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birdinflight1's review against another edition
4.0
Fascinating account of the life of a president I formerly knew nothing about (except his middle initial). I appreciated all the excerpts from diaries and letters that the author used in telling the story. It made the time period and it’s people very real. Im all for learning history, but I could’ve done without the gag-inducing descriptions of 19th century medical practice!
It was interesting to compare and contrast the political machinations of the late 19th century to today and to realize that politics hasn’t changed that much in 150 years. For example, the birther argument was used against Chester A. Arthur by his opponents.
However, Garfield stood out as an honorable politician dedicated to thinking, reading, and learning, and he didn’t concern himself with the drama unfolding around him or even campaign for himself (it was considered undignified). I also was surprised to hear his staunchly anti-racist views—he was ahead of his time in terms of social justice. I felt moved by how the entire country rallied together around his injury and death.
This story interweaves the lives of three men, James A Garfield, his assassin, and Alexander Graham Bell. The stories of the other two men were as equally fascinating as Garfield’s.
It was interesting to compare and contrast the political machinations of the late 19th century to today and to realize that politics hasn’t changed that much in 150 years. For example, the birther argument was used against Chester A. Arthur by his opponents.
However, Garfield stood out as an honorable politician dedicated to thinking, reading, and learning, and he didn’t concern himself with the drama unfolding around him or even campaign for himself (it was considered undignified). I also was surprised to hear his staunchly anti-racist views—he was ahead of his time in terms of social justice. I felt moved by how the entire country rallied together around his injury and death.
This story interweaves the lives of three men, James A Garfield, his assassin, and Alexander Graham Bell. The stories of the other two men were as equally fascinating as Garfield’s.
bergamee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.75
kschuster's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
5.0
Who knew James Garfield was so badass? And that he was so linked to Alexander Graham Bell? If you love unknown history, science, and medical drama, don't hesitate to pick this one up!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical trauma
tiasreads's review against another edition
informative
medium-paced
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content and Medical trauma
summsummsummer's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
4.75
this is how I want to read history. so many books about history are dry and lack joy in reading. not only was the story being told interesting the writing was amazing. this book is a great tragedy from start to finish and it's amazing.
stephaniesteen73's review against another edition
4.0
A fascinating book about a man and a historical era that I know nothing about. Although non-fiction, it read like a novel. The only parts that bogged down for me were the descriptions of Alexander Graham Bell's contraption, just because I am not interested in detailed technology writing. What a preventable tragedy!