PERSONAL MEMOIRS OF U. S. GRANT

New York: Charles L. Webster and Co., 1885, 1886. 2 volumes. First edition of both volumes in publisher’s deluxe bindings. With 49 maps and illustrations, including two steel-engraved frontis-portraits and two etched views, all with tissue-guards. Also with fold out printed copy of manuscript and the dedication from Grant in holograph reproduction. Tall, thick 8vo, publisher’s very scarce deluxe bindings of original three-quarter morocco over boards, gilt lettered and finely decorated with gilt emblematic decorations including a General's stars in compartments of the spines separated by raised bands, each of the covers featuring large gilt medallions, endpapers and all edges marbled. 584; 647, index. An especially fine, bright and very pleasing set in the scarce publisher’s deluxe binding state. An unusually well preserved set, the text exceptionally clean and fresh, the bindings in excellent condition. The text-blocks appear near as pristine, the bindings very well preserved indeed, the books essentially as mint as can be expected, tight, and strong and without evidence of use. RARE FIRST EDITION IN A VERY PLEASING STATE OF PRESERVATION. VERY RARE IN THIS FORMAT, CONDITION AND DELUXE BINDING STATE. ‘THE FINEST MEMOIRS OF WAR EVER PENNED’. An important historical memoir of the Civil War, arguably the most important, and the best thing that Grant ever wrote. General Norman Schwartzkopf has recently called this the finest memoir of war experiences that has ever been penned. Collectible copies of these books are becoming increasingly difficult to obtain. Copies in this binding, especially so.
The earliest days of the Civil War were a hard lesson in hubris for the Union Army. After the appointment of Grant to overall command of the Union forces, the war would quickly turn to their favor.
Probably the most important book on the American Civil War, and in many respects a masterpiece of American literature. David Eicher"s useful summary includes this fine judgment: "Grant’s MEMOIRS comprise one of the most valuable writings by a military commander in history . . . The work is genuinely that of the commander. As such, it is valuable in its scope, its plain and clear analysis and language, and its broad conclusions about the conduct of the war.
"In the years following the war Grant would move into the political arena, even against his best judgment and would, with great public acclaim be elected President of United States for two full terms.