Author Topic: Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard - March Book Club Online (Read 54625 times)

HaroldArnold · « **Reply #80 on:** March 03, 2012, 05:12:45 PM »

March Book Club Online

Destiny of the Republic
Candice Millard

A New York Times Notable Book of 2011 - "One of the many pleasures of Candice Millard’s new book, Destiny of the Republic, is that she brings poor Garfield to life—and a remarkable life it was…..Fascinating… Outstanding….Millard has written us a penetrating human tragedy.” - - The New York Times Book Review

"A passionate abolitionist, Garfield was not only hailed a hero in the Civil War, but was a fierce champion of the rights of freed slaves. At the same time, he was a supremely gifted scholar who had become a university president at just 26 years of age, and, while in Congress, wrote an original proof of the Pythagorean Theorem.

With each diary entry and letter I read, each research trip I took, Garfield came more clearly and vividly to life. It was not until I visited the National Museum of Health and Medicine in Washington, D.C., however, that I began to understand the extent of the suffering that Garfield, and the nation with him" - Candice Millard

DISCUSSION SCHEDULE:
March l	Part One (Plus Prologue)
March 9	Part Two
March 17	Part Three
March 24	Part Four

Some Topics to Consider

1. Discuss the reason for Chapter VI. 1. Discuss Candice Millard’s purpose in including details of Bell’s legal problems defending his Telephone Patents. Was all this detail necessary for the story?

2. Discuss Garfield’s Presidency as it emerged after his inauguration March 4, 1881. What single duty occupied most of Garfield’ Business Day? Did Conkling man, Vice President Chester A. Arthur pose a particular problem? What particular problems confronted Garfield in filling Cabinet posts with competent men? Who were the men who comprised Garfield’s White House Staff?

3. Discuss Guiteau‘s appearance on the Washington scene. What did Guiteau want from Garfield? What was Conkling’s surprise reaction to Garfield’s appointment of Conkling’s bitterest enemy to head the N.Y. Customs House?

4. Discuss Guiteau’s decision to give up his campaign for a Federal Job and to finalize his plan to kill the President. How did he acquire a gun? What precautions did he take to insure his own safety. Where did he plan to do the deed? In his mind what did he expect the event would have on him personally?

5. Discuss details of the assassination. Why did the first two attempts at the church fail? How did the alternate opportunity at the R.R. Station come about? What steps did Guiteau take too assure his safety after the event?

Discussion Leaders: Ella & Harold

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MaryZ, Thank you for the information on the other U.S. President with Mouth Cancer. I had not known of Cleveland's problem. Those dang cigars are real killers.. Cleveland who live 16 years after his ship board surgery seems to have emerged far better than Grant.

maryz · « **Reply #81 on:** March 03, 2012, 05:32:45 PM »

I was pretty sure one of the early presidents had come back to serve in Congress. It was John Quincy Adams. The time line on this Wikipedia page is on the right side.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Quincy_Adams

Also, William Howard Taft was appointed to the Supreme Court after he was president.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Howard_Taft

HaroldArnold · « **Reply #82 on:** March 03, 2012, 06:17:54 PM »

If any of you really want to know more about any past U.S. President's life after retirement simply google on the string:

The Particular Presidents name:Life After the Presidency ie Bill Clinton:Life After the Presidency

enter simply George Bush: Life after the presidence and you will get answers on both of the Bush Presidents.

Ella Gibbons · « **Reply #83 on:** March 04, 2012, 08:40:04 AM »

THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR COMMENTS. WHAT AN INTERESTING START TO OUR DISCUSSION OF PRESIDENT GARFIELD.

Thank you, MARY, that is what I meant to imply. Garfield had been a Congressman before he was elected President and, as DEAN implied he might have had trouble going back to Congress after the presidency. But as you pointed out, Adams did it. I had no idea, so thank you for that.

What do all of you think about Roscoe Conkling - that "thoughly rotten man" as Garfield called him. A leader of the Stalwarts, "arguably the most powerful person in the country." (pg.16)

Wow! A bit about him: http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h706.html

HaroldArnold · « **Reply #84 on:** March 04, 2012, 12:27:43 PM »

This afternoon I will be at my work at the National Historical Park,Mission Espada. This is my regular Sunday Afternoon work..

