U Books

Lorie Conway takes readers into one the of most historic landmarks in US history, Ellis Island. FORGOTTEN ELLIS ISLAND: THE EXTRAORDINARY STORY OF AMERICA'S IMMIGRANT HOSPITAL peruses history, and revisits an important relic from America's immigrant past, which is also the epitome and constant reminder of the history of the United States and its people. The book examines the building that housed, nursed, and recorded/documented the many immigrants who passed through its halls.

With its impressive narrative and an array of photographs dating back to the early twentieth century during the height of immigration, Conway writes about one of the most defining moments in the American Dream story. But there also entailed the dark moments of immigration that involved the "other" or non-American born peoples, and how they had to endure painstaking and excruciating steps after walking off the ships in which they came from afar, which involved medical examinations and quarantines. Furthermore, immigrants were scrutinized, and many believed that they hindered the social make-up of American society; their reactions came in the form of discrimination and partisanship that was sociological, medical, and political in nature. For example, jingoist political cartoons show the depictions, such as one cartoon of Uncle Sam "rocking the boat" or shaking his fist in defiance towards newly arrived immigrants.

FORGOTTEN ELLIS ISLAND is an important part of American history. This story is an eye-opening narrative filled with retrospection. For those who may have visited the main building of Ellis Island, which is now a museum, this book may enhance their understanding of the immigration history and experience. But most importantly, it also delves into the issue of American identity, and how the United States was shaped and built by immigrants.

This was a great book to read. It never dawned on me that immigrants were medically screened before coming into the US. The pictures were great and the documentary was very informative.

The staff at the hospital were caring and willing to help when no one else was.

I plan to read more on this.

This was an interesting part of the Ellis Island story I had never before heard. The book was fascinating and enjoyable. However I dropped the last star because of a two things - most photos were not labeled and I felt that the stories of those who worked there, with the exception of the doctors, were ignored. I was left with the desire for more information, but I recognize that resources are apparently difficult to get find and access.

I FOUND THAT THE BOOK GAVE A LOT OF VERY INTERESTING FACTS ON HISTORY THAT HAS PROMPTED ME TO LOOK INTO EVEN FURTHER ! GREAT BOOK

I really enjoyed this book because I did not know a whole lot about the Ellis island situation and was fascinated at the detail that this book gave about the construction of the hospitals and how patients got placed in them. I also had no idea that the immigrants had so many skin diseases but after reading about the sanitation conditions I was not surprised. It is truly amazing what our ancestors had to go through to live here.

As an Architect student, I love this book. I show all my friends how a real great mind works. Wright is my favorite architect, so when I was this it was a given ofr me to buy it. I highly suggest checking your local book store first, because I bought this EXACT one for 13 dollars.

Un buon libro in cui è racchiuso l'essenziale. Molto curato e fuori dal comune per la ricchezza di particolari. Un'ottima idea regalo per chi vuole avvicinarsi alle opere di Frank Lloyd Wright.

This is clearly a labor of love. The solid box the book fits into is very cool. Keeps the book with about 9 clear sleeves with insert papers from gettin' smushed. A few nice big photos. Plenty a text. Other good smaller photos. And a cd of Wright speaking. It's nice to finally have some drawings to hold and unfold. I'm not sure all 18 or so of them are what I would have chosen. One in particular is pretty basic. But the mile high tower is 3 folded tall. And there's maybe 6 letters he sent out, modern letter writers might not recognize them with their notations and corrections because since computers we don't need to make such written corrections but in his day that's all they had. I'd easily have taken more and bigger drawings than any of the letters. As it is most of the drawings are 3 or 4 foldouts, very nice. Definitely worth the lower used price available on amazon.com. I think you do have to be a fan though to appreciate it. I'd love to see more books made this way, expanding the notion of what a book is or can be.

This is a unique book, nothing else like it around. A great coffee table book or a gift for anyone interested in architecture or the works of Frank Lloyd Wright.
Highly recommended.

A must-have for FLW fans. Can be found remaindered for less but this price is decent. Make sure its in good shape. Well-made, written & produced, worth every penny.

