Ulysses S. Grant
i really admire this guy. he was a failure in life in everything except war. when grant was appoint general, he was quickly fired from his job. then he was again reappointed and lead the union armies to victory and sealed his name in history forever.

i admire his grizzled look: the round face, the beard, yet his complexion has a hint of sadness in it. ive read that he was quiet and never really knew many people in school; mostly kept to himself. i can identify with that. and it also helps me realize that it is possible to achieve greatness for anyone. he also loved horses. i always got the impression he liked horses more than people. i can definitely relate to that.

grant was an alcoholic and drank when nothing was going on during the war and when he was away from his wife. drinking when youre bored is something we all can relate to. and drinking when he was away from his wife is something else. he mustve really loved her.
while i was watching ken burn's civil war, it said that at a party or something, grant just leaned against a tree and smoked a cigar. he didnt look to be the center of attention or brag about his acheivements up until that point during the war.
a
nd he had a good friend who always stood by him and supported him, that being william t. sherman. kinda like his sidekick. grant never said he was the best, everyone else said it for him. which was george McClellan's "my nation has called upon me again" blunder
more importantly, grant believed what he was fighting for. he was most definaly against slavery.
his presidency was plagued with corruption, but the people still liked him, even after. that mean a lot to me because 1. he was a bad president, which makes him human, considering his acheivements during the war and 2. people still remembered all he had down for them
once again, his buisness partner robbed him blind and his family was left with nothing again. so he set out to write his memoirs.

when he had cancer, he aimed to finish the memoirs, instead of just relaxing and living out the last days of his life, in order to support his family. now he put his own needs aside whil dying and not be able to eat for his family. thats loyalty, deidcation and a whole lot of other good words
then he died a week and and half later.
so i really liked that guy from history. he means a lot to me

"Ulysses Grant, aged 26, married Julia Dent, aged 22, on August 22, 1848 at White Haven plantation. Neither of their fathers approved the match - hers because as a career soldier, Grant's prospects seemed bleak; his because the Dents were slaveholders. Grant's parents refused to attend the wedding, though they did come to accept Julia.

Their marriage, often tried by adversity, met every test; they gave each other a life-long loyalty. Like other army wives, "dearest Julia" accompanied her husband to military posts, to pass uneventful days at distant garrisons. Then she returned to his parents' home in 1852 when he was ordered West." -wiki

As First Lady (Julia Grant)it was suggested to her that she have an operation to correct her crossed eyes, but President Grant said that he liked her that way.

Larry Flynt, pioneer of freedoms we had in name only, and creator of Hustler magazine, is one of my most admired figures.

Also high up are literary genius Robert A Heinlein, the uncredited father of Science Fiction (damn Asimov for stealing his glory), and Chester W. Nimitz, fleet admiral of the US Pacific fleets during WW2.

Alfred Nobel and Albert Einstein. Reasons are obvious.

Joseph Smith(obvious)

I suppose Frederic Chopin, would be my second. He pretty much changed music forever and he's pretty much God of Music

At risk of being flamed, I'm gonna say Hitler. I'm in no way condoning what he did, but you've got to recognise how extraordinarily charismatic he was, and he did do some good things for Germany.

I'm also going to say Agrippa. I did some research on him for a school project, and I've reached the conclusion that he was the driving force behind Octavian. A highly skilled general, great negotiator (he managed to reconcile Octavian and Antony on more than one occasion - if that's not smooth talking I don't know what is) and, above all, content to play second fiddle to Octavian. He's a rare kind of man, Agrippa.

Finally, Winston Churchill. Take just about any quote of his to find out why.

I'd have to agree with Hitler. While I can't wrap my head around what he did, he was absolutely brilliant. He brainwashed children into believing that Germany should and will rule the world. That first of all is an astounding military tactic, everyone would give it their all, never back down. But also, it shows that he had an enormous amount of planning and patience for this to have worked.

Again, I in no way believe this was a good man, but a genius gone to waste.

Graustein:
At risk of being flamed, I'm gonna say Hitler.

I applaud you for being mature enough to recognize the things this man did, in spite of all the evil he did in the meantime.

@topic
Probably Sophocles. In a sense, he helped lay the basis for what theater was and is. Without him, the theater would be an incredibly different thing.

Whoever discovered fire, without that person we would be nothing.

Oscar Wilde.

Brilliant writer, great wit, and an unforgettably odd character. His works are less "book" and more "art" due to his aesthetic approach in writing, not to mention his piercing insight into the human mind-- especially the nobility.

Odd life, but great ability.

