Destiny of the Republic: A tale of Madness, Medicine and Murder of a President by Candice Millard

Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President by Candice Millard
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Although he only served a short time I’ve found the story of James Garfield and his tragic ending a fascinating story. I first came along the story of his assassination thru “Assassination Vacation” by Sarah Vowell which led me later to a more in depth biography in “Garfield” by Allan Peskin. This book focuses though primarily on his assassination and the events and people involved.

The largest part of the book seems to focus on the archaic medical care that played a large part in his eventual death after being shot. Garfield had been shot on July 2, 1881 but didn’t die until September 19, 1882 from massive infections. The concept of germs was still new although it was widely accepted in Europe was still not accepted in the American medical profession. It didn’t help that he was under the care of an egomaniac, Dr. Willard Bliss, who micromanaged the President’s care that wouldn’t allow for any dissenting or differing opinions. Dr. Bliss and others probed the President with unsterilized fingers and other instruments that only worsened infection. Even when famed inventor, Alexander Graham Bell, tried to locate the bullet with a device he tirelessly worked to create told that Bell he could only look where Bliss thought the bullet was. Later when the autopsy it was done the bullet was nowhere near where Dr. Bliss thought it was.

Meanwhile the assassin Charles Guiteau was sitting a jail cell wondering when General Sherman was going to come rescue him and thank him as he too was a Republican “stalwart”. Obviously that didn’t happen. Charles had been seeking a government job because he felt deserved one because he wrote a speech stumping for Garfield the year before. Those were still the days of the “spoils” system where with each new President was usually barraged with those seeking jobs. Guiteau took his quest to the level of harassment and stalking. After months of this he finally decides to kill the President after he had a dream he believed to be from God. He decided that “If the President was out of the way everything would go better.”

The bulk of the book towards the end tells of the care, if you could call it that, he received in the hands of his doctor who either out of egotistical pressure or ignorance of proper care perhaps contributed to eventual death of the President. Even though the knowledge of dangerous microbes and the practice of sterilization were accepted by the medical community in Europe it had yet to gain much acceptance in the United States.

I was a little disappointed that Charles Guiteau’s afterward seemed to receive lighter coverage by the author in comparison. It would seem the Candice Millard didn’t want to focus too much on the assassin too much. The account of trial she does include makes it sound like a circus rival any in the modern day. Even though Guiteau tried to plead insanity he was still found guilty and hanged nearly a year to the day of him shooting the President.

I do recommend this if you’re looking more about President James Garfield, his assassination and why he didn’t die until months after his shooting. It does give fair amount biographical information about the President but the main focus obviously is about the assassination itself.

Other suggested titles:
Garfield: A Biography by Allan Peskin (1978)
Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell (2005)


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Before the Storm: Barry Goldwater and the Unmaking of the American Consensus by Rick Perlstein

Before the Storm: Barry Goldwater and the Unmaking of the American Consensus by Rick Perlstein
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Given the state of today's current volatile partisan politics this book is still relevant and does shed some light onto the beginnings of it. The book looks at the beginnings of Barry Goldwater and what led up to his unprecedented popularity and then to his eventual landslide defeat in 1964 to President Johnson.

My recent reading obsession has been the 1960's. I was born in the middle of the decade but have not recollection of it. It perhaps growing up in the shadow of this tumultuous time in our country(and the world to) that has peaked my curiosity. The more I learn of this decade the more I realize it's impact it had on our society. I'm often curious as to attitudes and the way we looked at our government before and after this era. Obviously I only have the benefit of seeing what happened afterward which may not be perceptible as I don't have anything to compare it to.

Back to the book. Before this book I didn't really have an in depth knowledge of Senator Barry Goldwater. I did get the sense he was an icon in the conservative politics. I had heard of his defeat and his famous book "Conscience of a Conservative"but not much more.

I got the sense he was popular because he had a no nonsense approach and spoke his mind with out sugar coating his ideas or speech. These days we call it not being politically correct. He tended to say what people wished to express but were afraid to. I could help but draw parallels to supporters of our current President whom often quote a similar quality. He was a pilot and often projected a tough cowboy-like image. He was loved by many but scorned by establishment Republicans of the time.

The book paints his as sort of a reluctant Presidential candidate. He would often ignore prepared remarks or speeches and go off on tangents that would give those trying to help him fits. He wasn't much interested in being a polished candidate and it would seem he'd rather lose than do compromise his beliefs. He was also reluctant to disavow extremists in his party who supported him. It was probably this stubbornness that lead to his defeat but ironically enamored him to the conservative cause.

