Ron Chernow's Grant I really knew very little of him, but hadn't heard much positive. Thus far (up to the end of the Civil War), Chernow paints a redeeming picture. He seemed a person perfectly suited for military action. I can see the problems in his presidency coming, however. Chernow is a talented writer of history. I am reading The Adventures of Tom Sawyer to my daughter atm. She can't stand it. I don't blame her much. We are about 60% through. Tom, Huck, and Joe just returned from camping on the island to their own funeral. I don't see the book entertaining her as much as educating her. It's a slice of time, America, and literature that is worth having some grasp of, however it pales to Mr. Wizard's World at bedtime (we switch every other night).