Four United States Presidents have been assassinated in our history with Lincoln being the first in 1865. John Garfield was our 20th President and the second to be assassinated (in 1881). That pretty much sums up everything I knew about Garfield until I read Candice Millard’s exceptional new book, Destiny of the Republic.

Destiny of the Republic begins with a brief history of Garfield and the political era he was a part of. What I found so amazing was that he never intended to run for high political office. He was a charismatic speaker and an intelligent man who was nominated as the Republican nominee without his consent.

Millard also writes about Charles Guiteau, the seriously delusional man who felt it was his fate to serve the President (as consul to France) and when rebuffed, then kill him. Even knowing the outcome, Millard manages to develop incredible tension as Guiteau repeatedly visits the White House and stalks Garfield on the President’s walks.

The other lesson learned was how far medicine has come. After being shot, Garfield lingered for three months while his doctors -- not believing Lister’s thesis of antisepsis -- fumbled his care from beginning to end.

Candice Millard is also the author of River of Doubt, another favorite book of mine. Like River of Doubt, Millard’s research and expert storytelling manages to entertain while also educating. A great book! ~Patti