Although the book focuses on Goldwater the author also fills us in on what is going on in society at the time. Delves into events like the turmoil in Berkeley, the Kennedy assassination, the beginnings of trouble in Vietnam and the growing conservative movement that would continue long after his inevitable defeat.

It was hard not to draw comparisons to today's political climate. It's certainly an interesting book if you're looking into the roots of today's politics and conservatives in general. This is also first of a trilogy by the author the next s called "Nixonland" which I have listened too and also recommend.

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The Last Days of August by Jon Ronson

The Last Days of August by Jon Ronson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the behind the scenes events of the untimely death of porn star August Ames who committed suicide after a social media pile on by others after refusing to work with a male performer who had only done work with other males so she was perceived as homophobic.

Ronson then goes on a journey uncovering the stories of August's personal life and those connected with her. Some moments, even up to end, it seemed difficult to gleam exactly what the author was looking for. To add to it this style of audio-book was more or less a series on interviews with those involved between the author's narration and thoughts of his own. This made it seem like more like a podcast than a book.

The series of interviews and events opens a window into the world of porn. To some degree it confirms the perception of this industry that many of the performers and those behind the scenes are imperfect and many times have a lot of emotional baggage they bring a long.

Even at the end it was hard to define exactly what this it at story was about. It wasn't a true story nor one exclusively about social media bullying, though that did occur it wasn't the only factor. The best I could summarize was that it was tragic story of a trouble young woman, who worked in an career field that seemed ill equipped to help her because many of those around her were also fighting their own battles.

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Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance

Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis by J.D. Vance
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After seeing this book mentioned all over the place in regards to this year's election I had to see what all the excitement was about. Although it doesn't necessarily answer why poor white working class are attracted to the Republicans and the Donald Trump phenomenon this may give some clues as to what their experiences are and why they are angry.

Even though Vance is from hillbilly country in Kentucky and Ohio but it could be almost anywhere in our country. Some parts of it even reminded me of my own up bringing in Massachusetts as a child of a working class mother who was divorced with three kids. We also were helped by grandparents and are very thankful for them.

The authors story is also one of overcoming hardships and battles he fought along the way. One theme that comes out of this book is how others who support us along the way can influence us and give us a step up. Vance got it from his grandparents, the Marines, his sister and others who helped him overcome his situation. It reminds me of the Hillary Clinton book "It takes a village" in part that our success is built with the support of others.

Vance does credit his success with the help of others but even he doesn't have a single catch all answer for the majority of others in a similar situation to overcome poverty, addiction, joblessness and just plain poor decisions. No one government program, education initiative or jobs program will solve all the problem's which some of the blame also lies within their own attitudes. Though though the author does say that doesn't mean we shouldn't help "put a thumb on the scale" to help those in need. That one time may just mean the difference in someone's life.

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On the road by Jack Karouac (Audio version)

On the Road by Jack Kerouac
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

As I was listening to this I couldn't help feel two things(most of the time). 1. Will Patton was made to narrate this story. His flow and ability to capture the different characters was incredible. I can't think of anyone else that could have done this story justice. 2. I couldn't wait to to be done with it. I was counting the minutes until it was over despite Will Patton's amazing narration. The story(or lack of) just seemed to drone on and on and on and on. Occasionally some bits were meaningful and and worth the effort but they were rare and far between. It's like how many times can these two penniless(most of the time)wanderers cross the country getting drunk, high or laid where ever they go? Seems like a Max Tucker book(see "I hope they serve beer in hell".). At least Max's books makes no pretense of being a literary legend.

What depth did these two characters show? Sal just seemed to drift from here and there and be an apologist for Dean's behavior. In between stealing cars, getting high, drunk, driving at a 110mph he was getting women pregnant, marrying, divorcing and then leaving for the opposite coast at the spur of the moment. Responsibility was not in Dean's character and was easy drag Sal along for the ride. Dean was a class A douchebag who was only lived in moment.

I can see how this influenced many buddy driving type of stories like, Two Lane Blacktop, Vanishing Point, Blues Brothers, Thelma and Louise, Smokey and the Bandit and so on.

I kept waiting for the story to have a point but I either missed it due Dean's crazy driving or maybe it really didn't have an overt meaning. Just the spirit of adventure and experiencing life. I can think of a lot better mentors than these two though.

I'd recommend "The zen and art of Motorcycle maintenance" by Robert M. Pirsig over(far, far over) this one as far as on the road driving books.



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