Started: 6/26/2013
Completed: 7/3/2013
Recommendation: This book got the Best Book awards for a reason. It is great. Read it.
Recommended By: NPR
Review:
When thinking of presidents, Garfield rarely jumps to mind. Frankly, I only knew his name because he was assassinated. Equally obscure to me was Chester Arthur (his VP who became president upon his death). This book is not really a biography of Garfield although it covers the basics. It is, however, a good character sketch and also gives a great look into the leading figures of the day. I love the way that I got surprised at all the coincidences and the people tying into the president. In some ways, I think that this story is the intersection of the American Ideal with Reality. The boat crash which partly opens the story is a wonderful metaphor for what everyone thinks will be the good side of the American dream crashing into the reality of people with too much power. This book is remarkably well written, carefully engaging, and myopically fascinating.
Started: 6/26/2013
Completed: 7/3/2013
Recommendation: This book got the Best Book awards for a reason. It is great. Read it.
Recommended By: NPR
Review:
When thinking of presidents, Garfield rarely jumps to mind. Frankly, I only knew his name because he was assassinated. Equally obscure to me was Chester Arthur (his VP who became president upon his death). This book is not really a biography of Garfield although it covers the basics. It is, however, a good character sketch and also gives a great look into the leading figures of the day. I love the way that I got surprised at all the coincidences and the people tying into the president. In some ways, I think that this story is the intersection of the American Ideal with Reality. The boat crash which partly opens the story is a wonderful metaphor for what everyone thinks will be the good side of the American dream crashing into the reality of people with too much power. This book is remarkably well written, carefully engaging, and myopically fascinating.
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