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This book mainly covers the assasination attempt on President Garfield and the 80 days following that until he died from an infection caused by doctors trying to "treat" the bullet wound. There was a bit on Garfield's early life but not a lot. I would like to go back and read a more in depth biography of him after I finish reading a biography for every U.S. president. I thought the information about the shooter and about the care, or lack of it, Garfield recieved after the shooting was interesti
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A well-told story that would make an excellent companion piece to Sarah Vowell's Assassination Vacation - Millard does an excellent job showing what the nation lost as a result of Guiteau's bullets. Garfield's death was an unnecessary tragedy in many ways, but the loss had profound (and perhaps even positive) effects on the nation's politics and scientific understanding. A great read for fans of presidential history, true crime, the history of medicine/science, and politics.
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This historical account of James Garfield was fascinating. I like history and this book brought together several key players of the late 19th century which included Alexander Graham Bell and Joseph Lister. I enjoyed reading about Mentor, Ohio, Hiram College and the Oneida Community - places that I'm familiar with. Garfield was a highly educated, honorable family man who never sought the presidency yet did much to unite the North and the South by his unfortunate death at the hands of a delusional
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Jun 27, 2018
Tanya
rated it
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I found several aspects of the overlapping individuals in this story as interesting as the main story of James Garfield’s political career and illness due to efforts to assist him after he was shot. I especially found the intertwining history of Alexander Graham Bell and Abraham Lincoln’s son to be quite fascinating. I am overwhelmed with how gracious a man Garfield was and he impact he had on a divided nation post-assassination of Lincoln and the end of slavery.
James Garfield was a great man of high character. A few highlights of his life that I really liked
- He read some of his favorite books to his children. This helped them see his love for reading.
- He studied harder than his peers to gain success in school and life in general.
- He was very kind to people, even in the end as he was suffering.
- He read some of his favorite books to his children. This helped them see his love for reading.
- He studied harder than his peers to gain success in school and life in general.
- He was very kind to people, even in the end as he was suffering.
An excellent book about a president that heretofore I had known little or nothing about... and he deserves some credit for his service to the country.
Jan 06, 2012
Davida "Davi"
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