Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant

The memoir was published in 1885, shortly after Grant's death from throat cancer. He wrote it frantically in his final months to secure his family's finances after losing his money.

While it lightly touches on his early life and the Mexican-American War, the book primarily focuses on his service during the American Civil War. It details his strategies and his rapid rise to Commanding General of the Union Army.

Yes, despite being severely ill, Grant wrote the entire manuscript himself. He occasionally received editorial assistance from his friend, Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain), whose publishing house released the book.

The book was a massive commercial success and is considered a masterpiece of American literature and military history. It ultimately earned Grant's family around $450,000 in royalties.