Also I note that at least 4 or 5 people who had indicated they would participate have not yet checked in. Come on Everybody LET'S DISCUSS!

ANNIE · « **Reply #85 on:** March 04, 2012, 01:51:49 PM »

Just renewed my book and am finally reading our assigned pages but have to attend a high school band concert this afternoon. I will get back in here later.

HaroldArnold · « **Reply #86 on:** March 05, 2012, 12:13:37 PM »

ADOANNIE, that's good news we look forward to hearing your thoughts on the book as soon as you are ready.

Ella Gibbons · « **Reply #87 on:** March 05, 2012, 01:11:48 PM »

Possibly, HAROLD, it was such a good book that people finished it and either don't want to go back or returned it to the library. THAT HAPPENS!

Or they took a day or so off to recoup their thoughts

So shall you and I and ANN and a few others continue? OF COURSE, OF COURSE.

A good book to discuss.

You know we haven't discussed all those inventions at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadephia. They must have been amazing to those folks who were able to go to the city. The auto was not invented yet but Willilam Ford (Henry's father) was able to travel from his farm in Dearborn, Michigan.

The typewriter, telegraph and Alexander Graham Bell! The Bell Telphone Companies were around forever, weren't they!

In my life, television and the computer, I believe, are the two wondrous inventions that I have marveled at! Still do!!! I was 19 years old when I saw my first television! And I got my first computer in 1997 when I discovered email and the Internet! And Seniornet!

When did you first see TV?

So there are still marvelous inventions yet to come. Mankind is forever curious! And we must discuss medical breakthroughs, as the book later deals with Garfield's medical treatment as he lay dying.

ANN, we will be waiting for your comments! And any other??

Ella Gibbons · « **Reply #88 on:** March 05, 2012, 01:16:02 PM »

I must add one little postscript! Quoting pg. 9 - "So incomplete and uncertain was the United States that, although it was a hundred years old, it did not yet have a national anthem."

After 100 years! But it had "Dixie" and what was the anthem for the North?? Can't think.

ANNIE · « **Reply #89 on:** March 05, 2012, 01:20:57 PM »

What impresses me about this Part 1, are the number of new inventions, processes etc that are being touted at the Philly exhibit. Also think that being president of the US is not all that James Garfield can accomplish. His interest in math, science and history is something to pay attention to. He is a very gifted man.
I read the history of John Adams presidency and then his being a member of Congress after leaving the top office. Cited is the claim that he was able to do more in Congress. Also mentioned are are the amazing inventions of his lifetime and I quote : During Adams' lifetime, technological innovations and new means of communication spread messages of religious revival, social reform, and party politics. Goods, money and people traveled more rapidly and efficiently than ever before.[6]
Regarding Ella's question above, #3: Of course, I am amazed the most that the medicine progress of this time has allowed my husband's life to be saved by a VAD invention (heart pump). Its a miracle, believe me!

Ella Gibbons · « **Reply #90 on:** March 05, 2012, 01:29:21 PM »

HELLO ANN

Yes, indeed, that is the most amazing (I have no better word for it, but there should be) invention that allows your husband to continue. And I would be dead also if not for a pacemaker!!! Which probably did not exist 30 years ago. We are seniors who are privileged to have life continued far beyond our parents or grandparents!

HaroldArnold · « **Reply #91 on:** March 05, 2012, 02:45:33 PM »

The first chapter that tells of Garfield"s visit to the 1876 Centennial Expedition certainly reflects a new nation well along in its recovery from the Civil War, poised for a period of economic recovery and expansion. Also the earlier growth cycle beginning at the close of the John Adams Administration in March 1801 had marked the beginning of the first wave of U.S. economic and physical expansion. In particular the the first two decades of the 19th century was marked by the move west of the Allegheny Mountains, and the adaption of the steam engine to drive river boats on the Ohio and Mississippi river systems. The wave beginning in the 1880's seems driven by two growth vectors; first the completion of the RR to the Pacific coast and second vastly improved wire communications through a maturing nationwide telegraph system and the new emerging voice telephone

The new Telephone system seems to have attracted the notice of the Author of our book. She has made the telephone inventor Alexander Graham Bell a character in her story by making him a reoccurring character particularly toward the end where she details Bell's research interest in perfecting an induction device to locate the bullet in Garfield's body. It would be interesting to see if Bell's biographers mention this interest?

