"A CLASSIC CIVIL WAR AUTOBIOGRAPHY"

GRANT, Ulysses S. Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant. New York: Charles L. Webster, 1885-86. Two volumes. Thick octavo, original green cloth, gilt cover medallions front and rear, patterned endpapers. $1750.

First edition of the memoirs of one of the most recognized figures in American military history, illustrated with numerous steel engravings, facsimiles, and 43 maps.

After an ineffectual term as president, ruined by bankruptcy and dying of throat cancer, Grant agreed to publish his memoirs to provide a measure of economic security for his family. Mark Twain agreed to serve as the publisher. Struggling to dictate his notes to a stenographer, Grant finished his memoirs shortly before his death in the summer of 1885. "It seemed to Twain, sitting quietly near him in his bedroom at Sixtieth Street, that Grant had fully regained the stature of a hero" (Kaplan, 273). "No Union list of personal narratives could possibly begin without the story of the victorious general. A truly remarkable work" (New York Times). "Grant's memoirs comprise one of the most valuable writings by a military commander in history" (Eicher 492). Dornbusch II:1986. Mullins & Reed 35. Owner embossed blindstamp to front free endpapers.

Interiors quite clean; front inner hinge of Volume I expertly reinforced; original cloth fresh, with only light rubs to extremities and a few minor spots, gilt bright. A lovely set.