This book immediately drew me into it, from the first page.

Great book about a potential great President who was shot down too early for history to realize it! This book starts and the author is a great writer!!!!!

I finished the book on Friday evening. It was excellent.

Finished. Good Book.

Starting Part 3. Garfield has been shot, Guiteau has Bern captured, and Arthur & Conkling are starting to br vilified. The country fears an Arthur presidency. Great storytelling.

Still reading. Conkling just resigned and was not reelected to the Senate, and Guiteau received "divine influence" to remove Garfield from office by assassinating him. Conkling over-calculated his... more

Still reading. Conkling just resigned and was not reelected to the Senate, and Guiteau received "divine influence" to remove Garfield from office by assassinating him. Conkling over-calculated his influence, and Guiteau was just a warped, dillusional (sp.) man.

Fascinating account of Garfield's assassination

Still reading and enjoying. Time to go read some more.

I have completed the first part of the book. The chapters dealt with the Garfield's pre-1880 life, the Republican convention in Chicago in 1880 and his unexpected nomination to become President of... more

I have completed the first part of the book. The chapters dealt with the Garfield's pre-1880 life, the Republican convention in Chicago in 1880 and his unexpected nomination to become President of the United States, and his election to the Presidency. It also described the tragic life of Charles Guiteau, his future assassin, showing the pitiable life of someone who was completely divorced from reality and quite insane.

It would be nice if the conventions still actually fought over and contested nominees. Maybe we'd get another Garfield who could actually lead the nation instead of the group we have now.

But then I would not mind if we still did like in the early days of the republic and the first and second place winners in electoral votes became President and Vice-President. Definitely throw some spice into the government gumbo.

Think it is time to call it a night and start Part II.

Think I will go read some more now. It is fascinating how this book compliments the Ackerman book Dark Horse. It actually adds some additional information and color that was not included in the... more

Think I will go read some more now. It is fascinating how this book compliments the Ackerman book Dark Horse. It actually adds some additional information and color that was not included in the Ackerman book. Makes me wish there was a recent biography of James Garfield that I could pick up and read ( or at least download to the Kindle).

Think I will go read some more of this fascinating book. So far it definitely compliments the book Dark Horse by Kenneth D. Ackerman.

If you are interested in another perspective on James Garfield's presidency and assassination, you should also try Dark Horse by Kenneth D. Ackerman. It is an older account (probably late '90s... more

If you are interested in another perspective on James Garfield's presidency and assassination, you should also try Dark Horse by Kenneth D. Ackerman. It is an older account (probably late '90s, early 2000s) but still a fascinating book. Here is the Amazon page for it:

www.amazon.com/Dark-Horse-Surprise-Political-President/dp/1619450003

Only $3.99 if you have a Kindle!

Starting this book. This is one of the areas in American History that I am not particularly well-versed in outside of the general American history classes I took.

I read another book on the... more

Starting this book. This is one of the areas in American History that I am not particularly well-versed in outside of the general American history classes I took.

I read another book on the events surrounding James Garfield's assassination and for some reason got fascinated with him. He was only president for a month before he was assassinated, but he had the potential for so much more. If anyone could have been a true successor to Abraham Lincoln it may have been James Garfield. It is a shame we will never know what he could have done for the United States, and that he is one of our little-known presidents.

Pretty good book about one of the forgotten presidents: Garfield

This is a great book. It has taught me many things I never knew, and I have found a real respect for James A. Garfield.

Sounds like my life...

I've always loved the James Garfield story. This book does a really great job of illustrating it.

Almost finished. Wonderful read about James Garfield. The man was in office for less than half a year, but was quite possibly the greatest President we've ever had. If I could have dinner with one... more

Almost finished. Wonderful read about James Garfield. The man was in office for less than half a year, but was quite possibly the greatest President we've ever had. If I could have dinner with one person who is already dead, Garfield would be my choice.

Add this to your must read list:non-fiction about Garfield:his rise to President & his assassination:the bullet did less damage than the doctors.His death revolutionized medicine-germs=bad & unified... more

Add this to your must read list:non-fiction about Garfield:his rise to President & his assassination:the bullet did less damage than the doctors.His death revolutionized medicine-germs=bad & unified the post-Civil War US. Fascinating!

I've looked at his casket a bunch of times, might as well get to know him.

There was another book I read recently, 1861: The Civil War Awakening that hinted heavily at Garfield's career and potential. It's odd, though ... I read Dark Horse about the election and I wasn't... more

There was another book I read recently, 1861: The Civil War Awakening that hinted heavily at Garfield's career and potential. It's odd, though ... I read Dark Horse about the election and I wasn't struck the same way. Might have to re-read it sometime soon.

So psyched ... almost bought it, the wife convinced me to wait until it was available through the digital library and now here it is!

Read this & be amazed that there was ever a politician like James Garfield (and sad that there will never be another). #books

Reading free iBooks preview, actually. #PoorBoy