Ideas, Opinions, Genealogy, and Book Reviews
Like many Americans, we are making our daily journey to the TV to watch the Ken Burns documentary on the Roosevelts. So far I have found it very enjoyable. But last night’s third installment reminded me of an excellent book I read a couple years ago.
The book is The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey by Candice Millard. After former President Theodore Roosevelt lost Continue reading “Rio Roosevelt Revisited”
Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President
By Candice Millard
I had read a book about President Cleveland and in a discussion of medical care, the shoddy medical care of President Garfield which resulted in his death was mentioned. By chance I ran across a favorable review of Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard and figured I would like to learn more about this. So I requested the book for my local library and waited. (If you are looking for a new book it is much quicker to just buy it.)
Other than a brief mention of President Garfield in high school history and the book mentioned above, I knew little about this President. Millard’s book was wonderful way to fill in that gap. Millard tell the fascinating story of his rise from abject poverty to the presidency, his assassination by a mad man, and the medical care that killed him.
This is not a complete biography of James Garfield. His life before his brief presidency is well told. It is clear that he was an extraordinary man and his assassination only a few months after inauguration was a great loss to the country. The assassin Charles Guiteau is vividly portrayed as he gets closer to the President. As in River of Doubt , you know how this story is going to end but Millard adds considerable suspense while telling this story.
Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President by Candice Millard is a fascinating account of that era and the sadly short presidency of James Garfield.
I enjoyed The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey by Candice Millard. It thought it might be interesting as I enjoy reading about little known historical events but this book was much more.
The trip started out as a sort of photo-op adventure tour in the wilds of South America to occupy and satisfy former President Theodore Roosevelt after he lost his attempt as a third party candidate to oust President Taft in 1912. For those unfamiliar with the election: Wilson (the Democratic nominee) won; Roosevelt came in second; and Taft (the Republican nominee ) came in third.
Before starting this adventure tour, Roosevelt journeyed to South America and was convinced to make this a real journey of exploration. In partnership with a Brazilian officer, Roosevelt led a small group of men on this hazardous expedition. This small group included Theodore Roosevelt’s son Kermit. Both Theodore and Kermit Roosevelt were ill during the journey and risked their lives as they shared the hardships and work with the rest of the group. In fact, the former President came very close to death.
It amazed me that although I knew both Roosevelts would survive the trip, there was a very real sense of suspense during the river journey. I believe this is due to Candice Millard’s superb writing skills.
My backstory here is that I found this book accidentally. I had just finished a book about President Cleveland and in a discussion of medical care, the shoddy medical care of President Garfield which resulted in his death was mentioned. I saw an excellent review of a recent book by Candice Millard on James Garfield and while I was requesting that one from the library noticed she had published The River of Doubt a few years back. I requested both books but the older one came in first so I read it and was very pleased with it. So now I am looking forward to reading Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President when I get my copy from the library.