Williams, Jean K. Ulysses S. Grant. Minneapolis, Minn.: Compass Point Books, 2003.
ISBN: 0-7565-0265-9. $23.93.
Jean Kinney Williams tackles the difficult biography of the 18th president in her book,
Ulysses S. Grant. Aimed at older elementary through middle school students, the
biography offers six chapters with details about Grant’s life. Instead of beginning at the
subject’s birth, as biographies often do, Williams starts with a description of Grant as a
struggling farmer trying to sell firewood on a winter day four years before the Civil War.
She flashes back from that point to tell his life’s story, including both the positive and
negative parts of Grant’s life and presidency.
Ulysses S. Grant includes many primary source photographs, as well as paintings, maps,
and other images to enhance reading. The 64 pages are clearly numbered. There is a
Table of Contents, listing the chapters and other helpful sections at the end of the book.
The author includes bold words within the text that are defined in a Glossary. “Ulysses
S. Grant’s Life at a Glance” focuses on the bare-boned details of both his personal and
public life. “Ulysses S. Grant’s Life and Times” is a timeline comparing Grant’s life to
simultaneous world events. “Understanding Ulysses S. Grant and His Presidency” offers
resources in the library, on the web, and actual historic sites available to visit. “The U.S.
Presidents” lists each president of the United States in order, including the dates they held
office. An Index completes the book.
Part of the “Profiles of the Presidents” series by Compass Point Books, Ulysses S. Grant
could be used at either the upper elementary or middle school level. As a biography, this
book would be ideal for a student researching a famous historical figure. Students who
are interested in the Civil War or U.S. presidents would find the book informative about
Grant’s life, without being too difficult to read. The target audience is ages 8-12.
Highly Recommended.
Possible SOL uses:
English (2002)
3.6
7.5
The student will continue to read and demonstrate comprehension of nonfiction.
f.) Summarize major points found in nonfiction materials.
g.) Identify the characteristics of biographies and autobiographies.
h.) Compare and contrast the lives of two persons as described in biographies
and/or autobiographies.
The student will read and demonstrate comprehension of a variety of fiction,
narrative nonfiction, and poetry.
b.) Compare and contrast forms, including short stories, novels, plays, folk
literature, poetry, essays, and biographies.
History and Social Science (2001)
VS.7
The student will demonstrate knowledge of the issues that divided our nation
and led to the Civil War by
USI.9
a) identifying the events and differences between northern and southern states
that divided Virginians and led to secession, war, and the creation of West
Virginia;
The student will demonstrate knowledge of the causes, major events, and effects
of the Civil War by
d.) describing the roles of Abraham Lincoln, Jefferson Davis, Ulysses S. Grant,
Robert E. Lee, Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson, and Frederick Douglass in
events leading to and during the war;
Reviewed by Alaina DeHaven
October, 2006
Williams, Jean Kinney. Ulysses S. Grant. Minneapolis: Compass Point Books, 2003 ISBN 07565-0265-9 Price: $16.27
In this biographical work, the author follows the life of Ulysses S. Grant from his early years as a
struggling farmer to the Presidency and civilian life after the White House.
Born in 1822, U.S. Grant was raised in Ohio where, early on, he developed a love for animals and
the great outdoors. After a stint at West Point ending in 1843 ,Grant participated in the war with
Mexico over possession of Texas (1846-1848) and then entered married life, starting a family
soon after. Missing his family terribly while serving as an officer in the army, Grant left military life
and held a series of positions until he accepted a job working for his father in his leather goods
store. At the beginning of the Civil War, Grant, desiring to support the Union, re-enlisted, entering
the army again. Rising through the ranks quickly, he soon proved himself in battle and caught the
eye of President Abraham Lincoln. He proved to be an excellent officer and commander and is
remembered, significantly, for accepting the surrender of the Confederacy from Robert E. Lee at
Appomattox.
After the war ended, Grant’s popularity as a military leader helped him win a bid for the
Presidency. Dealing with issues such as protection and rights for former slaves and Native
American problems in the west, Grant’s stint in the White House allowed him to tackle some
important problems, but was beset by scandal. Although a brilliant military leader, he chose
poorly when selecting subordinates for his cabinet. Many of those in his administration practiced
unethical behavior and ultimately hindered the overall effectiveness of his tenure as President (he
served two terms).
Upon his return to civilian life, U.S. Grant did not fare well. A series of failed business ventures
eventually led to bankruptcy. Stricken with throat cancer near the end of his life, Grant did
succeed in completing his memoirs which provided for the financial needs of his family after his
death in 1885.
The author’s treatment of the life of U.S. Grant is geared towards readers ages 9 – 12. A time-line
of Grant’s life and world events provided at the end of the book is helpful for students in
understanding events of the nineteenth-century in the U.S. and across the globe. The author also
provides a list of historic sites relating to Grant around the country and a number of good sources
for additional information relating to his life and Presidency. This book serves as an excellent
introduction for young readers to the life of U.S. Grant and the military history of the United
States. I highly recommend it.
POSSIBLE SOL USES:
USI.9a-f/USI.1a-d,f,h: Civil War
USI.8d/USI.1b-d, h: Abolition and Slavery
USII.2a-c: Post Civil War
Reviewed by Todd G. Duncan
Special Education Instructor Hampton City Schools
March 7, 2005