Grant or Mahan?

Question

Which was a better military strategist? I'm serious, so only educated answers, please.

FYI, I did mean Alfred Thayer Mahan, the famed naval strategist; thanks for noticing that. And I agree, Grant didn't come up with any great military literature, but he did formulate much of the winning strategy of the Civil War, along with Sherman. Plus, there were serious deficiencies in Mahan's thinking, tied as it was to British naval history and Jominian concepts which were becoming outmoded by the 1890s. Mahan too easily dismissed newer technologies, such as submarine warfare, which revolutionized 20th Century warfare--something I only became aware of from reading Russell Weigley's book on the history of military strategy.

Answer 1

I would have to say Grant. Mahan was excellent at grand strategy, meaning that he formulated the best national policies with regard to naval supremacy. However, Grant was a strategist at the military level, being able to lead armies in two different kinds of campaigns in the Civil War. Mahan was not quite the commander that Grant was.

It's sort of like asking who was a better general, George Marshall or Douglas McArthur? Marshall was better at global strategy, but I would prefer McArthur in command of a specific theatre.

Hope that helps.