Mark Twain and the Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant: Live from La Farine CCXIII: July 8, 2014
John L. Davidson sends us to Wikipedia: Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant - Wikipedia: "The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant is an autobiography...
...of Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States, focused mainly on his military career during the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War. Written as Grant was dying of cancer in 1885, the two-volume set was 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 Twain had devised; many were themselves 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). Each copy contained what looked like a handwritten note from Grant himself. In the end, Grant's widow Julia received about $450,000, suggesting a gross royalty before expenses of about 30%.
The Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant has been highly regarded by the general public, military historians and literary critics.[4] Grant was a shrewd, intelligent, and effective writer. 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...
And comments:
John L. Davidson: Another History Lesson for the Post: Mark Twain and the Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant: "My objection to the column is that it slanders...
...through ignorance, our second greatest Missourian, Mark Twain. And, it slanders Missouri for the inventor and perfector of the President memoir both hail from the ShowMe state. The aged writer... assert[ed] the memoir was a Truman invention of necessity.... But it was Mark Twain who invented the Presidential memoir, for the benefit of President Grant's widow....
If invented by Mark Twain, making money off being President is as American as apple pie...
