ULYSSES S. GRANT The American Presidents Series

Ulysses S. Grant was a hard-working family man who reluctantly took a commanding role in the Civil War and later ran for the presidency with equal reluctance. Still, he won the respect of President Lincoln as he led the Union forces to victory. He became president to preserve Reconstruction, overseeing an administration often characterized as weak and corrupt. Though reiterating criticisms of Grant's reluctance to confront dishonest members of his administration, Josiah Bunting III finds much to admire about Grant, who boldly championed the rights of freed blacks and American Indians. Richard Rohan's reading stays low-key but avoids a dry lecturer's tone. Bunting's portrait of a dedicated but imperfect man reminds listeners of his importance to the Union. J.A.S. (c) AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/ MAR 05]