Ella Gibbons · « **Reply #92 on:** March 05, 2012, 07:31:07 PM »

Are you going to read a biography of Bell, HAROLD? Let us know if anything is mentioned about Bell's device.

Go west, young man, go west! Wouldn't it have been something to see the land west of the Mississippi for the first time. Well, a few Indians to be reckoned with, hahah.

Some years ago, we discussed a book about the completion of the railroad to the Pacific Coast.

I have an idea ANN remembers it well. Ginny led the discusion. Do you remember it HAROLD?

LET'S DISCUSS CHAPTER 4 AND THE COMMUNE THAT GUITEAU JOINED. iT'S AIM WAS PERFECTIONISM! It sounded to me as a fundamental religious cult. A socialist experiment?

And it was named the Oneida Community (somewhere in the book I read of the silverware named after this establishment, I'm sure most housewives of my era remember the name)

What did you think of this commune, HAROLD - ANYONE? Any thoughts - say of Waco or other cults?

Ella Gibbons · « **Reply #93 on:** March 05, 2012, 07:34:28 PM »

THE MANSION HOUSE, ONEIDA COMMUNITY, - STILL STANDING!!

Watch it on YOUTUBE:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DgPRA3De6EY

Lovely

HaroldArnold · « **Reply #94 on:** March 05, 2012, 10:55:23 PM »

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hail,_Columbia Hail Columbia. This song dates back to the late 18th century. In the 19th century it was sometimes noted as the unofficial US National Anthem. Audubon on the Sailing ship, Dellos approaching England on July 4 1826 in a nostalgic moment brought on by too much Porter (a high alcohol beer), mentioned missing its singing back at his Kentucky home. He also mentioned having an agonizing premonition of a great calamity befalling America. Weeks later in England he heard the news that both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams had died that day.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Graham_Bell#Later_inventions Bio Alexander Graham Bell
Indeed this Wikipedia Encyclopedia does mention Bells research and his attempt of accurately locate the bullet logged in Garfield’s body. As our author concluded his effort failed because of the proximity to the metal bed springs under Garfield’s mattress. Well talk more about that in when it comes up in the last week of this discussion.

Regarding my age when I first saw TV, I was 23. It was Jan 1950 when WOAI TV became the first station in San Antonio. I remember attending a trade show at The Gym at Alamo Stadium that had hundreds of brands and models. The cheapest one was$149. It had a 6 inch round B&W tube. Other larger ones were $200 or up to maybe $500 or more. All of course were B&W and I don't think the largest was bigger than 11 inches. I did not buy my own until 1955 but occasionally I watched programs at friends houses. I bought my 1st color TV about 1968, and today its a 40 inch Sharp HD.

Ella Gibbons · « **Reply #95 on:** March 06, 2012, 07:22:47 AM »

HAROLD, do you agree that the TV is the greatest invention of our lifetime? If not, what?

HaroldArnold · « **Reply #96 on:** March 06, 2012, 09:34:49 AM »

Probably not, because the digital computer has so many application in all fields of economic,scientific and social endeavor including television itself. Computers are everwhere

maryz · « **Reply #97 on:** March 06, 2012, 09:55:57 AM »

I'm following the discussion. I have the book, but haven't started it yet (trying to finish up something else first). I usually just lurk in book discussions anyway, without posting much.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #98 on:** March 06, 2012, 12:58:38 PM »

The Move is complete and unpacking is still in process.....so I'm back for a bit.

I did not think it was obscene for the country to have an expo shortly after the war. The country needed to move on, life continues.

The most important invention? Ohhhh, that is a hard one to answer. Personnally, i have always said to my students that we should all be celebrating Margaret Sanger's birthday! Her fight to give women control over reproduction was second only to the cause for women's suffrage, IMo. To think about having 7,8 or 10 or 12 children just overwhelms me. Of coyrse, her cohort in that endeavor was Kathryn McCormick who gave Gregory Pincus almost all of the 2million dollars needed to do the research and testing of the birth control pill. Many funders would not touch that research out of fear of the influence of the Catholic Church.

