James A. Garfield (The American Presidents)
by Ira Rutkow
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Book Summary Information
Author: Ira RutkowEdition: Hardcover
Audio: English (Original Language); English (Unknown); English (Published)
Published: 2006-05-30
ISBN: 080506950X
Number of pages: 208
Publisher: Times Books
Book Reviews of James A. Garfield (The American Presidents)
Book Review: Not just a biography but also a fascinating medical history
Summary: 5 Stars
The problem with writing a biography of Garfield focusing on his presidency is that there was not really all that much of it. After taking office on March 4th 1881, he was shot on July 2nd of that same year and spent the final few months of his life isolated whilst his doctors ineptly attempted to treat him.
Rutkow, an expert on medical history, chooses to set the focus of the biography on the assassination attempt and the medical drama that ensued. This is balanced effectively with discussion of his early life and military career with the book never feeling like either section is an afterthought.
Medical terminology is certainly not my strong point (using a plaster is about the limit of my medical expertise) so I was delighted to find the book was accessible, easy to understand and utterly compelling. It is staggering just how poor the quality of treatment Garfield received was, with Rutkow effectively demonstrating that what killed Garfield was more likely the treatments than the injuries.
James A. Garfield's presidency may have been limited in achievements but Rutkow has crafted a compelling biography. The medical focus ensures that this is not only a well-written political history but also a fascinating dose of medical history, reminding us of how relatively modern many of the advances we take for granted are.
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