From his boyhood in Ohio to his graduation from West Point, and then through detailed accounts of his service in the Mexican-American War, the Civil War, and his presidency, Grant gives a full report of his life and career in this remarkable firsthand account. Completed in the last year of his life, 1885, as Grant battled throat cancer and poverty, the "Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant" was published by Mark Twain shortly after Grant's death. Instantly popular and praised by admirers, critics, and people throughout the country, this autobiography was both a critical and financial success. Grant was recognized both for the clarity and succinctness of his writing. The royalties of the work provided for his family, firmly reestablishing their financial security. A model of autobiography to this day, the "Personal Memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant" is a exceptional work of literature, reflecting a man's ultimate concern for the welfare of his country throughout his life. This edition collects both volumes of Grant's memoirs into a single edition printed on premium acid-free paper.