A true story of Frank McCourt and his family. Even though here is a good side to the alcoholic father, he has too much pride to do what it takes to provide for his family, the mother is in a continual state of depression, and the children are starved, abused and neglected, but the book held my interest. The ending of the story was disappointing! What happened after Frank went to America? Did he bring his family over? It appears like Frank McCourt got fed up with writing the book and left the ending for speculation. In my opinion didn't deserve Pulitzer Prize, however I would recommend the book.

angela's ashes was a depressing book which was well written and spellbinding- a true gem. You constantly are flipping back to the dedication page to see if the children survived. The movie doesn't do it justice. Tis was a disappointment to me because i couldn't get an emotional attachment to frank's story until the final chapter.

The moment I finished this book I felt a bit lost. I really didn't want it to end. Wonderful book. I got 'Tis right after. Now i'm reading it.. too fast, again. I would like to thank Frank McCourt for sharing his life and this wonderful work. And to ask him to please keep writting.

McCourt's 'Angela's Ashes' leads the reader through the author's impoverished childhood in Ireland. It introduces his parents, brothers and baby sister and the dire circumstances they managed to survive. The story captivated me with the first paragraph. ''Tis' continues McCourt's adventures as he arrives in the United States as a young man. His stint in the Army, his quest for an education and his long search for love are all braided into a moving and unforgetable story. I recommend that you experience both books via audio tape. The author's charming Irish brogue only adds richness to an already overwhelming story.

Purchased Angela's Ashes in the late spring after hearing so much about the book and movie in the past 2 years and was completely blown away with Frank McCourt's life/work. Left hanging by the lack of ending in Angela's Ashes, it was quickly on to 'Tis and immediately thereafter, A Monk Swimming by Frank's brother Malachy McCourt.

Angela's Ashes is riveting for the sheer horror of escalating human tragedy. Just rented the movie and listened to my 11-year-old son repeat over and over, "just when you think it can't get any worse...it does". The book is far more graphic and not at all for the faint of heart. Malachy Sr., who loves his children desperately, is incredible in his alcoholism but even more incredible in his confused indifference to the suffering of his family. Angela is simultaneously pathetic and heroic possessing all the destructive sarcasm of her pretentiously proud mother and sister with an ability to do what is necessary to ensure her survival, along with 4 of her 7 children. Denial kills 3 children and a marriage, while the want of the most basic human contact turns a mother to incest. Miraculously, Frank survives and even thrives, driven by the things that his father did not possess...common sense, the gratification of a hard days work, sobriety, and I would argue literary genius.

`Tis is the ending that Angela's Ashes required and the reader learns that some of Frank's parent's demons have come home to roost. Despite his ability to succeed in America, Frank finds himself trapped in dysfunctional relationships and making several alcohol-induced blunders. Frank's observations/experiences about America/Education in the 50's, 60's, and into the 70's seem very fresh through his Irish eyes (2 holes in the snow they may be). With this, `Tis takes on a more historical/documentary feel rather than a personal memoir. My wife felt that Frank whined a bit in `Tis and I'd agree that some of the later chapters about his teaching experiences contain some unnecessary tangents. You are left with Frank McCourt's bittersweet feelings on the death of Angela in New York and finally Malachy Sr. in Belfast.

Both works are absolute page-turners with the shame, and alcohol, and Irishness fanning the flames of your humanity with horror, sadness, and delight. Hoping for a third book to bring us through Frank's eventual divorce and life in the 90's.

I found this book to be helpful in getting my daughter to realize that everyone is afraid of something and that fear is a natural emotion. This books helps to show how the characters deal with their fears. If your child is very fearful of the dark, I would recommend you read the book before sharing with your child. I had no problems with an increase in fears after reading this book but neither of my children are very fearful of the dark.

This Franklin book is one of my favorites! All the Franklin books are great! This book teaches kids not to be afraid of the dark! Lots of reading for smaller children, but great pictures!

I GIVE THIS BOOK A FIVE STAR BECAUSE IT TEACHES YOUNGER KIDS BETWEEN THE AGES OF 1-6 ABOUT THE DARK AND HOW IT IS NOT SCARY.

This was our first Franklin book and my son really, really likes Franklin now. I had never heard of him before this book, which was a "gift" from the pediatrician for my son's pre-preschool check-up.

The Franklin books are great.

This one, however, I wish we had skipped.

The thing is, my son was never afraid of the dark. I don't think it ever occurred to him that you *should* be afraid of the dark. But after reading this book, he started to have nightmares. We can't get him to tell us what they are about exactly but they have something to do with Franklin and his small, dark shell.

