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)

Well-Crafted. Informative.

Very informative. Well-crafted. Even somewhat enjoyable. I liked getting to know President Garfield and his family. History is pretty straightforward and a little dry, but the narration successfully added a degree of intensity. I can't say that I truly enjoyed it... However, I am satisfied that I learned about many historical figures by listening.

Great story

This was a great story about someone I knew little about. Engagingly written and wonderfully performed on the audible version. I found myself looking for more opportunities to listen. And now I'm an admirer of James A. Garfield.

Full of suspense, drama and American history

This is an excellent book for anyone who would like to know more about this little-known President, James Garfield. History aficionados and those who love the suspense of a dramatic novel will enjoy this book. The book reveals much about Garfield's private life, including his marriage, infidelity, parenthood and his aversion to seeking The White House. Haunting parallels are revealed between the assassination of President Lincoln and Garfield. Some scenes are filled with sorrow and suffering; others describe the gruesome details of Garfield's wounds, and others reveal the patriotic fervor that enveloped the national after Garfield was shot in 1881.

another great book!

Candice Millard is an incredible author and this book was a great display of that. as well a fantastic performance.

Loss of a Great Man

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

insightful - interesting - gripping

What did you like best about this story?

I learned way more about President Garfield and 19th century medical practices than I did in school. Truly a great loss to the country.

What about Paul Michael’s performance did you like?

He handled the seriousness of the topic with grace.

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

I have no opinion

Any additional comments?

It's so obvious to us now how backward their medical care was. The arrogance of doctors hasn't changed much, though.

Really interesting story

Good book and really interesting story but could be half the length and still get the same points across.

Excellent for lovers of history/politics/medicine

I loved this book and it's many angles. I learned so much about so many people in this book, mostly centered on Garfield. What a man - who seemed to know his life was over with his election...but the destiny of the thing really played out. Excellent book. Will listen again.

Marvellous and frustrating

I have never thought much about President Garfield. A co-worker of my wife recommended this book, so I took the opportunity to read it. Wow, what an impressive man, he was smart, ambitious, hard working, and really wanted the best for the nation. It is just heartbreaking to see what evil can destroy. This is an amazing story and difficult to read to the end knowing that President Garfield likely would have lived except for his physician's arrogance.

spellbinding and exquisitely narrated

Millard has done an incredible service in telling us this story of Garfield, Bell, and others. I confess to having known nothing of Garfield or these events. I couldn't stop listening, except maybe while eating, during some of the medical parts. Additionally, the narrator Paul Michael was masterful and professional in creating just enough voice and not too much. He was well chosen.

Wow!

Knew nothing about Garfield. Now wonder how America might have been different if he'd survived. Sad how it took the death of a president to change the practice of medicine in the US.

Gripping story from beginning to end. enjoyed it immensely!