General Grant and the Verdict of History

“The purpose of Frank Varney’s book is not a per se attack on Ulysses S. Grant, although the general clearly emerges as tarnished. Rather, the book is a challenge to historians who have too often accepted and uncritically repeated Grant’s own self-serving analysis of events. The book reminds historians of the complicated nature of careers, motives, and relationships.” ~Larry J. Daniel, author of Conquered: Why the Army of Tennessee Failed

“Ulysses S. Grant expressed a decided distaste for fellow generals Hooker, Thomas, and Warren, although not to the level of his hatred for Rosecrans. Grant’s wartime reports and his Personal Memoirs have been all-too-effective weapons with which to unduly demean such admirable commanders. In General Grant and the Verdict of History, Dr. Varney’s second volume continues the task of the first: serving as an antidote to the exaggerations and falsehoods propagated by Ulysses S. Grant.” ~Joseph A. Rose, author of Grant Under Fire

“Dr. Varney’s continued examination of Ulysses S. Grant’s complicated relationships with many of his Civil War peers greatly deepens our understanding of that war, and how it came to be remembered. Grant is undoubtedly a complicated figure, and he shaped much of the history of that struggle. This unblinking examination of those complications and of that shaping should be devoured by all students of the Civil War. Highly recommended.” ~David A. Powell, award-winning author of The Chickamauga Campaign trilogy

“At a time when Grant’s reputation continues to undergo a much-needed and much-deserved renaissance, it remains important to keep a critical eye open so that the pendulum doesn’t swing too far into adoration. Borrowing a final assessment from Joshua L. Chamberlain, Frank Varney says “We could not call [Grant] less than great,” but Varney’s willingness to look with unvarnished eyes at the documentary evidence also serves as an important reminder that Grant was not without his personal and professional jealousies. Varney invites us to better know Grant as a man, which helps us better understand Grant’s greatness.” ~Chris Mackowski, editor-in-chief, Emerging Civil War