Now, having said that, the inventions in communications and transportation have had enormous impact on everything in society. All of the 50s and 60s "movements" owe their progress to TELEVISION! The whole world seeing the pictures of marchers and demonstrators and freedom riders being beaten and hosed and jailed brought outrage to the rest of the country motivating govt authorities to act on behave of the demonstrators. Viet Nam war wounded, priests setting themselves on fire, seeing Dr Spock and MLK speaking out against the war encouraged others to feel it was an unjust war and they should speak out.

But now we have the computer connecting the world IMMEDIATELY!

I can't say one more than another, i'm just glad i've had the use of all three in my lifetime!

maryz · « **Reply #99 on:** March 06, 2012, 01:18:57 PM »

John and I have had this discussion before. I maintain that the most important invention was "the pill" - which really gave women the control over their lives. He's an electrical engineer, and says it was the transistor - without which the space program and all the electronics we enjoy/fear today wouldn't be possible. But then we agree that the other one might be correct, too.

HaroldArnold · « **Reply #100 on:** March 06, 2012, 02:46:01 PM »

Regarding the Oneida Community. This was one of several communal living communities functioning in the U.S in the last quarter of the 19 century. I ran into these before in both high school and college American history courses. I guess I am not surprised that Guiteau would be attracted to live there. Also I am not exactly surprised that his association there did not last long.. Both Guiteau and The Community had their own agendas and neither was flexible enough to conform to the satisfaction of the other. Guiteau left moving out to live in a string of city boarding houses, one after the other in various cities staying in one as long as his landlady could tolerate his growing credit tab. It would seem American Society had not yet established a Credit history checking system.

Somehow today this type of community living experiment seems more appropriate for the 1970's hippie area than the U.S. in the 1870's. History, however, notes that a good deal of new political philosophy was being disseminated in mainstream American thought at this time, including quite a bit of radical Marxian socialist thinking.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #101 on:** March 06, 2012, 02:47:50 PM »

I am impressed w/ what an intelligent, curious, sensible man Garfield was. I wonder "can he be this terrific, or is the author romanticizing his story?

I don't believe that people are "saved" for a reason, life just happens IMO. If there is some controlling factor, why didn't Gaiteau die and Garfield live? Of course, i look at things from what i consider a rational point of view. That scenario makes the most sense for the good of society, but fate doesn't work on sensible.

I think it is helpful to know that much of what is happening today is not new. Many of us have very little knowledge of history and therefore, we think things are so terrible today and they were so much better in the "ole days," and i think people get more depressed about circumstances because of that attitude.

Ella, however, asked if it was "fun" to learn that issues are much the same in politics today. My instinctive reaction is NO!

i was a young adult in the 60s when we had great optimism that so many of the problems of the time - racial issues, poverty, environmental problems,
etc, would be soved by the 21st century. Arrrgghh! I get depressed when i hear the same
issues still being talked about! I want them solved! But it seems that humanity does change its stripes - yeah, i know that's a bad metaphor. You understand, what i learn most from reading history is that human nature doesn't change over centuries.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #102 on:** March 06, 2012, 02:51:52 PM »

That was supposed to be "humanity DOESN't change its stripes". I'm on the ipad and cannot get back to that part of the msg to change it.

Jean

HaroldArnold · « **Reply #103 on:** March 06, 2012, 03:56:51 PM »

Regarding Mable's comment in Reply #101 above,"I am impressed what an intelligent, curious, sensible man Garfield was. I wonder "can he be this terrific, or is the author romanticizing his story?"

Based on the information the Author gave us in the book particularly Garfield's Civil War record in which he commanded troops in battle that seem to have saved Kentucky for the Union. This record would seem to confirm Garfield's standing as an"intelligent, curious, sensible man." Also his post war record in Congress adds further support to this conclusion.

Is the author romanticizing her story? I think the Author is telling the story quite well. In particular I was impressed the way the Author weaves the story fabric beginning with the opening threads on Guiteau, to Garfield at the Philadelphia Expedition, to Bell, back to Guiteau, to -----, to --- --. The result was an easily read, easily comprehensible book.

Ella Gibbons · « **Reply #104 on:** March 07, 2012, 01:51:34 PM »

SHALL WE CONTINUE WITH THIS BOOK DISCUSSION? ARE ENOUGH OF YOU INTERESTED IN READING AND DISCUSSING IT? PLEASE LET US KNOW!

