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)

Enjoyable

What a book and audio narration should be. The historical detail was well researched and capture perfectly. I really enjoyed this book. A must read/listen.

Interesting From Start To Finish

Start this book and you are caught up at once..Loved that!!! Then it keeps you enthralled.

Brilliant, Fascinating and Insightful!

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

A superbly witten and researched book and a flawless performance!

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

Garfield barely survived a strange and possibly portentous accident as a young man. Was his survival an accident or, as he interpreted it, a sign of the need for him to devote his life to a higher purpose?

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

Could not pick one - all were distinctive and interesting.

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

I was extremely fascinated!

Any additional comments?

Brilliant book; superb reading!

James Garfield Man and President

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

Among the best

Who was your favorite character and why?

James Garfield; a man of character and politician.

What about Paul Michael’s performance did you like?

He seems fully involved in the subject.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

If time allowed.

Any additional comments?

Excellent, well researched book. Fine reading performance. Overall optimal.

Great listen

This was an incredible book. So much shared. I learned a great deal. Reader did an excellent job!

Interesting read

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

Provoking thought, exciting

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

Have not found one yet

What does Paul Michael bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

For me it is easier to follow a story if I can hear it, his voice helps me follow what is happening.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I like most history. This book talks about one of our presidents and his thought process while in the white house.

Any additional comments?

A very good read.

It doesn't get any better than this!

Excellence in every category that makes an audio book enjoyable: story, accuracy of historical details, writing style and narrative performance, all deserve the highest praise! A captivating audio book experience!

great history

this book contains excellent detail and the story is told in a very interesting way. I highly recommend it.

An excellent read for me. takes back in times.

A excellent rendition of a tragic tale of our young nation. very informative and interesting

Awesome!!

I love learning about Presidents, but I never learned a thing about President Garfield. I absolutely love the story, now I want to learn more!