If you ever a have a chance to see Dr. Curtis Fields, Jr. give a presentation on US President Ulysses S. Grant, please go. He is an educator, a living historian and the preeminent portrayer of Grant in this country. His presentation will blow you away.

At least, that was the case for me when I had the pleasure of seeing him at the Ross Heritage Center in Chillicothe, Ohio on April 27. Incidentally, that was Grant’s 200th birthday so they even had birthday cake in his honor.

Dr. Fields spoke to a packed house for about 90 minutes without ever breaking character. His presentation on what he called “Grant’s Desperate Years,” between 1854 when Grant left the Army and the start of the Civil War, was fascinating.

His children were born during these years and he worked at everything he could to make something of himself and to give his family a good life. Unfortunately, if Grant didn’t have bad luck, he would have had no luck at all. None.

In fact, the first couple of stories about his failed business ventures were sort of humorous but it quickly turned sad. I had no idea he struggled so much before finally finding some success.

It’s one thing to listen to a history lecture. It’s a completely different experience when someone looks and sounds the part as they tell you their life story. My companion and I stood for the entire 90 minutes and I never once got bored or tired of standing. That’s high praise and I would do it again if given the chance!

Want to learn a little more about Dr. Fields? This is a short article that you might enjoy.