Ulysses’s Odyssey

Ulysses S. Grant’s World Tour at the Dawn of American Empire

De: Louis L. Picone

Narrado por: Joseph Pavia

In May 1877, Ulysses S. Grant, after 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!”

This triumph of research draws on Grant’s papers, scores of archival accounts and will captivate history buffs and adventure enthusiasts alike.

©2026 Savas Beatie LLC (P)2026 Savas Beatie LLC

The definitive work on an under-appreciated chapter in Grant’s life

This briskly-moving book recounts Grant’s trip around the world in remarkable detail. Besides giving us a glimpse of the world at the late 1800s, the book offers insight into the relationship between Grant and wife Julia, which makes clear their love for each other, while also illustrating their differences in personality which sometimes leads to some surprising bits of humor in the book. Like Picone’s other book, Grant’s Tomb, it provides deep insight into the decency and humanity of our under-valued 18th president.