This might be a good book to help a child who is afraid of the dark get over it. But unless our child is some sort of anomoly, it could also have the potential of giving bad ideas to a child who is not afraid of the dark.

Consider your child when you purchase this book.

This is the best of all of the Franklin stories, and the first one published. It's a wonderful read aloud story, a great story for children to act out, and an easy way to begin a discussion of "things that scare us". Children are amazed to learn that grownups can be frightened of things too. This book should be in every child's home collection and in every elementary teacher's too!

I purchased this book for my brother's 60th birthday- having grown up in Detroit- thought it would be a great walk down memory lane. He called me when he received the gift and absolutely gushed- loved every entry. Now, i may have to buy a copy for ME. thanks

My mom wanted this book for Christmas. I read some parts of it and found it very intersting. So many people that I recall from my childhood. Good book.

Wow - What a great book! I bought it as a gift but will have to get a copy for my personal library. It was wonderful to read about the television personalities from my youth along with the other Detroit notables that this book covers. It even had the words to some of the commercial jingles that we used to sing along with. Having moved away from Detroit several years ago, I had often wondered what happened to a lot of the people I grew up watching on TV and this book answered those questions. If you were a Detroit kid in the 50's or 60's, I highly recommend that you get a copy of this book and take a stroll back to your childhood.

You need to be a fan of Detroit television or TV history to enjoy the specialized From Soupy To Nuts! A History Of Detroit Television, but such an audience will relish this cruise through Detroit television shows and background. Black and white photos accompany spotlight biographies on some of the most famous show personalities of the past, from Robin Seymour, host of 'Swingin Time', to news show personalities such as American Black Journal. A recommended specialty pick for broadcasting and Detroit-specific collections.

This is a MUST READ for anyone who lived in Detroit in the 50's and 60's. Nostalgia reigns as the authors comprehensively share information on television favorites such as Bill Kennedy, Captain Jolly and Poopdeck Paul, Milky the Clown and more. Loved it.

Great overview of the valley history and key players who influenced the culture and its success. Ashley's recommendations on restaurants are eclectic and fun as well.

Highly recommended. I bought some for gifts as well.

Larry Laurich, CEO DRC Computer Corp

This book delivers as advertised. A great summary of Silicon Valley. If you've just arrived in the valley it is indispensable. Pick up this book and spend your time learning, visiting and eating through the locales mentioned. (They should hand this out to incoming students at Stanford, and at the immigration line at SFO.)

Minor quibble, the book suffers from "young journalist syndrome," where its history, anecdotes and insights are a synthesis of the bibliography in the back. However, kudos to the author for reading more valley history than 99% of other writers. He is headed for greatness when he finds his own voice.

I've been involved with the tech business for 15 years and know my way around the places and companies in the valley. I found this book hugely entertaining and informative. At first look, it seems more like a travel book or specialized city guide than anything else - which is fine and a worthy accomplishment. However, there's a whole lot more....Ashlee lays out the history of the valley and the reasons why it has developed into the technical center of the world. Along the way, he provides easy to understand explanations of the technology and how each invention and advance launched new ventures or opened new markets. Finally, he delves into the personalities of both the key individuals and companies, which, for me at least, ties everything together and makes it a much more interesting and enjoyable read. Highly recommended....

Like technology? Like history? Like good writing? OK. This is your book. A little bit travel guide, a little bit history and a lot of fun, Ashlee Vance brings his truly unique and refreshing writing style in a book that is required reading for anyone involved in the technology industry.

I suspect they will be using this as a text book for some course or another at Stanford, and then Ashlee will become a full professor and his head will get really big and, well, that will be that. But read it anyway.

This is a great little book. Part historical overview, part travel guide, it's written in the breezy, easy-going style of Vance's columns in The Register, the best of the online IT rags (except that the book has been carefully proofread, unlike a typical Register story). In less than 250 pages Vance has covered almost all of the important historic events and personalities behind Silicon Valley, and provided a great set of tips of places for visiting, dining and drinking. There's even a good list of books and web sites for further reading.

