Comments on: Happy Birthday, Ulysses

By: Lauren

Lauren — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 15:49:27 +0000

My husband and I were wondering why the Grant Memorial is in New York City.
Why not Ohio or even Washington d.c.?

By: Abi

Abi — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 20:00:04 +0000

This is unrelated, but I’d be really interested in seeing a post about the history of the bagel. I find it fascinating because it’s seen as such a Jewish food, but living in Israel I’ve noticed that it’s very difficult to get a good bagel around here. Only in Jerusalem, where there are a lot of Americans, can they make a good bagel. Can you tell me more?

By: Sid

Sid — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 19:46:00 +0000

Modern historians have concluded Grant’s reputation for drink was a bit exaggerated, and suspicions are that Henry Halleck, his immediate superior, was a bit jealous of the attention Grant gained during his successes in the Western theatre of the US Civil War. In any event, I’m pretty sure the record shows that as President, he could socially consume a small quantity of alcohol (e.g. wine at State dinners) without “falling off the wagon”.

Grant’s Memoirs are a masterfully written account of his time through the Civil War. A classic, they proved to be one of the highest-selling books of the 19th century and were only completed just before his death. Look up the story of the memoirs and Mark Twain’s involvement in publishing them — it’s a good story in its own right.

People today don’t realize how HUGE of a worldwide hero Grant was following the Civil War. He did a “world tour” in which he and wife Julia were greeted by huge crowds wherever they visited.

By: elizabutt

elizabutt — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 19:33:03 +0000

Yakko: Ulysses Simpson Grant
Who would scream and rave and rant

Wakko: While drinking whiskey
Although risky
Cause he’d spill it on his pants