Wednesday, March 6, 2013

President Garfield Assassination

My first ebook, Destiny of the Republic turned out to describe a President who was reluctantly nominated and yet made an impact despite his very short term in office.

Garfield was, by all accounts, an outstanding individual. The irony was that the bullet wound was likely not lethal--his doctors killed him by constantly sticking their fingers and dirty instruments in his wound. Despite exposure to the teachings of Joseph Lister, the pioneer of antiseptic surgery and a true disciple of antiseptic practice, Garfield's doctors didn't believe in germs.

He died of infections throughout his body introduced by the doctors, but lingered for over two months.

The book had a reasonable balance between the ugly physical conditions of the White House and medicine at the time and the story of a remarkable man. I was left yearning for more about him, just as the country was left yearning for more of James Garfield who seemed to have a calming, healing influence on the country. Such a presence and the unifying effect was apparently much needed at that time, so soon after the Civil War.

Thanks to Gerry for the recommendation.

1 comment:

  1. Interesting Pete, as Garfield is never in the front ranks. Of course, now I wait for your notions about Millard Fillmore.

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