What is the author's perspective in the biography, Grant?

Chernow is a well-known historian and biographer and his perspective is based on this background. He extensively uses primary sources, a common practice is historical writing. Simultaneously, Chernow writes with the goal of improving Grant’s reputation, most notably as it relates to civil rights, corruption, and alcoholism. While all non-fiction books make some argument, Chernow’s is particularly pronounced throughout the texts. It is best encapsulated by various statements in the Introduction. The author claims that Grant has been “dismissed as a philistine, a boor, a drunk, and an incompetent and subjected to pernicious stereotypes” (xx). In contrast, Chernow argues that Grant was “sensitive, complex, and misunderstood” with the “notable achievement” of ensuring civil rights for blacks (xx-xxi). The author goes on to decry history’s obsessive focus on Grant’s drinking and presents a “thoroughgoing account...to settle the matter” (xxiii). It is telling that Chernow delivers such strong statements in the Introduction. Rather than waiting until all the evidence is presented to the reader and drawing a conclusion, he colors the readers impressions from the beginning of the actual depiction of Grant’s life. This is only reinforced by insertions of commentary throughout the text. Chernow points the reader in a definite direction, rather than allowing one to draw their own conclusions.