Ulysses S. Grant Out West

by Craig and Franklin MacDonald


MacDonald's new book is filled with facts about President Grant that is new and exciting for anyone interested in early California history and life of a soldier out West during California's Gold Rush days. The deals about the early life of Ulysses S. Grant and his adventures out in California and the West.

Much of the material found in the book is unknown to most, for instance, Grant did not want to join the army and he later resigned to become a farmer.

Another fact that came from material his late father, Franklin MacDonald had researched was that Grant's father used his political might to get his son into West Point.

Like Lincoln, Grant did not sport a beard for most of his early military life.

After graduating from West Point, Grant served in the Mexican-American War before his regiment was ordered to Benecia, California in 1852.

In MacDonald's new book, Ulysses S. Grant Out West, he captures Grant's early life and debunks several stories that people today associate with Grant.

The first one Grant was not an alcoholic and a second unknown fact is that Ulysses S. Grant's real name was Hiram Ulysses Grant and the "S" in his name, like the "S" in Harry Truman's name stood for nothing.

MacDonald is a Pulitzer Prize nominee, born in Northern California, a member of Phi Alpha Theta, the national history society, a resident of Huntington Beach is the father of local newspaper columnist Chris MacDonald, and has written over 24 books about the lives of people and events of the old West.

Many of the original illustrations in the book are by his friend Bill Anderson whose art gallery is located in Sunset Beach.

Get your copy at Anderson Gallery next to Captain Jack's Restaurant in Sunset Beach on Friday and Saturday from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, 1 p.m. to 6 p.m.


 

  Huntington Beach News