Destiny of the Republic

A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President

By: Candice Millard

Narrated by: Paul Michael

James A. Garfield may have been the most extraordinary man ever elected president. Born into abject poverty, he rose to become a wunderkind scholar, a Civil War hero, and a renowned and admired reformist congressman. Nominated for president against his will, he engaged in a fierce battle with the corrupt political establishment. But four months after his inauguration, a deranged office seeker tracked Garfield down and shot him in the back.

But the shot didn’t kill Garfield. The drama of what hap­pened subsequently is a powerful story of a nation in tur­moil. The unhinged assassin’s half-delivered strike shattered the fragile national mood of a country so recently fractured by civil war, and left the wounded president as the object of a bitter behind-the-scenes struggle for power—over his administration, over the nation’s future, and, hauntingly, over his medical care. A team of physicians administered shockingly archaic treatments, to disastrous effect. As his con­dition worsened, Garfield received help: Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, worked around the clock to invent a new device capable of finding the bullet.

Meticulously researched, epic in scope, and pulsating with an intimate human focus and high-velocity narrative drive, The Destiny of the Republic will stand alongside The Devil in the White City and The Professor and the Madman as a classic of narrative history.

From the Hardcover edition.

©2011 Candice Millard (P)2011 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"[Millard demonstrates] the power of expert storytelling to wonderfully animate even the simplest facts....make[s] for compulsive reading. Superb American history." ( Kirkus)

"Splendidly insightful....stands securely at the crossroads of popular and professional history" ( Booklist)

“Sparklingly alive…[Millard] brings to life a moment in the nation’s history when access to the president was easy, politics bitter, and medical knowledge slight. Under Millard’s pen, it’s hard to imagine its being better told.” ( Publishers Weekly)

Marvelous, Magnificent, Millard

I love to be blown away by a book!! I love that rare ocassion when you randomly pick up a book and hope it will at least hold your interest just until something else comes along, to listen half-heartedly, then--be drawn in thoroughly, completely--to the point where you forget everything around you and become so engrossed in the story that the house could be burning down around you and you wouldn't notice till your toes got hot!

In the case of Destiny of the Republic, it isn't the history of 20th president James Garfield alone that catapults this book into the category of toe-toasting "amazing"...it is the meticulous research and straightforward writing of former National Geographic writer and editor, Candice Millard--a truly great historian/author (and we could probably add detective). A book about Garfield would never have been tops on my Wish List, but I'd read Millard's first book, River of Doubt, (about Theodore Roosevelt's trip on the Amazon) and found it fascinating. Based on that read, I figured I had a winner. Now I have to say, Destiny of the Republic is even better, and I have a new picture of Garfield and wonder what might have been.

The book establishes the dignified character of Garfield, the high esteem the people had for him, his erudition, and his humanity. It goes into detail about the schizo plottings of the crazed assassin, Guiteau (and some fascinating history of the "insanity plea"). But, it focuses largely on the 79 day period while Garfield, Guiteau's led bullet lodged somewhere deep in his back, suffered at the hands of the woefully arrogant Dr. D. Willard Bliss, and the dedicated Alexander Graham Bell's fervent race against time to perfect his "induction balance machine" in hopes of locating the bullet and saving Garfield from Dr. Bliss, and therefore, Garfield's life. The details of the dreadful and ridiculously archaic treatments Garfield suffered through at the hands of the ignorant Bliss, and the account of the autopsy, are painful to read about and shed light on the great progress medicine has made. At his trial for the murder of Garfield, Guiteau nonchalantly admitted to shooting Garfield, but insisted that he did not kill Garfield, rather it was "malpractice killed Garfield."

A slower first half, but you'll be rewarded with a mesmerizing tale, some fascinating medical history and facts, all wonderfully narrated by Paul Michael. *If Candice Millard wrote the history books for school--the students would never miss a day. Fantastic read I highly recommend to history buffs and non-history buffs alike.

fascinating

I found this book to be quite fascinating-- a murdered president and the lunatic who shot him, Alexander Graham Bell and Lister and the beginning of germ theory. The book was so clearly written and narrated that it made listening a pleasure.

Excelent

I love history but sometimes Audio is slow. This was excellent. Looked forward to my commute each day to keep unfolding this story. Great listen.

Every bit as good as "Killing Lincoln"

A must 'read' if you want to know the whole story of James A Garfield and the entire story surrounding his election, presidency, murder and the many people involved with his life and death. Many little know and interesting facts told in a manner that is quite interesting. If you have any interest in Presidents or an era don't pass this one up.

Historical Accidents

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

If you love "ah-ha" moments or "wow! I never knew that was why" then you will love this book. I found myself so deeply enthralled in this book. It was the ideal companion to my long bike rides. I couldn't wait to share the neat anecdotes that I learned through listening to this story. President Garfield is a man we need to remember.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The Greatest President We Forgot

Amazing work of non-fiction

Where does Destiny of the Republic rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It is among the best audiobooks I have listened too. I can not recommend this audiobook highly enough.

What did you like best about this story?

The entire story is simply engrossing in part because it is not one which most people are more than vaguely aware off.

What about Paul Michael’s performance did you like?

His entire performance is excellent.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Learning about how James Garfield rose from the depths of poverty and obscurity to the White House.

Any additional comments?

This is one of the best audiobooks I have listened too. I would recommend it to anyone, even those who might not ordinarily be interested in Presidential history.

Garfield and 19th century medicine

Excellent story about a person and subject I knew little about. It is tragic that this happened to this good man.

Interesting

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes to friends interested in history

What was one of the most memorable moments of Destiny of the Republic?

The advances in medicine I take for granted.

Which character – as performed by Paul Michael – was your favorite?

Garfield

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I felt sympathy for the suffering Garfield endured.

Already Re-Listening

Would you consider the audio edition of Destiny of the Republic to be better than the print version?

For my first audio edition adventure I would have to say I am rather impressed. Reading a book of this type would prove nearly impossible.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Destiny of the Republic?

The events that took place immediately after the shooting.

Which character – as performed by Paul Michael – was your favorite?

President Garfield followed by Alexander Bell

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

This book has me feeling amazed about all the suffering that has lead us up to this point.

Any additional comments?

This book was very exciting! Great story telling!

Enlightening

Where does Destiny of the Republic rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Top 5

What other book might you compare Destiny of the Republic to and why?

Team of Rivals

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Yes, although I found the chages in voice pitch a little irritating.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

no

Any additional comments?

no