What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedGrant
Ron Chernow · Book · 2017
If you loved Grant, start with The Roosevelts: An Intimate History (Ken Burns, 2014) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 films, 4 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to Grant across media.
If you loved Grant, you will appreciate how these stories transform monumental historical figures into deeply human, complex characters.
Films on the same thread
Glory
Edward Zwick · Film · 1989
Explores: racial prejudice, leadership, courage.
Just as Grant explores the burden of military command, this film captures the raw intensity of leadership under pressure while navigating the deep racial prejudices of the Civil War.
The Greatest Showman
Michael Gracey · Film · 2017
Explores: Underdog Story, Self-Discovery, Acceptance.
Like the relentless ambition found in Grant, this story follows a singular figure building an empire from nothing, showcasing the grit required to reshape an American legacy.
Gone with the Wind
Victor Fleming · Film · 1939
Explores: Survival, Reconstruction Era, Lost Cause.
While Grant provides a factual account of the Reconstruction era, this epic offers a dramatic, character-driven perspective on the personal survival and adaptation during that same turbulent period.
The General
Clyde Bruckman · Film · 1926
Explores: Heroism, Resourcefulness, Perseverance.
Grant highlights the resourcefulness required during the Civil War, and this film echoes that spirit through an underdog protagonist who displays immense perseverance in the face of conflict.
Series on the same thread
The Civil War
Series · 1990
Shares a thread with Grant: Military History.
If the historical scope of Grant captivated you, this documentary provides the essential, comprehensive context of the Civil War and the era of Reconstruction that defined the nation.
The Roosevelts: An Intimate History
Ken Burns · Series · 2014
Explores: American Presidency, Family Dynasty, Social Reform.
Much like Grant examines the life of a pivotal president, this series offers an intimate look at the family dynasty that shaped American political life in the twentieth century.
Chernobyl
Craig Mazin · Series · 2019
Explores: Nuclear Disaster, Government Cover-Up, Sacrifice.
Grant details the difficult decisions made during times of crisis, a theme mirrored here as individuals face catastrophic consequences and show immense courage under extreme, life-altering pressure.
The Great
Tony McNamara · Series · 2020
Explores: Political Intrigue, Gender Politics, Royal Court.
While Grant is a grounded biography, this series shares the same fascination with political intrigue and the maneuvering required for a powerful figure to secure their historical legacy.
Podcasts on the same thread
The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe
The Way I Heard It with Mike Rowe · Podcast · 2026
Explores: untold historical anecdotes, curiosity-driven learning, American cultural history.
The curiosity-driven storytelling in this podcast mirrors the deep dive into obscure historical anecdotes that makes the biography of Grant such a compelling and enlightening narrative experience.
Dan Carlin's Hardcore History
Dan Carlin · Podcast · 2026
Explores: civilizational collapse, human nature, moral ambiguity.
Grant analyzes the moral ambiguity of power, a theme Dan Carlin explores with similar intensity, providing long-form historical analysis that challenges your perspective on legendary figures and events.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Grant by Ron Chernow a well-regarded biography?
Yes, Grant is a number one New York Times bestseller and was named one of the 10 best books of 2017 by the New York Times Book Review. It is a sweeping and dramatic portrait of Ulysses S. Grant written by Pulitzer Prize winner Ron Chernow.
What kind of reading experience is Grant?
Grant is described as eminently readable while remaining thick with import. Ta-Nehisi Coates noted in The Atlantic that the book provides a significant amount of knowledge, comparing its impact to a Mack truck of information regarding the life and career of its subject.
Who is the author of the 2017 book Grant?
The book Grant was written by Ron Chernow. Chernow is a Pulitzer Prize winner who authored this comprehensive biography to provide a dramatic and sweeping account of one of the most compelling figures in American history.
Was Grant recognized for its quality upon its release?
Yes, Grant received significant critical acclaim upon its 2017 release. Beyond its status as a number one New York Times bestseller, it was selected as one of the 10 best books of the year by the New York Times Book Review and praised by notable critics.