Hugh Hefner..*cough*
he's old...as in a person of history..right?

ive Always Admired George Carlin and his humor and view on the world

Khell_Sennet:
Also high up are literary genius Robert A Heinlein, the uncredited father of Science Fiction (damn Asimov for stealing his glory)...

Not that I don't like Heinlein, but the founder of sci-fi was Jules Verne.

My current favorite historical figure would have to be one of the Soviet space pioneers (Yuri Gagarin was the first man, and Valentina Tereshkova was the first woman).

...Or Stephen Colbert for raising awareness of the bear menace!

Frederich Nietzsche. One of the most coldly rational philosophers ever. And a whole host of Greeks like Plato, Socrates, Hero, Archimedes, Pythagoras.

Oh, and a good friend of mine who passed away two years ago.

Graustein:
At risk of being flamed, I'm gonna say Hitler. I'm in no way condoning what he did, but you've got to recognise how extraordinarily charismatic he was, and he did do some good things for Germany.

I'm also going to say Agrippa. I did some research on him for a school project, and I've reached the conclusion that he was the driving force behind Octavian. A highly skilled general, great negotiator (he managed to reconcile Octavian and Antony on more than one occasion - if that's not smooth talking I don't know what is) and, above all, content to play second fiddle to Octavian. He's a rare kind of man, Agrippa.

Finally, Winston Churchill. Take just about any quote of his to find out why.

damn i was gonna say agrippa for the same resons but ill say ceasar cus he pretty much did all the set up for octavian

hypothetical fact:
Whoever discovered fire, without that person we would be nothing.

lol the story of prometheus

Napoleon Bonaparte for the loyalty he inspired in the French people and for his comprehension of strategy and tactics. (And the spiffy hat.)

Adolph Hitler, for reasons already mentioned. (And spiffy uniform.)

J.Stalin for creating a plan with which even the worst nation in the world (S.Union) became and economic power house. (And nothing else.)r

And a very close person that died a while ago.

Bill Bailey and Shakespeare, the two greatest people ever to walk the Earth.

Also Bob Dylan.

The_root_of_all_evil:
Frederich Nietzsche. One of the most coldly rational philosophers ever.

Him too.

Combined:

Adolph Hitler, for reasons already mentioned. (And spiffy uniform.)

What reasons exactly?

Combined:

Adolph Hitler, for reasons already mentioned. (And spiffy uniform.)

I'd be careful here. Hitler was only a figurehead, and laced to the tits on laudnum and mercury. Germany's propaganda machine and combining diverse sciences were brilliant, but I don't think it was due to him.

Organisations are often far more than the power of their figurehead; look down the chain of command to often find the 'real' brains and the 'real' evil.

Most of Hitler's Grand Designs could have been dreamed up by an 8 year old, they had the power to make them a reality.

The_root_of_all_evil:

Combined:

Adolph Hitler, for reasons already mentioned. (And spiffy uniform.)

I'd be careful here. Hitler was only a figurehead, and laced to the tits on laudnum and mercury. Germany's propaganda machine and combining diverse sciences were brilliant, but I don't think it was due to him.

Organisations are often far more than the power of their figurehead; look down the chain of command to often find the 'real' brains and the 'real' evil.

Well, he certainly wasn't the worst amongst his cabinet. And he probably wasn't really in power after Stalingrad. But before that, I believe he was, more or less, not a figurehead, but a de facto leader.

And I believe Hitler made Germany economically strong, created an extremely loyal fallowing, was very charismatic and fought against the injustice of the Versailles treaty. Besides that he was basically an idiot with a terrible moustache.

Combined:

And I believe Hitler made Germany economically strong, created an extremely loyal fallowing, was very charismatic and fought against the injustice of the Versailles treaty. Besides that he was basically an idiot with a terrible moustache.

Whilst not wanting to start a flame, Economics came from the seized Jewish money, Loyalty came from desperation and the builders of Nuremberg, his charisma was built in a similar way to Ms. Spears, and the Versailles treaty would have crippled Germany.

And Godwin :).

I'm sorry, I don't see how you can admire a maniac dictator that has killed millions of people. I highly prefer Ghandi.

The_root_of_all_evil:

Combined:

yad

ripples

Economic strength came also from factories, war factories, other industrial output centers that were built, agriculture and farming. A lot of them built not using jewish money.

And the treaty of Versailles did. Hitler didn't listen to it and Germany got back up on its feet and became a very powerful nation indeed.

But hey, we believe what we want. We weren't there - so we can't say for sure.

