I just finished reading Grant by Jean Edward Smith. It's about the Civil War Union general and his post-Civil War endeavors including as President. I love reading about the Civil War and especially about Grant. Two characteristics of his that stand out: recognizing the objective and persistence in pursuing it. He recognized that, unlike his predecessors who commanded the Army of the Potomac, the objective was the destruction of the Confederate armies and not the capture of cities. Despite high casualties and setbacks, he persisted in pursuing the Confederate armies and destroying them or rendering them ineffective. Unfortunately, as President these characteristics deserted him.