, Cattonâs extraordinary history offers readers an insightful look at arguably the most innovative Civil War battlefield strategist, unmatched by even the Southâs legendary Robert E. Lee.