I've lived in the Valley for nearly 15 years, and yet learned a fair amount from this book, including several places to visit that were new to me. There were only a few curious omissions: e.g., Halted gets a mention, but Fry's does not; neither does Buck's in Woodside; and surely Frank Drake should be mentioned in the section on the SETI Institute? - but otherwise the text is remarkably accurate, despite having condensed many complex histories, each worthy of a book in its own right, into paragraphs or pages. Vance clearly did his homework. My only historical quibble is with his description of the demise of SGI. I thought it was mainly done in by cheap graphics chips from Nvidia and the like; Itanic was just the icing on the cake.

The book mentions his web site and claims additional information can be found there, but so far there isn't anything new. Hopefully that will change over time. Another concern is that quite a bit of the information in the book will date fast; I hope Vance and his publisher refreshes the text (or the website, or both) regularly.

If you live in the Valley, visit the Valley, or you just want to know what the heck the place is about, this book is for you. And if you're a geek too, it's a must-read.

Genius of America is a historical commentary and analysis of the making of the Constitution of the United States. Authors Lane and Oreskes show that the Constitution was born out of difficult struggles, political, economical, and civic that helped to sharpen and clarify important principles and values needed to establish liberty. They assert that American's have gradually forgotten the important values and principles that make up our constitution. These are the values and principles that framers of the constitution were trying to institutionalize by creating the constitution, and in so doing create a "Constitutional Conscience" that would serve to guide and unite US citizens through the most difficult struggles.

Some of these principles and values that help form the constitution and that I feel promote the "Constitutional Conscience" are listed as follows: 1. people are imperfect and self-interested and government cannot legislate that away; rather it is better to leverage this human trait for the benefit of the whole of society 2. Seeking consensus and compromise is just as important if not more important than seeking perfection 3. No segment of the population should be able to impose their values on the whole of society without the whole consent (albeit represented/elected consent) 4. Power in government needs to be continually checked 5. Every sector of government should derive its power from its citizens. 6. Political process should be valued/prized above political outcome; there is safety in deliberation that transcends any given policy or result

That last principle, Political Process should be valued above political outcome, is perhaps the most important principle of all because it's the processes of the constitution that promote our inalienable rights, which rights must endure through the ages despite any single political outcome. Unfortunately, as the authors point out, we have become a "sound bite" society, focused more on the outputs of the political process and less on deliberation and thoughtful counsel. For the constitution to work, we must not be aloof and petty but should be engaged and participating with a keen awareness of the issues especially when our inalienable rights are at risk. We the people must ensure that our federal government works, that congress truly checks the power of the president and visa versa, and that we have strong judges, and return back to the principles that empower us, the principles embodied in our Constitution.

The one topic that I thought for sure would be included as a chapter in this book would but wasn't, was a discussion about the next hypothetical situation under which our constitution will be tested -yet again and perhaps for the last time, or in effect conditions under which our constitution might need to be re-established anew. After all, experiencing great conflict is how the framers developed the metal and determination necessary to create the Constitution in the first place. I thought for sure the authors might discuss a World War III scenario or some economic conflict that creates the conditions where our constitution is stretched close to the breaking point and how we might prepare for that situation. If that situation happens, I hope that there will be principled men, like Hamilton, Madison, and Jefferson that can rise up again, to re-establish the Constitution of the United States of America.

I found this book was inspiring to read and I hope my good friends and fellow citizens will take the opportunity to read it, and make the resolve that I did, to be a better American, to be more involved in my community, and to develop a stronger "Constitutional Conscience".

I'm a business person--not student, not a scholar. This book is fantastic--readable, digestible, and incredibly well-written. It does a great job of presenting the information, and avoiding the typical pitfalls of trying to use a modified version of history to support a political view. It was interesting to read, and it kept my attention through-out. The modern day tie-ins are great as well; the examples of the Constitution's struggles and victories are well-presented. My hunch is that scholars will admire the book, students will learn from it, and I can vouch that as a business person who likes to expand my depth of knowledge and look for historical lessons in the country's successes/failures that I can apply to business, I certainly appreciate this book...Thanks for writing it!

The right of habeas corpus, established in England in 1215, is a glory of the American Constitution. But when habeas corpus was effectively abolished at the federal level in 2006 --- not by a Constitutional amendment, but via the Military Commissions Act --- few howled. You may wonder why.

The answer is partly political: That legislation was ostensibly aimed at terrorists, and in Washington you have only to say the T-word to transform even passionate defenders of the Constitution into lapdogs of an ever-expanding Executive branch. But our passivity in the face of the loss of one of our most cherished rights also reveals our lack of interest in our past. History? That's for Advanced Placement exams. The Constitution? Sooooo 1789.

