Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant Volume One: 1

Man proposes and God disposes. There are but few important events in the affairs of men brought about by their own choice. Although frequently urged by friends to write my memoirs I had determined never to do so nor to write anything for publication. In preparing these volumes for the public I have entered upon the task with the sincere desire to avoid doing injustice to anyone whether on the National or Confederate side other than the unavoidable injustice of not making mention often where special mention is due.Wikipedia: The two-volume set was published by Mark Twain shortly after Grants death. Twain created a unique marketing system designed to reach millions of veterans with a patriotic appeal just as Grants death was being mourned. Ten thousand agents canvassed the North following a script Twain had devised; many were themselves veterans who dressed in their old uniforms. They sold 350000 two-volume sets at prices from $3.50 to $12 (depending on the binding). Each copy contained what looked like a handwritten note from Grant himself. In the end Grants widow Julia received about $450000 suggesting a gross royalty before expenses of about 30%.