Ulysses Grant is one of the most misunderstood figures in U.S. history. He was much more than the inept businessman and flawed President of history or the brutal but successful general of the Civil War. Ron Chernow in his masterful biography gives us a true understanding of a complex and complicated man. Much like he did with his stunning biography of Hamilton, we get to see a full picture of a flawed yet complicated man.
Despite a problem with drink, a poor businessman, yet an excellent soldier, he would ultimately prove himself during the Civil War rising to become head of the Union forces and Lincoln's closest military advisor. This of course would ultimately lead to a two term presidency which would ultimately be marred by corruption in his cabinet and staff. Yet during his presidency he would earn the admiration by black Americans for attempting to crush the Ku Klux Klan.