Eric Lane and Michael Oreskes --- a professor and a journalist --- were sufficiently alarmed by our dangerous bout of amnesia to write a 220-page primer on the Constitution. For them, America's "extraordinary success" is not because of our square-jawed politicians or our innovative businessmen or our hard-working farmers ---it's our "unique form of government."

Unique in what way? Our form of government is "self-contained" --- there's no Higher Authority, either in the form of God or king. The Constitution acknowledges that people are selfish and generally care only about themselves; it forces us to compromise for the greater good. In short, our 7,000-word Constitution is a radical philosophical breakthrough that's also rubber-meets-the-road practical.

And the result? The longest-lived democracy in the history of the world.

Lane and Oreskes begin by telling the story of the years between 1776 and 1787, when the success of the American experiment was anything but certain. We've all studied that period; I had forgotten almost everything about its divisiveness. And its aftermath: Do you remember, for example, that in 1798 John Adams and his allies criminalized criticism of their activities --- and arrested their critics?

Entire books have been written about the years leading up to the Bill of Rights; for Lane and Oreskes, it's just the prequel. The real protein in these pages is what happened next --- challenges to the system from the Confederacy to Martin Luther King to women's rights, seen through a Constitutional perspective.

For me, the most fascinating passages are about events of the last century --- in historical terms, "current events." I thought I was up on the Depression, but I had no idea that, in Franklin Roosevelt's first inaugural address, he got a huge ovation for suggesting he might need extraordinary powers to deal with the economic crisis. And FDR wasn't alone; Barron's Magazine called for a "genial and lighthearted dictator."

As it worked out, FDR found other ways to get what he wanted. But surviving the Depressing and emerging as a superpower after World War II didn't dampen that conversation. Our recent history suggests that we don't agree on much --- Lane and Oreskes frame the story of the last half-century as a debate between government-as-problem and government-as-solution.

Starting with Ronald Reagan, they write, Americans began to question the value of once-sacred institutions. To say this worries them is to understate: "We make mistakes as a country when we move away from how our system was built to work." Their warning is stark: "The wrong crisis at the wrong moment could push us over the edge before we realize what we have done."

The important contribution of this small book is to remind us that democracy is fragile --- and that we should not despair at the debate we are having. The framers would smile at our struggles; they knew them well. And they would presumably tell us what Lane and Oreskes do: Look back, look back. If we want to move forward, for the sake of our democracy, look back.

--- Jesse Kornbluth, for HeadButler.com

I read The Genius of America with great interest, both from an historical perspective as well as a view on the current application in our country today. The book was brief and succinct but powerful. Although I have studied American history, it gave me a summary not only of decisions made but the important rationale behind these decisions.
It's an amazing tribute to the Framers that a relatively short document could withstand over 200 years of use and scrutiny and still be as meaningful in 2007. If politicians today could get beyond their own narrow, party-driven, polarizing issues and work as our Founders did to reach compromise for the best interest of the country, we'd all be better served.
I recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in sustaining our Democracy, and it should be mandatory reading for young students who need to understand the freedoms they take for granted and how to preserve them.

"The Genius of America" provides an inspiring review of why our Constitution was built the way it was, how it has lasted through the years, and brought equality to minorities and women. However, it has not been "fool-proof" - eg., both Lincoln, FDR and Bush II blatantly violated the Constitution during war years, and the problem is getting worse. Recent years have also shown how vulnerable our government is to selection of Supreme Court Justices' biases.

However, the biggest American constitution problem by far is its inability to reign in the influence of corporate and political group (eg. unions, religious sects) contributions - thus, blocking greatly needed change in education, health care, environmental protection, immigration, foreign policy, and the outsourcing of American jobs. Lawsuits, liars (eg. politicians and others), lobbyists, ignorant voters, non-voters, legislative gamesmanship (eg. combining unrelated issues, making it easier for legislators to explain their votes) and "think tanks" with an axe to grind have made such a farce of representative government that even China and Russia can (and often do) credibly discount its value.

Yes, our Founding Fathers deserve enormous credit for their wisdom, and "The Genius of America" helps us celebrate that; however, it is past time to substantially revise their work.

