A review by skitch41
Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President by Candice Millard

informative reflective sad fast-paced

4.0

A wonderful history of James Garfield, 20th President of the United States, his tragic assassination, and the unbelievable medical malpractice that really killed him. Indeed, the chapters about Garfield’s medical care are the most fascinating parts of the book. The chapters about Garfield’s life are the next best part as Ms. Millard describes an incredibly qualified, yet humble, person for the country’s highest office. Indeed, Garfield’s qualifications, positions on race and the civil service, and his brief tenure in office make his presidency one of the great “What if?” questions of American history. The prose style leaves a little to be desired, but the plotting and pacing of the book kept me coming back.
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