Destiny of the Republic: A tale of madness, medicine and the murder of a President – Candice Millard

One of my most exciting reads ever; It had everything, manic depression, “digging a finger into a President’s back,” Alexander Graham Bell and much more. What spellbound-ed me most was the record keeping through writings that brought this time period and episode to life. Side note – the written art is dying…

James A. Garfield was nominated while attending the republican convention He wasn’t running for President but the delegates declared him best fit for the job. He vehemently denied the nomination but when he realized his fate was inevitable, he took on the task and became President. He was a scholar, war hero and a congressman so his election was with merit especially in the time of Reconstruction which was formatting the country’s direction. He was a Union soldier, strongly against slavery. Oppression of any kind as he himself was raised in poverty.

4 months into his first term, he was shot in the back by a psychotic assailant. This is where history gets interesting as it wasn’t the bullet, he lingered on for months after the attempt, but his doctor’s care that did him in. Ensued a power struggle for who was to run the country and even who was to take care of the dying President. What took place was amazing as you can recall the country at this time period was still wounded from the Civil War and really didn’t know it’s direction with all these newly freed citizens.

When you look back at history and see how one act can change its course this is one that would leave you thinking what if James A. Garfield had never been assassinated?

Highly recommended.

Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President
Candice Millard