This book is a really good book. Like all of Mary Downing Hahn's books, this book is unlike others. Eliza, a tomboy girl who lives with her aunt and uncle decides to go and try to find her papa. On her journy she meets Calvin. A boy that claims he's an outlaw. They go through many adventures and then in the end Eliza shows true courage and they also find a shocking surprise that awaits them at the end of their journey. I recemend this book to ages 9 and up.

This is a really great book. It kept me interested not only because of its great descriptions and exciting plot, but also because I live in Colorado. Mary Hahn is a fantastic author and a lot of thought was put into her book. It's a story everyone should know.

This is a great book. I'm 12 and this a book for everyone to enjoy. the descriptions are great and not to long. There is not a single part where this story is boring. You feel like you are in the story and in the old west. This book is not an old fashioned book. You can realy picture the characters

This book really makes you feel like your in the Old West. It especially got me interested when I discovered the hero (or heroin) was a girl! This is a great story for readers or all ages!

Eliza Yates lives with her mean relatives that whip her with a belt if she does one thing wrong. Finally Eliza gets fed up with being a slave for her aunt, uncle and three cousins so one night she takes the money that her mother gave her in the will (that her Aunt took) So Eliza runs off and dresses in boys overalls and cuts her hair along the way she finds Calvin Featherbone who also is heading to Colorodo then Eliza finds that Calvin and she are looking for the same man Eliza is looking for her father to love,and Calvin is looking for her father for revenge of his fathers death. A great book for all readers who love the old west and who just want to read!!!

I had read this 30 years ago or so when I was a kid and I had fond memories of the book but couldn't remember what it was about. So, I bought a copy to read to my 9-year old daughter as a bedtime story and we were not disappointed. It is captivating, but you have to read the whole thing for all the pieces to come together and for the story to make sense. My daughter had me read some pages over and over because they were so funny.

Like the others, above, I am amazed this book is not in print. It is on my "must read" list; my father read it to me, I read it to my wife and children, and I encourage lots of people to read it. The publisher who didn't want to reprint it must be the cousin of the guy who turned down publication of the first Harry Potter book.

As with the other two people who have reviewed this book, I was introduced to it by my father. I very much enjoyed listening to this story. In the 20 years since, I have read this book several times - my copy is now ragged! I have also enjoyed reading this book to young people while working as a day care provider. There is enough mischief and mayhem, enough sneaky twists, and enough action to keep your attention. The language is, at times, poetic, at other times just plain funny. It is truly a crime that this book is not in print. I want to send a copy to my eleven year old half-sister, but don't want to give mine up!

This book is one of the funniest ever! Years ago, when I drove my latency-aged children across country, we had the book in the car, and to avoid sibling conflict on the long road trip, I had my daughter read it aloud. It's one of my most treasured memories. It has everything: Treasure, bad guys, good guys (Indians), clever kids who win the day. The publisher needs to get its head examined for not keeping it in print.

Arizona Slim tells the story as if he's chatting to you, and the misspellings help a lot. While reading you feel like you're in the book, with him. All the characters make you seem very close to them, and they are hilarios in their ways, language and actions. Their names are enough! For people who dont like long, slow moving book this is the one. Fast moving, interesting, original and above all funny. The book has a quality that you can't describe, it's so good. Really, whoever you are, you MUST read it.

