Destiny Of The Republic: A Tale Of Madness, Medicine And The Murder Of A President (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
While most people know that President Garfield was assassinated, I never knew the story behind it.Garfield was a boy who grew up in poverty, lost his father at an early age, and his mother and brother worked their farm to give him an education. He became a state senator, a general in the Civil War and was known as a terrific orator. In the Republican Convention of 1880, there were two competing groups: The Stalwarts and the Half Breeds. Garfield was closest to the Half Breeds, and was there to nominate John Sherman for President. After dozens and dozens of votes, the Republicans nominated Garfield unexpectedly, and against his wishes. He was saddled with a VP from the Stalwarts, Chester Arthur who became a spy for the opposition. After winning the Presidency, Garfield and his family took up residence in the rat infested White House. Meanwhile, a deranged and delusional office seeker named Charles Guiteau decides to kill Garfield.He shoots him in a railway station, but the wound is not fatal. It is the horrific care that Garfield gets from a quack doctor named Bliss who refuses to incorporate some of the latest ideas in medicine, like Lister's findings on keeping wounds sterile. Over and over again, Bliss inserts probes and dirty fingers into Garfield, eventually causing septicemia. Alexander Graham Bell meanwhile tries to perfect the first x-ray machine to see if he can find the bullet in Garfield.Terrific story! I've not enjoyed and been fascinated by a historical non-fiction book to this extent since "The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks." I knew nothing of the very interesting James A. Garfield who's presidency was cut short by an assassin's bullet. What an promising presidency he might have had! The story weaves together the lives of Garfield, the delusional Charles Guiteau who would become the assassin, Alexander Graham Bell who worked on an invention to try to save the president's life, and Dr. Bliss--Garfield's proud and attention-seeking doctor. Captivatingly written!
What do You think about Destiny Of The Republic: A Tale Of Madness, Medicine And The Murder Of A President (2011)?
Amazing! Brilliant book about a little studied part of American history.
—Lotte
James Garfield, the 20th US president, was an extraordinary man.
—jjj
Fascinating story of an event not well known.
—becky
May be the best history book I've ever read.
—Vanejarmu