Ghandi isn't much of a saint either, not nearly as bad as Hitler, but I just see him as another guy wanting his share of power.
ANYWAY.
Adolph Hitler, a fantastic politician and public speaker, he did do a couple of great things for the country of Germany and the *general* population of said country. Although, the posters before me were right, he wasn't alone in doing everything he did. He was a fuckin' idiot though, a horrible military strategist, and wasn't very good at international politics. Let's not forget he was a murderous madman, of course. I say Thank God (or w/e you prefer) that he was such an idiot, for he could have actually taken over the world, if he had played his cards right. Well, actually, he probably would have died somewhere in the middle of it, I heard he had a terminal sickness by the end of the war, but someone would have taken his place.

Hmm...a LOT of people have said Hitler, but I would have said that Otto Von Bismarck was the more influential in terms of the shaping of Prussia/Germany. Bismarck basically not only "united" Germany, he made Prussia a stronger nation, gaining territory and lessening the Austrian's power at the same time. Kaiser Wilhelm I was a weak king, and the power mainly rested in the parliament up until then, but through Bismarck's help Wilhelm was able to strengthen the country.

Hitler, on the other hand, was DEFINITELY blessed by timing. Due to the Treaty of Versailles, Germany had been essentially screwed and was in the middle of a huge depression during the 1930s. People were hungry for a change (as they are when a situation stagnates), and Hitler, as an amazing politician and public speaker, was able to gain power through this time. Admire Hitler for his charisma and ability to motivate a populace (to do horrible things, unfortunately), not necessarily for what he did for Germany. Bismarck, and Charlemagne (of course), did much more.

One last interesting thought: the Germans and the Japanese were countries both motivated to great lengths to fight for their country. One was motivated by a charismatic speaker, one was motivated by what they believed was a "divine being". Was "religion" enough to drive masses of Japanese to commit suicide (The Japanese kinda don't really have a set religion, so I have to quote it), or was it just their nature?

Napoleon was a brilliant tactician and leader, managing to seize all the power he wanted and hold onto it for quite a while. Alexander the great was also a brilliant leader, unable to be stopped by and man he might have conquered half the world if it wasn't for the pneumonia. William Blake is another historical figure I greatly admire who played a great part in the romanticism movement which has played a great part in making society as it is today

Miyamoto Musashi of course!
His teachings have changed my life and his amazing swordsmanship having not been defeated once is something to admire.

I'm gonna say Hitler as well since he seemed a dependable leader. Shame he's more remembered as a mass murderer. Also I respect Vincent Van Gogh.

Graustein:
At risk of being flamed, I'm gonna say Hitler. I'm in no way condoning what he did, but you've got to recognise how extraordinarily charismatic he was, and he did do some good things for Germany.

I agree with you,Hitler was a Patient man mosty for sitting in prison he managed to convice two officers with him to join the nazi party. He was an Amazing Speaker and highly Charismatic. Even Big Tabaco Copied there Saying "Hook em While there yough"

george144:
Napoleon was a brilliant tactician and leader, managing to seize all the power he wanted and hold onto it for quite a while. Alexander the great was also a brilliant leader, unable to be stopped by and man he might have conquered half the world if it wasn't for the MURDERING. William Blake is another historical figure I greatly admire who played a great part in the romanticism movement which has played a great part in making society as it is today

:D Conspiratist

Aardvark Soup:
I'm sorry, I don't see how you can admire a maniac dictator that has killed millions of people. I highly prefer Ghandi.

Ghandi is one of my favourite historical figures as well. He was a man of principle and you have to admire the success he achieved by sticking to those principles.

Horatio Nelson was a brilliant man as well. One of the greatest military figures in history, he managed to beat the French with one arm and one eye for Gods sake!

Niccollo Machiavelli would be my pick, he really understood humans and how to get things done!

Ronwue:
Alfred Nobel and Albert Einstein. Reasons are obvious.

Yes, where would we be without dynamite.

Erwin Rommel the Desert Fox. He fought with such chivalry in a time period to where Germany is so heavily scrutinized that he earned the respect of enemies. A family man fighting for his homeland, he was. A grand pity it is that Hitler had his best warrior killed.

I cannot seriously believe this.Hitler was the most evil bastard ever to walk the earth and you're speaking about him like he was a virtuous man.Sure he brought Germany back on to its feet but you can't ignore the fact he murdered 6'000'000 people because what they believed in.He used Agit Prop(agitation propaganda) to stop other people having their own say in their own country and then he dumped them in a prison.I'm sorry I got so wound up but I'm just so amazed about how everyone is talking about him.