What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedGrant
Series · 2020
If you loved Grant, start with The American Revolution (Geoffrey C. Ward and Ken Burns) — a book on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to Grant across media.
If you were captivated by Grant, you will appreciate these stories that humanize the complex political and military turning points.
Books on the same thread
The American Revolution
Geoffrey C. Ward and Ken Burns · Book
Shares a thread with Grant: military history.
Like Grant, this work examines the foundational struggles of American leadership, offering a deep dive into the nation-building efforts that defined the era before the Civil War.
Lincoln
David Herbert Donald · Book · 1995
Explores: Political leadership in crisis, Personal growth and character development, Rise from humble origins.
This biography mirrors the intimate character study found in Grant, focusing on the personal growth and leadership challenges of a president navigating a divided and war-torn nation.
Reconstruction
Eric Foner · Book · 2002
Explores: racial equality, political disenfranchisement, labor reform.
While Grant explores the Reconstruction Era through a personal lens, this text provides the essential historical context needed to understand the systemic social transformations of that complex period.
The Civil War: A Narrative
Shelby Foote · Book · 1986
Explores: The American Iliad, Strategic Military Analysis, Tragic Historical Dénouement.
If the military strategy in Grant kept you engaged, this narrative history offers a similarly comprehensive look at the tactical endgame and tragic conclusion of the American conflict.
Films on the same thread
Lincoln
Steven Spielberg · Film · 2012
Shares 3 threads with Grant: American Civil War, Political Intrigue, Reconstruction Era.
This film focuses on the same presidential leadership and moral courage seen in Grant, highlighting the intense political maneuvering required to steer the country through its darkest hour.
Glory
Edward Zwick · Film · 1989
Explores: racial prejudice, leadership, courage.
This film captures the same spirit of military leadership and sacrifice explored in Grant, showcasing the personal courage required to confront deep-seated prejudices within the Union army ranks.
Gone with the Wind
Victor Fleming · Film · 1939
Shares a thread with Grant: Reconstruction Era.
For those interested in the Reconstruction Era backdrop of Grant, this story illustrates the social and personal survival challenges faced by individuals during the aftermath of the war.
Little Women
Greta Gerwig · Film · 2019
Explores: Sisterhood, Female ambition, Artistic expression.
While Grant examines the high-level politics of the Civil War, this film shifts the lens to the domestic impact of the conflict on family bonds and personal ambition.
Podcasts on the same thread
Slow Burn
Slate Podcasts · Podcast · 2026
Shares a thread with Grant: Historical Documentary.
Just as Grant uses archival research to illuminate history, this series uncovers the hidden characters and events that shaped the nation, making the past feel immediate and relevant.
The Preamble
Sharon McMahon · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Critical thinking, Media literacy, Civic engagement.
If you valued the analytical approach to political intrigue in Grant, this podcast offers the same clarity and critical thinking regarding the stories driving our nation's complex future.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Grant a documentary series?
Yes, Grant is a documentary series that examines the life story of Ulysses S. Grant. It utilizes his personal perspective and experiences to explore the history of the Civil War and the Reconstruction era.
What time period does Grant cover?
Grant covers a turbulent time in American history, specifically focusing on the Civil War and the Reconstruction period. The series uses the life of the subject to provide a detailed look at these historical events.
Does Grant use a biographical approach?
Yes, Grant is structured as a biographical documentary series. It focuses on the life story of the subject, using his own experiences and perspective to frame the narrative of the historical events he lived through.
What is the primary focus of the series Grant?
The primary focus of Grant is the life story of the subject during the Civil War and Reconstruction. It examines how his individual experiences and personal perspective help explain the challenges and complexities of that specific era in history.