Reviews for Political Leaders Of Contemporary Western Europe

The average rating for Political Leaders Of Contemporary Western Europe based on 2 reviews is 4.5 stars.

Review # 1 was written on 2012-02-05 00:00:00 Marc-Andre Frechette If you're going to read this, get yourself a good atlas and use it to follow troop movements, battle sites etc. Some items that I thought are of note 1] Grant got sick while at West Point and this persisted for some time after graduation. Similar to T. Roosevelt he believed his "life was saved, and my health restored, by exercise and exposure" 2] Duels are fought due to the "want of moral courage on the part of those engaged to decline" 3] "Bad habits spread more rapidly and universally than good ones" 4]"It is always in order to follow a retreating foe". Amazing that his 12 year old son accompanied him on much of his campaign. Finally I had no idea of the importance of navigable waterways in the "rebellion" (as Grant calls it) nor in the role of the navy (steamboats and gunboats) in securing a Union victory in many significant battles. The book also gives a great perspective on military strategy which would only be appreciated more with a map. While reading this I felt like I was sitting with a friend and having a beer while he told me what he had been doing since I last saw him. Loved it. Not at all what I expected from a memoir.

Review # 2 was written on 2016-01-08 00:00:00 Roger Williams I thoroughly enjoyed this memoir written by Ulysses S. Grant. He is so frank and honest. I have read many books on the subject of the Civil War and, admittedly enjoyed them. too. Ulysses offering is very precise and written in exquisite detail that is easy to read and understand. Many books are text heavy and I find my brain swimming in the details and have to read the same information ten times and still not get an understanding of what was going on. This offering afforded me a picture in my mind as I read the details of the battles and travelings of the Union Army. I look forward to reading Volume 2 next.