In Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President, Candice Millard masterfully brings to life the tragic and often overlooked assassination of President James A. Garfield. Her narrative focuses not only on the assassination itself but also on the wider context of American politics, medicine, and society during the late 19th century.
At the heart of the story is James Garfield, a Civil War hero and self-made man who rose from poverty to become the 20th President of the United States. Millard portrays Garfield as an intelligent, compassionate leader with immense potential, cut short by a senseless act of violence. Unlike many other historical biographies, this book doesn’t limit itself to a mere retelling of events but delves deeply into the medical, political, and psychological implications of Garfield’s life and death.
The novel opens with Garfield’s ascent to power. As an unassuming man, Garfield never sought the presidency, and Millard paints him as someone thrust into a position of great responsibility almost against his will. Nevertheless, Garfield quickly grew into his role as a progressive leader with ideals of healing a nation still fractured by the Civil War. His presidency promised reform and unity, but this potential was tragically interrupted by a fateful encounter with Charles Guiteau, a deranged office seeker.
Millard offers a detailed profile of Guiteau, a man whose madness drove him to believe he was divinely appointed to remove Garfield from office. Millard’s portrayal of Guiteau serves as a compelling psychological study of delusion and obsession, contrasting sharply with Garfield’s intellect and character. Despite being arrested almost immediately after shooting Garfield in a Washington train station, Guiteau’s role in the president’s death was just the beginning of a larger tragedy.
What follows the assassination attempt is a harrowing tale of medical mismanagement. Millard highlights how Garfield’s death was not an inevitable consequence of the gunshot wound but was largely due to the primitive state of medical knowledge at the time. The doctors attending to Garfield, most notably Dr. D. Willard Bliss, inadvertently contributed to his demise by repeatedly probing his wound with unsterilized fingers and instruments, exposing him to fatal infections. In fact, Millard argues that had Garfield received competent medical care, he likely would have survived.
The medical element of the book is one of its most fascinating aspects, as Millard explores the dawn of antiseptic surgery and how Dr. Joseph Lister’s groundbreaking work was largely ignored by the American medical community. Lister had revolutionized European medicine by advocating for cleanliness and sterilization during surgeries, but his theories were dismissed in the United States. Bliss, with his ego and outdated knowledge, refused to consider Lister’s ideas, leading to Garfield’s slow, painful decline.
Parallel to Garfield’s medical plight, Millard weaves in the story of Alexander Graham Bell, the inventor of the telephone, who worked tirelessly to create a device that could locate the bullet lodged in Garfield’s body. Bell’s innovation and determination offer a glimmer of hope in the midst of a grim story, but ultimately, his invention could not save the president.
Another key theme Millard examines is the political turmoil of the time. The Republican Party was divided between two factions: the reform-minded “Half-Breeds,” led by Garfield, and the “Stalwarts,” who favored the spoils system and were resistant to change. Vice President Chester Arthur, a Stalwart, found himself in an awkward position as Garfield lay dying, aware that he would soon be thrust into the presidency. Millard portrays Arthur’s transformation from a party loyalist into a reformer as one of the book’s most remarkable developments.
Garfield lingered for over two months after being shot, during which time the country rallied around him. His eventual death in September 1881 was a national tragedy, and Millard highlights the outpouring of grief from citizens across the country, united in mourning for a president who had barely begun to fulfill his potential.
Candice Millard’s Destiny of the Republic is more than just a biography; it is a gripping tale that touches on the complex intersections of politics, science, and human nature. The book explores the American political landscape, the impact of medical ignorance, and the mental unraveling of a disturbed assassin. Through her narrative, Millard makes a strong case that Garfield’s death was as much a result of ignorance as it was of violence, and she paints a moving portrait of a man whose potential was cut short by forces beyond his control.
Book Review of Destiny of the Republic
Destiny of the Republic has garnered widespread acclaim for its engaging and well-researched storytelling. Readers and critics alike praise Millard’s ability to transform what might have been a dry historical account into a compelling narrative that reads like a thriller. The depth of her research is evident, but it’s her skill in humanizing the historical figures at the heart of the story that truly sets the book apart.
Garfield, Guiteau, and even secondary figures like Alexander Graham Bell and Chester Arthur are presented as complex, fully realized characters, allowing readers to connect with them on a personal level. This emotional resonance adds a layer of poignancy to the book, making Garfield’s suffering and ultimate death all the more tragic.
Millard’s exploration of the medical practices of the time is both fascinating and horrifying, as she brings to light how ignorance and arrogance contributed to Garfield’s demise. Readers are left with a sense of frustration over how differently things might have turned out had the president received better care.
The book’s pacing and structure have also been praised, as Millard weaves together the various narrative threads of Garfield’s life, the political climate, Guiteau’s madness, and the medical innovations of the time with ease. The result is a book that is as informative as it is engaging, offering readers a fresh perspective on a relatively forgotten chapter of American history.
However, some readers have pointed out that the medical detail, while necessary to the story, can be a bit overwhelming at times. Others note that while Millard’s focus on key historical figures is thorough, they would have appreciated a broader examination of the cultural and social implications of Garfield’s death.
Overall, Destiny of the Republic is an exemplary work of narrative nonfiction that succeeds in making history come alive. Millard’s writing is both accessible and deeply insightful, making this a must-read for anyone interested in American history, politics, or medical science.
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About the Author: Candice Millard
Candice Millard is an American historian and writer, known for her vivid and detailed works of narrative nonfiction. She is a former writer and editor for National Geographic and has written multiple bestsellers, including The River of Doubt and Hero of the Empire. Her works have received numerous awards and nominations for their engaging storytelling and meticulous research. Millard’s focus on historical figures, particularly those whose stories have been overlooked or forgotten, allows readers to experience history from fresh, unique perspectives. Through her work, she has become a leading voice in the field of narrative history.
