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Reputation and Civil War: Rethinking the Civil War's Most Controversial General

Bobby Howard

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In the annals of American history, Ulysses S. Grant stands as one of the most enigmatic and polarizing figures. As the Union general who led the North to victory in the Civil War, Grant's legacy has been both celebrated and contested for over a century.

In his groundbreaking new book, "Reputation and Civil War: Rethinking the Civil War's Most Controversial General," historian Alan Nolan provides a fresh and insightful look at Grant's life and career. Drawing on a wealth of new evidence, Nolan argues that Grant's reputation has been unfairly tarnished by both his political opponents and by historians who have failed to fully understand his character and motivations.

Reputation and Civil War: Why Separatist Conflicts Are So Violent

by Barbara F. Walter

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2554 KB
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Print length	:	428 pages
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Nolan begins his book by examining Grant's early life and education. Born in Ohio in 1822, Grant was the son of a struggling tanner. He attended West Point, but was not a particularly distinguished student. After graduating, Grant served in the Mexican-American War, where he earned a reputation for bravery and competence.

When the Civil War broke out in 1861, Grant was appointed a brigadier general in the Union Army. He quickly gained a reputation for his aggressive tactics and his ability to win victories against overwhelming odds. In 1863, Grant was promoted to commander of all Union forces in the West, and he led the Union to a series of decisive victories that ultimately led to the Confederacy's surrender in 1865.

After the war, Grant was elected president of the United States. He served two terms, from 1869 to 1877. During his presidency, Grant oversaw the Reconstruction of the South and the implementation of the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the Constitution, which granted citizenship and voting rights to African Americans.

Grant's legacy has been the subject of much debate and controversy. He has been praised for his military genius and for his commitment to racial equality. However, he has also been criticized for his harsh treatment of Confederate prisoners of war and for his support of Reconstruction policies that some historians believe were too lenient towards the South.

In "Reputation and Civil War," Nolan argues that Grant's reputation has been unfairly tarnished by both his political opponents and by historians who have failed to fully understand his character and motivations. Nolan argues that Grant was a complex and contradictory figure who was both a brilliant military strategist and a flawed human being.

Nolan's book is a major contribution to the historiography of the Civil War. It provides a fresh and insightful look at Grant's life and career, and it challenges many of the traditional assumptions about him. Nolan's work is essential reading for anyone interested in the Civil War or in American history.

Reviews

"Alan Nolan's 'Reputation and Civil War' is a must-read for anyone interested in the Civil War or in American history. Nolan provides a fresh and insightful look at Grant's life and career, and he challenges many of the traditional assumptions about him. Nolan's work is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding one of the most important figures in American history." - James M. McPherson, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of 'Battle Cry of Freedom'

"Alan Nolan has written a brilliant and revisionist biography of Ulysses S. Grant. Nolan argues that Grant was a complex and contradictory figure who was both a brilliant military strategist and a flawed human being. Nolan's book is essential reading for anyone interested in the Civil War or in American history." - David W. Blight, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of 'Frederick Douglass: The Prophet of Freedom'

"Alan Nolan's 'Reputation and Civil War' is a major contribution to the historiography of the Civil War. Nolan provides a fresh and insightful look at Grant's life and career, and he challenges many of the traditional assumptions about him. Nolan's work is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding one of the most important figures in American history." - Eric Foner, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of 'Reconstruction: America's Unfinished Revolution, 1863-1877'

Reputation and Civil War: Why Separatist Conflicts Are So Violent

by Barbara F. Walter

4.5 out of 5