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The “Grant” History Channel miniseries, on the life of General and President Ulysses S. Grant, was a 3 part miniseries that was aired during the 2020 Memorial Day Weekend (May 25th – May 27th) on the History Channel. It was superb!
I was anxiously awaiting the “Grant” miniseries to make its debut as far back as February I recall. In between episodes of “Forged in Fire” I would see previews of this mysterious show about Ulysses S. Grant with dark, almost gritty action-packed snippets. The way these commercials were crafted, I honestly thought “Grant” was going to be an actual miniseries movie.
However, what was touted as a miniseries movie actually turned out to be a 3-part documentary. I was a bit taken aback at first, I have to admit. The “Grant” History Channel miniseries was not even a docudrama, it was a straight up documentary. It was so compelling however, that it only took me about 3 minutes to get over that fact. I was hooked!
“GRANT” HISTORY CHANNEL MINISERIES REVIEW
The History Channel’s “Grant” miniseries is about the life of Ulysses S. Grant from cradle to grave. It is a summation of his background, early years, rise to power in the Union Army, increasing successes as a Union General, the military mind that won the Civil War, ascension to the oval office as the 18th President of the United States, and his denouement later in life.
One of the underlying goals driving this miniseries was to reestablish U. S. Grant as one of our national heroes along with Lincoln and Washington. The legacy of Ulysses S. Grant deserves to be recrafted and recast in a historically appropriate light for all future generations. The History Channel’s website states as much:
ULYSSES S. GRANT AND HISTORIAN RON CHERNOW
Each part of the “Grant” History Channel miniseries focuses on a particular aspect of U. S. Grant’s life. Each episode is full of enriching commentary by scholars and historians such as the preeminent Ron Chernow, one of my all-time favourite authors, I’ve read all of his books! I’ve even written a cool post with a short synopsis of all of Ron Chernow’s books.
I’m such a Ron Chernow fan that if they did not include him as a part of this 3-part miniseries I don’t think I would have taken it seriously enough to have watched it! Much of the show’s information came from Ron Chernow’s 2017 publication “Grant” which is a 1,000 page biography of his life and contributions to history.
“Grant” by Ron Chernow [Book Review]
“GRANT” MINISERIES PART 1 SYNOPSIS
Grant’s roots and beginnings as a man finding himself, his early marital life, his early adventures in war, as well as his first victories on the battlefield. Storylines include:
- Birth in Ohio on April 27th, 1822
- Growing up in Ohio with his father
- Dissolution with the family tanning business
- Getting sent off to West Point by his father against his will
- Grant’s name getting changed to Ulysses “S” Grant, when in fact his middle initial was “H”
- Going to school with future generals that he would both command and meet in battle, including William Tecumseh Sherman
- The future general’s role as quartermaster
- Meeting and courting of Julia Dent, his future wife
- Participation in the Mexican-American War
- Assigned to Fort Humboldt, where he apparently takes to drink
- Grant’s return to service and the taking for Fort Henry and Fort Donelson in Tennessee
- The battle of Shiloh, its casualties and Grant’s role
“GRANT” MINISERIES PART 2 SYNOPSIS
Grant’s rise through the Union army from Vicksburg to his first encounter with legend Robert E. Lee, his rise to Lieutenant General and promotion by Abraham Lincoln, his first military engagements in Virginia. All of his Civil War ups and downs are chronicled in this episode up until Cold Harbor. Storylines include:
- After his victory at Shiloh, Grant gets relegated, to his dismay
- Grant focuses on Vicksburg, Mississippi
- Spending considerable time and energy fortifying his position
- Taking the huge risk of sneaking down river to reposition his troops
- How Grant decided to take Jackson, Mississippi in order to lay siege to Vicksburg
- His courageous role and rising star who gets noticed by Abraham Lincoln
- No time to rest, Grant is off to fight General Robert E. Lee in the eastern theater in Virginia
- The battle of the Wilderness in Spotsylvania County, northern Virginia
“GRANT” MINISERIES PART 3 SYNOPSIS
Grant’s culmination of the Civil War, his negotiation at Appomattox, his post-war years as gentleman and national hero who got pulled back into government service as the 18th President of the United States (serving 2 terms). This part also covers his later years in life which were filled with scandal yet ending in ultimate success. Storylines include:
- How the Battle of the Wilderness leads Grant’s men south to take Richmond
- Grant’s strategy at not taking Richmond directly
- The Battle of Cold Harbor and its outcome on his reputation
- How General Grant strategically orchestrates the entire war operation
- The assigning of William T. Sherman’s march south
- The siege of Robert E. Lee’s men and the gentlemanly accord
- The battle at Jetersville, Virginia
- General Lee’s surrender at Appomattox
- The Lincoln assasination
- Ulysses S. Grant gets nominated for President of the United States
- He is elected as the 18th President under difficult times
- Grant serves 2 terms as president (1869-1877)
- The post-presidency years touring the world as a celebrity
- “Grant” the hero and living legend
- The monetary scandal that ensnared his son and left the Grant family in ruin
- The presence of Mark Twain and the writing of Grant’s autobiography
- How “The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant” became a success and its importance
“GRANT” HISTORY CHANNEL MINISERIES PRODUCTION FACTS
A few interesting tidbits of note. The “Grant” History Channel miniseries was produced by Leonardo DiCaprio, who, of course, is a world-renowned actor. DiCaprio also has over 40 productions to his credit.
Ulysses S. Grant was portrayed by actor Justin Salinger who pulled off the role masterfully, I have to say. To me, Salinger’s non-verbals are what sold Grant’s personality as both reticent and steadfast in all of the situations he faced. His acting made for a very compelling series.
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