Although Bruce Catton was an accomplished historian in his own right, one cannot help but notice the influence of the great Sherman biographer Lloyd Lewis. Anyone who has read Lewis' _Sherman: Fighting Profit_ will recognize similarities; the heavy reliance on primary sources and the uncanny ability to allow the reader to draw his or her own conclusions without explicitly stating the writer's intentions. Catton imitates Lewis' sinuous narrative style that captivates and draws the reader deeper into the manuscript. Unfortunately, however, Lewis only lived to publish the first of a multi-volume biography Ulysses S. Grant titled Captain Sam Grant . Lewis' widow commissioned Catton to finish the project utilizing much of the notes Lewis had gathered in the course of his research. The results are the two subsequent biographies authored by Catton: Grant Moves South and Grant Takes Command Catton begins his duel biography in June 1861 when Grant, appointed Colonel, takes command of the 21st Illinois Volunteer Infantry. Catton portrays Grant as a man of few words, yet possessing an ability to quickly earn the respect of his men. Grant stresses discipline and training particularly of his company grade officers. About half of the book is devoted to Grants participation at the battles of Belmont, Fort Henry, Fort Donelson and the near disaster at Shiloh. The remainder of the text focuses on the Vicksburg Campaign. Catton prefers a loosely structured chronological approach and provides his readers with a commanding view from headquarters. Catton relies upon letters, cables, and other communiques between officers, which tends to keep the focus on Grant and other high level players. Besides handwritten orders and other official documentation, Catton allows Grant to speak for himself through the only vestige we have: his memoirs. In contrast, Catton listens to what other observers have to say about Grant in their memoirs, particularly William T. Sherman and the unpublished memoir of Grant's wife, Julia Dent Grant. Juxtaposing this top-down approach is Catton's ability to portray the human frailties of Grant's personality. Grant's drinking is a recurring theme in which Catton bestows an admirable defense. Catton devotes considerable space to the Grant's uneasy relationship with General Henry Wager Halleck. To Halleck's charge that Grant disobeyed orders and failed to communicate his intentions at Fort Donelson, Catton counters by stating the Union communication system, as a whole was substandard. He suggests Confederate sympathizers manned telegraph offices squelching vital communiques.   Catton credits Halleck for saving Grant's command during the controversial political maneuvering of General John A. McClernand. Overall, Catton concludes that Grant certainly had his hands full during his early campaigns. On the one hand, Grant had the Vicksburg Campaign to plan and orchestrate; On the other hand, Grant was the target of dubious machinations from jealous staff officers and politicians in Washington bent of relinquishing his command. What is more, Grant was faced with economic issues and the problem of what to do with displaced contraband slaves that were pouring into his army camps on a daily basis. Referring to the former slaves as "Darkeys." Grant immediately put the Negro refugees to work maintaining roads, bridges and other military necessities that required manual labor.Catton again comes to the defense of Grant in his handling of these sensitive civil-military relations. In a controversial order, Grant categorized northern businessmen attempting to exploit profits from the sale of cotton as "Jews." Though these complex themes surrounding Ulysses S. Grant, are significant, they tend to diminish the genius for war Grant displayed during the Vicksburg Campaign. Taking into account that this is a biography of Grant and not a comprehensive treatment of the campaign that sealed his place in history, Catton could have evened out the balance rather than treating the campaign as a mere backdrop. Catton's eloquent literary style and his excellent syntheses of primary sources, make this a must have for any Grant afficionado.

I have always looked upon Grant as a symbol of the real America. Heres a Man who has seen and done it all. What with going from the rock bottom of poverty to commander of the entire Yankee Army then the House House to poverty again. Who never the less maintains his dignity and sense of honor thru out. Then follows up with heroically battling cancer to finish his memoirs to provide for his family. In this 1st book Mr. Catton who writes so well covers Grants rise to the top. Or as he said a major cog just dropped into the machine that would destroy the Confederacy. If you like to read some well chosen words on the War between the States, then get this series of books.

In "Grant Moves South" Bruce Catton picks up the story of Ulysses S. Grant as he returns to the U.S. Army at the start of the Civil War. This is the second volume of a trilogy on Grant begun by Lloyd Lewis and completed by Catton. Catton, one of the two best narrative historians of the Civil War (with Shelby Foote), is in excellent form in this extremely well-written biography of Grant's progression from Colonel of Illinois volunteers to victor at Vicksburg.

As General William Sherman acknowledged, Grant was something of a mystery to everyone, perhaps even himself. This man, a failure at virtually everything but his marriage and working as a clerk in his father's tannery in 1861, leverages his West Point education and some political connections into a commission as a regimental commander and never looks back. The Grant portrayed in these pages by Catton is like many officers at the beginning of the Civil War in that he is learning his trade as he went along. But Grant is different from most of his contemporaries, many of whom had far better reputations in the peacetime army. First, Grant had a remarkable ability to make sound common sense judgements under stress. Second, Grant married his ability to make decisions to an utter determination to see a project through. Third, Grant was a man seemingly without illusions; his ability to correctly characterize the task in front of him in order to attack it is rare among his contemporaries. These characteristics carried Grant through his apprenticeship as a regimental commander of volunteers, his successful campaign to secure middle Tennesee through victories at Forts Henry and Donelson, and finally his tenacious campaign to reduce the Confederate stronghold at Vicksburg. Grant's ability to understand and lead volunteers was a key underpinning of his success throughout the war.

