Destiny of the Republic
Candice Millard
2011
260 pages
Published by Doubleday
********************
I suck at American history, which is totally shameful, since I have a history degree (I admit it, I think European history is much sexier. I mean, good grief, have you seen how those Puritans had to dress?).
So no one was more surprised than me when I decided to read this book. I mean, seriously…James Garfield? Wasn’t he in that gang of eminently forgettable presidents that begins with Hayes and ends with McKinley (and yes, I had to go look at a list of American presidents to be able to write that sentence)?
But man oh man…I double dog dare you to read this book and not fall in love with the man. He was a reader! And a nice guy! He had a library! But he was assassinated by some dude (his name was Charles Guiteau and he also shows up in Sarah Vowell’s book Assassination Vacation) that was all whacked out* on religion (boo! hiss!)! And his doctor should be sued post-mortemly for malpractice! And the whole country (seriously people! Everyone! (well, except for Guiteau)) was rooting for him to pull through! And Alexander Graham Bell was feverishly working on a metal detector to find the bullet that was still in his body! Drama! Suspense!
Despite the unhappy ending (oh please…don’t get upset that I ruined the story…everyone knows he dies in the end), this is history at its best (well, except for the unhappy ending AND the pus pockets that seemed to appear in the story every single time I sat down to read it during lunch. It was seriously gross and a good argument for not reading on one’s lunch break). It’s entertaining and well-written and maybe if Candice Millard was around when I was in college I wouldn’t have tossed over American history for those sexy Europeans.
*There is an unintentionally hilarious excerpt from one of Guiteau’s letters to Chester Arthur (aka the guy who became president when Garfield died), in which Guiteau basically says “You should bow down and kiss my feet because I am the man who made you president! You should worship me, godammit, and make me Ambassador to France, because I totally deserve it, and you would be NOTHING without me. You will regret it if I am not rewarded! But, I understand that you’re prolly a little busy right now, so dude, just get back to me when you have a sec, okay?”
And yeah, I’m totally paraphrasing, because I’m too lazy to go get the book and find the actual passage, but trust me…that was pretty close to the real thing, and it really does illustrate how not rational Guiteau was.
Anyhoosie…great non-fiction (unless you’re looking for a critical analysis of Garfield’s presidency, in which case, you should go look elsewhere, because I’m pretty sure Millard fell in love with Garfield, too).
Wow! I totally need to read this. Thanks for the review! I love reading about presidents.
Heidi’sbooks´s last [type] ..While We’re Far Apart
I know nothing about Garfield, and love nonfiction that is not dry, so this one sounds incredible to me. I need to read this one. Thanks for the fresh and funny review! I always love it that you are reading books that nobody else has covered!
zibilee´s last [type] ..Mozart’s Last Aria by Matt Rees — 336 pgs
Wow, this one actually sounds very good! Great review.
Stephanie´s last [type] ..Book Review: Hooked
I love Am. History but don’t know anything about Garfield either…I’m adding this one to my list! You made it sound riveting!
Patti Smith´s last [type] ..Mississippi Madness
Oh yes I remember the wacked out shooter guy from Vowell’s entertaining Assasination Vacation. OMG that was funny. See, not all crazies are living in the here and now in Florida! But seriously, I almost didn’t open this post because of that cover. It looks awful, as in maybe it could be the most boring thing on earth. You may have changed my mind though. Nice work!
Sandy´s last [type] ..The Night Strangers – Chris Bohjalian
This does sound awesome now that you tell it. I go mad for the word ‘madness’ in a title, too. I admit, I fell in love with one of the officers in The Killer Angels.
Care´s last [type] ..Tuesday Topical █ November 8, 2011
I know absolutely nothing about Garfield, but you sure have made him sound like my kind of guy! lol
bermudaonion (Kathy)´s last [type] ..Review: The Scrapbook of Frankie Pratt
I love this review! I’ve had this on my shelf for a while and can’t wait to read it, especially after reading about Giteau in Vowell’s book (which I also loved). Plus, gotta love a historian who falls for her subject – makes for more interesting reading than cold analysis of facts.
Kerry´s last [type] ..Audiobook Review: The Privileges by Jonathan Dee
Yep, I heard her speak. She totally fell in love with Garfield.
rhapsodyinbooks´s last [type] ..Review of “The Orchard” by Theresa Weir
I am history stupid, even about the sexy parts. You should be very proud. This book sounds delightful, except for the death and the pus pockets. I could particularly do without the latter.
It’s great when a topic turns out to be unexpectedly awesome.
Trisha´s last [type] ..Top Ten Tuesday: Not My Cup of Tea
This has been on my list for a while. I love this kind of biography — some of my very favorite reading.
Beth F´s last [type] ..Wordless Wednesday 155
I’ve seen this book at work and wondered about it. Good to know it’s great… Thanks for the heads up!
Melissa (Book Nut)´s last [type] ..Chime
I have to admit that I was starting to become a Garfield fan after listening to Assassination Vacation … even if Gaiteau was bat-shit crazy but in a kind of amusing way if you’re not the one being shot by him.
Jenners´s last [type] ..Review: The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist
OK – so I AM an American history buff and had already added this to my TBR list. But after reading your review I want to read it even more. I also will make sure I don’t read it while eating
suziqoregon´s last [type] ..Aunt Dimity Beats the Devil by Nancy Ayherton
This baby has been on my kindle, but keeps getting bumped to make room for others. I swear, your review makes me want to read it now.
And totally off subject, but the only reason that I even know that we had a president named Chester Arthur was that we share the same bday. Now that is shameful. Not sure who should be more ashamed though, Arthur or me?
I totally fell for Garfield too. He had so much POTENTIAL! HE COULDA BEEN A CONTENDER!
(Also, you know, we had Puritans too you know. I challenge you to a duel based on the awesomeness of American history.)
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