In May 1877, Ulysses S. Grant, newly departed from two terms in the White House, embarked on an extraordinary three-year journey that defined a pivotal moment in the Gilded Age. Driven by a lifelong passion for travel and unburdened by a fixed itinerary, Grant set out to explore the world, his wanderlust sustained by modest means. Louis L. Picone's Ulysses's Odyssey: Ulysses S. Grant's World Tour at the Dawn of American Empire masterfully chronicles this unprecedented adventure, illuminating its historical significance and Grant's enduring legacy.
Grant's odyssey spanned continents, from Europe's capitals to uncharted terrain for an American president, including Egypt, the Holy Land, the Ottoman Empire, Russia, India, Siam, Saigon, China, and Japan where he was welcomed by throngs and honored by monarchs, kings, queens, emperors, and heads of state. Grant immersed himself in local cultures: He scaled Mount Vesuvius, sailed the Nile, rode elephants in India, and strolled the streets of Sicily, where he was cautioned about the mafia. Throughout, his curiosity and humility shone, revealing the man behind the myth.
In September 1879, thousands greeted Grant's return at San Francisco heralding him as a national hero. His journey continued across the United States via the Transcontinental Railroad, culminating in Philadelphia's grandest reception, where his global voyage was celebrated with unparalleled fervor. His travels were not yet over. Weeks later he ventured south to Cuba, Mexico, and the Southern states, where former Confederates and the formerly enslaved alike cheered his presence. Returning to Illinois just before the 1880 Republican convention, Grant entered the presidential race for a third time, his global perspective newly sharpened. Contemporaries marveled, declaring, "Nothing like this has ever been seen before in history!"
Ulysses's Odyssey is a triumph of research, drawing upon Grant's extensive papers, accounts of fellow travelers, letters, diaries, historic newspapers, and myriad other sources. Picone reveals Grant's personality, core decency, and sense of humor, and explores the trip's significance at the time before it faded from public memory. With sweeping prose, Ulysses's Odyssey captivates history buffs and adventure enthusiasts alike, offering fresh insights into Grant's legacy and the dawn of American empire. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in American presidents, the Gilded Age, or foreign policy and restores a pivotal chapter to its rightful place in history.
