Destiny of the Republic

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

By: Candice Millard

Narrated by: Paul Michael

Length: 9 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

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)

Wow: A Divided Nation Revisited

Four famous men’s lives intersect in this historical account which occurred during a time when our nation was as divided as it is today. At the end of the Civil War, the tragedy of Garfield ‘s death reunited a nation; one must wonder if history will be repeated.

The narrator is wonderful and perfect for this book.

I will be sharing this title with friends.

Fascinating and very entertaining

This took such an interesting angle on the events surrounding President Garfield's assassination and death. I wasn't sure where she was taking me at the beginning, but it was a fascinating trip.

This is one of my favorite performances by a narrator. I am often irritated by "character" voices, particularly in non-fiction works, but he really enhanced my enjoyment of the book quite a bit

Incredible history

This was both a riveting read and audible. I did not know anything about James Garfield and appreciate the author's presentation of him.

One of the best books on History I have ever read

This is a terrific book that weaves several events and characters into a "perfect storm". Stories of Garfield, Alexander Graham Bell and many others kept me listening like it was a suspense novel. Highly recommended.

Educational, kinda gross and extremely engrossing.

Paul did a great job of narrating. Distinct voices for characters, fluid musicality, and clear diction.

The story was one I had not heard, of President Garfield, the man who shot him, or the men who tried to save him. I would recommend this to anyone, including people who don't like historical stories. It is not dense and very engaging.

The "Who Knew?" of Garfield's Presidency

If you could sum up Destiny of the Republic in three words, what would they be?

Informative, Historical, Captivating

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

It was sort of anti-climatic, but the agony that the convention went through to finally nominate Garfield.

Which scene was your favorite?

The throngs of people lining the street as Garfield was carried from being wounded to the Whitehouse.

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

I was amazed at how much politics has not changed in over 100 years.
The self-importance of the attending doctor causing the ultimate demise of Garfield's condition was disturbing.

Any additional comments?

The parallel between today's political squabbling and those of Garfield's time were uncanny.
Candace Millard writes historical facts with such mastery of description and knowledge.

Ignorance is "Bliss"

While billed as an account of the assassination of President James Garfield and his assassin, I found that the tale of Dr. Willard Bliss to be the most compelling part of the story. Dr. Bliss' total control and role in the care of President Garfield, which appears to have been more fatal to the President than the assassin's bullet.

Equally of interest is how unguarded and protected our Presidents were, both from physical harm, as well as what has become a the "bubble" of advisors and counselors who maintain a potentially dangerous control over the President.

A commendable book, which offers much for both history buffs and presidential observers, but particularly compelling insights into how scientific and medical innovations often struggle to gain acceptance.

Different!

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

I don't know, I haven't read the book only listened to it.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

It is history not change can be made to it.

What aspect of Paul Michael’s performance would you have changed?

Excellent reader, kept me it.

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

The timing of life

good book

this was a good book. I didn't know anything about James Garfield and was pleasantly surprised

Fantastic

The only bad thing about this book is that it had to end. Just fantastic!