Re: Worst Presidents. I was taught early on that U.S. Grant was one of our worst. I believed it until I read Jean Edward Smith’s Grant. Smith shows Grant warts and all, but he comes out an outstanding President. He has great words about Grant’s magnanimity, treatment of Indians and his handling of the financial crisis of ‘73. There is also a quote from David Herbert Donald who states that Grant is the most underrated American in history. What a book! It’s over 600 pages and is history at its best, one of the best books I’ve read in the last twenty years.
“There is also a quote from David Herbert Donald who states that Grant is the most underrated American in history.”
I can believe that. He had a real humanity that eludes most politicians. I know, he adopted a bloody and pedestrian policy of attrition to win the Civil War for the Washington government, but you can see the grief in his eyes over it too.
His memoirs reveal a thoughtful and considerate man, and a critical thinker. His thoughts on the war with Mexico are very interesting.