by Candice Millard is a non-fiction book about the 20th President, James A. Garfield.
President Garfield was only in office from March, 1881 until he died September 13, 1881 by complications from an assassin's bullet. There were no significant occurrences during his short presidential term other than a start on civil service reform. However, his personal story, with humble rural beginnings and losing his father at an early age, is one of great achievement. He was able by hard work and dedication to attain a college education and then elected to the Senate for multiple terms before his election as President.
About midway through the book Millard begins the often gruesome yet fascinating story of the shooting by Charles Guiteau. The shot did not kill the President. As a matter of fact, Millard makes a strong case that President Garfield would have lived had he more or less been left alone.
Instead, Dr. Doctor Bliss (his first name was Doctor) insisted full command on the treatment the President. Dr. Bliss did not believe in the existence of germs. He continually probed with dirty fingers and instruments in search of the bullet. The lack of antiseptic use caused President Garfield to die a slow, painful death.
This book was probably not the best book for a cheerful Holiday season. It is almost unbelievable to me that antisepsis techniques were not universally used in 1881. There were doctors who did believe and practiced techniques promoted by Dr. Joseph Lister from England. Unfortunately, they did not treat the President.
I highly recommend this book. As I said earlier, it is nonfiction so there are no surprises. It is an interesting look at this time in our history.
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