Archives: Ulysses S. Grant

Good advice for the General: Write like you talk

October 16, 2018 | By Jim Stovall | No Comments | Filed in: books, Civil War, history, journalism, writers, writing.

As a writing teacher of several decades, I never cared for the advice “write like you talk.” Most people don’t talk all that well. Besides, writing is a different process from talking. Talking is easy. Writing is hard. But “write like you talk” was the advice that Ulysses S. Grant got from Robert S. Johnson, • Read More »

Two failures who saved each other – and then saved a nation (part 1)

July 19, 2018 | By Jim Stovall | 1 Comment | Filed in: Civil War, Home, journalism.

Well into his adult life, Cump Sherman considered himself a failure. So did others. He had attended West Point and had accomplished some relative successes in his military career. But when he left the army, he proceeded to fail at everything he tried. His health — he suffered from asthma — and his mental stability were • Read More »

Writing and dying, in public view; The Devil’s Dictionary

October 23, 2017 | By Jim Stovall | No Comments | Filed in: newsletter.

This newsletter was sent to the people on Jim’s email list (3,988) on Friday, Oct. 20, 2017. Hi,  Fence rows, tractor lifts, chainsaws, and hayrolls — they’ve all been a big part of my life lately. The farm offers an endless variety of experiences and possibilities. Don’t forget the victims of Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria, and Nate. The wildfires in • Read More »

Ulysses Grant: Writing and dying – in public view

October 19, 2017 | By Jim Stovall | No Comments | Filed in: journalism.

His memoir was eagerly awaited by the public while he was still writing it. His death, for several months before it occurred, was tracked almost daily by the newspapers of the time. Both occurred at the same time in the spring and summer of 1885. For more than a century after his death, the presidency • Read More »