Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant
08/1885 AD published
The two-volume set is published by Mark Twain shortly after Grant's death.
Twain created a unique marketing system designed to reach millions of veterans with a patriotic appeal just as Grant's death was being mourned. Ten thousand agents canvassed the North, following a script that Twain had devised; many were veterans who dressed in their old uniforms.
They sold 350,000 two-volume sets at prices from $3.50 to $12, depending on the binding (roughly $110 to $360 in 2021). Each copy contained what looked like a handwritten note from Grant himself. In the end, Grant's widow, Julia, received about $450,000 ($13,571,670 in 2021), suggesting a gross royalty before expenses of about 30%.
The Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant has been highly regarded by the general public, military historians, and literary critics. Positive attention is often directed toward Grant's prose, which has been praised as shrewd, intelligent, and effective. He portrayed himself in the persona of the honorable Western hero, whose strength lies in his honesty and straightforwardness. He candidly depicts his battles against both the external Confederates and his internal Army foes.
Lattitude: 40.7128° N
Longitude: 74.006° W
Region: North America
Modern Day United States
Subjects Who or What published?
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Mark Twain (Samuel Langhorne Clemens) Nineteenth century Ameri...
Objects To Whom or What was published?
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Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant Autobiography by Ulysses...
Events in 1885 MORE
