People Archives

Elon Musk’s Psychology: The Roots of His Troubled Nature

What’s Elon Musk’s psychological makeup? What clues do we have from his childhood that might explain his mental and emotional wiring? Elon Musk’s intense drive and sweeping accomplishments come at a personal cost, a fact that he freely owns up to. The psychological challenges that Musk struggles with don’t determine every aspect of his personality, but they strongly color how other people view him. Read more to understand Elon Musk’s psychology, according to biographer Walter Isaacson.

Elon Musk’s Early Life: From South Africa to North America

What kind of abuse did Elon Musk experience in his childhood? How did he first make money? Why did he move to North America? The insightful yet combative nature that would come to define Elon Musk later in life had its roots in his upbringing. His childhood was shaped by early trauma, compounded by the difficulties caused by his neurodivergence. Read more to learn about Elon Musk’s early life, from South Africa to North America.

Elon Musk as a Leader: Mission-Focused Intensity

What’s it like to work for Elon Musk? How does he bring his personality into his businesses? Renowned biographer Walter Isaacson shadowed Elon Musk for two years. He found that Musk’s leadership mindset is entirely mission-focused with an emphasis on challenging workers rather than nurturing them in any way. Keep reading to learn about Elon Musk as a leader.

Ron Chernow’s Grant: Book Overview of the 18th US President

What’s Ron Chernow’s book Grant about? Why is Ulysses S. Grant’s life as president of the United States and general during the Civil War so fascinating? In Grant, Ron Chernow assesses Grant’s role in the Civil War, his accomplishments as president, and his struggles with alcohol use. His aim is to restore Grant’s reputation, which was demolished due to corruption and scandals. Read below for a brief Grant book overview.

How the Sons of Temperance Impacted Ulysses S. Grant

Who were the Sons of Temperance? How did the Sons of Temperance help Ulysses S. Grant with his alcohol problem? Ulysses S. Grant dealt with unhealthy alcohol use throughout his life. He eventually joined the Sons of Temperance, a national brotherhood that took a vow of sobriety. Check out how joining the Sons of Temperance affected Grant.

Ulysses S. Grant: General of the Union in the Civil War

What did Ulysses S. Grant accomplish in the military? How did General Ulysses S. Grant lead the Union to victory? In Grant, Ron Chernow writes that Grant’s military career spans from the Mexican American-War of the late 1840s to the pinnacle of the Civil War. He focuses on Grant’s military tenure in the Civil War specifically, discussing how Southern secession spurred his return to the service and how he protected ex-slaves. Learn more about the career of Ulysses S. Grant, general during the Civil War.

Ulysses S. Grant in the Civil War: A Strategic Leader

What was it like to follow Ulysses S. Grant in the Civil War? What kind of leader was Grant? In 1862, Grant was promoted to Major General of Volunteers, making him the second-highest general in the Western Theater. Contrary to Grant’s critics, author Ron Chernow argues that Grant was a cunning strategist and leader in the Civil War, both on and off the battlefield. We’ll focus on two key examples of Grant’s leadership in the Civil War: the Vicksburg campaign and his post-victory treatment of Confederates.

Ulysses S. Grant on Slavery: Was He Opposed to It?

What was Ulysses S. Grant’s stance on slavery? Was he in full support of abolitionism? Ulysses S. Grant was the General of the Union Armies during the Civil War, fighting to preserve the United States as a constitutional union. Despite having a personal opposition to slavery, Grant wasn’t fully committed to the idea of abolitionism. Read more about Ulysses S. Grant on slavery below.

Ulysses S. Grant: Civil Rights Activist Post-Civil War

Was Ulysses S. Grant a civil rights activist? How did Grant help Black citizens during his presidency? For Ulysses S. Grant, civil rights was an important issue that needed to be protected after the Civil War. In his book Grant, Ron Chernow argues that Grant’s work as president was essential for safeguarding Black citizens’ civil rights and helping them transition out of slavery. Below we’ll focus on three key instances of Grant encouraging civil rights.

What Did Ulysses S. Grant Do as President of the US?

What did Ulysses S. Grant do as president of the United States? Was he considered a good president? In 1868, as the Republican nominee, Grant defeated incumbent Andrew Johnson to become the 18th President. In Grant, Ron Chernow analyzes Grant’s legacy of Reconstruction—the era lasting from the Civil War’s end until 1877—which saw him attempt to defend civil rights for Black Americans while reconciling with the South. Let’s take a look at what Ulysses S. Grant accomplished (or failed to accomplish) as president.