Ulysses S. Grant, The Unlikely Hero by Michael Korda is a story about the life of Ulysses S. Grant. Grant became one of the first presidents to be elected without barely giving a speech. One lesson that can be learned from his life is that one shouldn't give into substance abuse. Grant’s habit of smoking eventually ended his life through throat cancer. Grant joined the military as a soldier but he very quickly advanced to a four-star general status, a position exclusive to Presidents Grant and Washington until this time. Grant became the first general to defeat Robert E. Lee. Grant had quite a driven personality! He would never consider retreating from a battle. He used his knowledge of maps and topography to defeat some of the best generals