Ulysses S. Grant: A Victor, Not a Butcher: The Military Genius of the Man Who Won the Civil War

By Edward H. Bonekemper, III

Ulysses S. Grant is often accused of being a cold–hearted butcher of his troops. In Ulysses S. Grant: A Victor, Not a Butcher, historian Edward H. Bonekemper III proves that Grant’s casualty rates actually compared favorably with those of other Civil War generals. His perseverance, decisiveness, moral courage, and political acumen place him among the greatest generals of the Civil War—indeed, of all military history. Bonekemper proves that it was no historical accident that Grant accepted the surrender of three entire Confederate armies and won the Civil War. Bonekemper ably silences Grant’s critics and restores Grant to the heroic reputation he so richly deserves.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Regnery History
• Release date: Sep 21, 2010
• ISBN: 9781596981669

Reviews for Ulysses S. Grant

[pmackey_11 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

"Ulysses S. Grant: A Victor Not A Butcher" is a good read that provides an overview of Grant's life and military career. I especially appreciated the chapter on Grant's winning characteristics -- what he did and how he did it -- something I can use in my career. The book also has good appendices including one comparing various casualty estimates which was crucial in establishing that Grant often had a lower or comparable casualty rate than other leaders, which is remarkable because he was usually on the offensive. Grant was in many ways the first modern General as demonstrated by his mastery of combined operations, use of technology, and manuever warfare. It is inevitable that Grant is compared to Robert E. Lee. This book helps re-establish Grant's proper reputation as the greatest Civil War general. While Lee was a great general, he focused too much on Virginia whereas Grant grasped President Lincoln's war aims and developed and accomplished a national strategy.

[markbstephenson · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Excellent book which stimulated me to read Grant's own excellent Memoirs.