Affecting...As the story shifts between Grants arduous final days penning his memoirs and scenes from his life as war hero and president, a portrait emerges of realization, regret, and newfound humility. Christian Science Monitor, a Best Book of the Month Pick Clinchs compelling study conveys the complicated legacy of Grant, who had no pretense for pageantry, deeply loved his wife and children, and treated everyone with decent human kindness. A remarkable novel, utterly gripping. Library Journal (starred review) Epic in perspective and feelingsublime proseSuperb historical fiction. Booklist (starred review) Every once in a while I read a book that is so utterly fascinating that I cant stop talking about it. Jon Clinchs The General and Julia is that book. We meet Ulysses S. Grant as weve never seen him beforenot just an American hero, but a loving husband, and a somewhat reluctant celebrity caught up in the razzamatazz of Gilded Age America. A love story, a compelling piece of American history, a page-turner, with a star-studded cast of charactersnot since All the Light We Cannot See have I read such a perfect example of what historical fiction should be. I predict that every book club will soon be reading this book. Elizabeth Letts, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author of A Perfect Horse and The Ride of Her Life A graceful, moving narrativeaffectingan empathetic portrait of a towering figure. Kirkus (starred review) A sweeping, monumental portrait of Ulysses S. GrantPaired with Clinchs elegant, assured prose, the result is dazzlingly good, evocatively crafted and emotionally resonant. Perfect for lovers of American history and historical fiction fans alike. Bookreporter In a deft dialogue between the past and present, Jon Clinch presents General Grant as a humble man of deep integrity, who in the depth of grave illness revisits his many sacrifices, financial struggles, perceived failures and perilous triumphs as he writes his memoirs in a quest to save his family from financial ruin before he dies. My God, Jon Clinch can write. This story is luminous and palpable, and made me fall in love with the mastery of Jon Clinch, the writer, but also with Grant, just as a grateful nation once did. This is the best book Ive read in an age. Robin Oliveira, author of My Name is Mary Sutter, the bestselling novel and winner of the Michael Shaara Award for excellence in Civil War Fiction