Catton does not sugarcoat Grant's record. Grant was not above politicking for jobs or assignments. He was badly surprised by the Confederates at Shiloh and avoided being beaten to some degree by refusing to admit defeat and retreat. His pre-war problems with alcohol pursued him into the service, including an apparently memorable bender during the Siege of Vicksburg that Catton unflinchingly documents. The Vicksburg campaign was marked by costly trial and error, as Grant tried and discarded several unsuccessful approaches to the city. Grant, to his credit, persisted, finally rolling the dice by crossing the Mississippi and boldly placing his army between two Confederate forces while temporarily cut loose from his lines of communication.

This book was first published in 1960. Details and interpretations of events have evolved, but Catton's superb prose stands the test of time as a wonderful reading experience. This book is highly recommended to the general reader with some knowledge of the Civil War and to the student of the Civil War looking for the broad sweep of history not found in highly specialized studies.

Grant Moves South is part one of a two part Civil War study of Ulysses S. Grant. It covers the period 1861-1863, the period in which Grant emerges as the key commander in the Federal western army. Grant was something of an enigma. In a period of armchair Federal generals, when ego, as opposed to performance, ran rampant in the Federal High Command, quiet Sam Grant unassumingly went about capturing not one but two Confederate armies in the field. During the entire length of the Civil War no other commander on either side captured even one.

The study of Grant in these years is really the study of Federal victory in the Western Theater of operations. Belmont, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth and Vicksburg are all key Union victories. With the exception of Corinth, they were all battles in which Grant was in command. It was Grant who was primarily responsible for opening the Mississippi and cutting the Confederacy in two. Emerging from the Civil War as the finest general produced by either side, during this phase of the war, while not the best, he certainly is the equal of Stone wall Jackson or Robert E. Lee.

His audacious Vicksburg campaign was a signal event. Cutting free from reinforcements and resupply he moves rapidly, deep into enemy territory fighting not one but four major battles to invest Vicksburg from its land side. He then conducts siege operations while keeping Joe Johnston continually at bay. Vicksburg is generally acknowledged as one of the finest campaigns conducted by either side during the war.

Bruce Catton's book is extremely well done and like all of Catton's works, very ably written.

"Grant Moves South" shows why Bruce Catton is revered among Civil War readers. This book is a case study of the 1861-63 Grant, using his battles, first person accounts, records and Grant's own words to form a picture of the warrior. In this, Catton does an excellent job.

His thesis is that Grant was a different cut of General than the north possessed. One who early on grasped both the objectives of the war - to crush Southern armies and not occupy places - as well possessed of the will to learn how to win the new kind of war the country was waging.

Grant's own iron-cored (Catton's description) sense of himself, as well as his willingness to both learn and take good risks set him apart from almost every other warrior in the North. He was a fierce warrior who from his first encounter with the Confederates understood that the battle had to be taken to the enemy - and that delay for planning, training and logistics benefited the enemy as much as his forces. This appreciation Grant brought with him to the conflict. It is evident from his earliest forays at Fts. Henry and Donelson as well as the inconclusive field of Belmont. Other facets of this warrior had to be learned. In this Grant displayed an openness to the revelations of his own short comings and a willingness to show the world that he was prepared to be a student of warfare. Thus, even difficulties like Shiloh taught Grant that southern demoralization was not a constant factor and that defense in the face of the enemy were necessary and did not sap the fighting spirit of his troops. His early failed approaches to Vicksburg led him to throw away military maxims about supply lines, the necessity of holding fixed points and both the opportunity and advantages of an army living off the land.

Grant was a learner, an opportunist and a serious warrior who understood what the main thing was. In an era when political infighting and external political considerations mattered more than they seemed to in 20th Century American warfare, Grant let his actions advance his career (with some timely and great help from Congressman Washburn - his first political patron).

Catton gives the reader the whole story. This is a study of the man and his development as a warrior. Civil War readers who have feasted on the likes of Sears and others who write so well of battles and campaigns at the regimental level may be somewhat surprised that Catton's study relies much less on military detail and more on campaign strategy and command function. In this, Catton's work is more of an epic and serves to give the reader a picture of why things happened rather than an exhaustive account of what happened.

An oldie but a goodie - Catton should be required reading for every Civil War enthusiast and his Grant military biographies are wonderful examples of a master at his craft.