Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant

Ulysses S. Grant chronicles his life from birth through the Civil War, during which he rose to become the supreme commander of the Northern forces. He details his West Point training, service in the Mexican War, and his return to military service at the war's outbreak. Though detailed about military movements and strategy, the memoirs read with literary force, and Grant shows respect for his adversaries and generous credit to allies. He finished the work shortly before his death from throat cancer; Mark Twain's firm published the first edition in 1885.