We have options. We can finish the book next week; making it a two-week discussion. Or discontinue it now?

We await your posts!

maryz · « **Reply #105 on:** March 07, 2012, 02:42:37 PM »

I've finally gotten started reading it. Maybe go for the two weeks? Again, I usually just read in a discussion and rarely post.

HaroldArnold · « **Reply #106 on:** March 07, 2012, 05:10:05 PM »

But how can it be a discussion, if everyone is silent!

serenesheila · « **Reply #107 on:** March 07, 2012, 10:16:47 PM »

Yes, I am still interested. However, I am having trouble finding time to read, and to discuss. I am putting my home up for sale. Didn't remember how much there is to do, when selling a home!

In addition, I am working on my taxes. Groan............... I am sorry that I haven't been keeping up. So, whatever everyone decides to do, is OK with me.

Ella, when my house sells, I will be headed your way. My son, and his family have been encouraging me to move closer to them. A small city, halfway between Dayton and Cinncinatti.

Sheila

marjifay · « **Reply #108 on:** March 08, 2012, 02:18:15 PM »

I thought it interesting that Garfield left the Ohio legislature to join the army. How many today would do that? Of course our country's wars today are fought only on battlefields in other lands, so maybe the fact that the war was fought here made a difference. I wonder if others in Congress or state legislatures back then were moved to join the army. But Garfield was young and apparently excited at the thought of fighting.

He did very well in the war for not having served before or having attended West Point. Was there anything that man could not do?

Reading about him as head of the Appropriations Committee in the House of Representatives made me wonder where the government got its money before income taxes were levied much later.

Marj

ANNIE · « **Reply #109 on:** March 08, 2012, 02:44:26 PM »

As I said earlier, Garfield was so gifted with curiosity that he realized he could never learn enough. (Well, once he changed his path to maturity)The way he competed with his fellow students in the university told us this. To be asked to teach classes before he had graduated is hard to believe. And then, to be appointed the president of what, I think, became Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio at the age of 26 is amazing. Here's short history of Western Reserve which is now an upgrade college prep school which is in Hudson, Ohio,where the original Western Reserve buildings still exist.

http://www.wra.net/page.cfm?p=359

I now find that there is a Western Reserve in Connecticut also but I do think that
Garfield would have chosen something closer to his home farm in Ohio.

ANNIE · « **Reply #110 on:** March 08, 2012, 03:10:56 PM »

Marifay,
What an interesting question! Let's go find out!
I found lots of articles but wanted a direct answer so will go with it. From Wiki.com:
It was paid for through import duties, excise taxes, and taxes that were divided among the states by their population.

marjifay · « **Reply #111 on:** March 08, 2012, 03:52:42 PM »

Per AdoAnnie's research, the govenment's money came from import duties, excise taxes, and taxes that were divided among the states by their population.

Interesting! Maybe we should go back to that. We certainly do a lot of importing. It would sure keep us from starting wars all over, and having some 700-plus military bases around the world. (That's the one thing on which I agree with Ron Paul). Maybe a national sales tax. We could put Congress on a part-time status, and reduce their wages. (fat chance)

Marj

Ella Gibbons · « **Reply #112 on:** March 08, 2012, 06:21:45 PM »

SHEILA - where? I know those areas fairly well, or used to. Yes, selling a home and all that is so difficult, I did that in 2004 after my husband died. I understand, but it might take your mind off problems to read a few chapters of the book.

FOLKS, tomorrow we begin PART TWO - WAR! We have new topics to consider in the heading.

MARJ, yes, what an exceptional man Garfield was. Like you, I was so impressed with some of his actions; he refused to seek an appointment or promotion of any kind. "I suppose I am morbidly sensitive about any reference to my own achievements, I so much despise a man who blows his own horn, that I go to the other extreme."

Could we elect a president today that has such an attitude?

Thanks, ANN, for that research. What a different time we live in. Our Congress cannot move on anything at the present time it seems to me and to vote on import taxes or stop supporting land bases around the world? No. Of course, there was a reason, I would imagine for those land bases, still is. We can use them in time of war or to land planes or bring ships in, etc. I think it is part of being a World Power. Of course, they didn't help prevent 9/11.

If you were president or in Congress, would you support giving up land bases around the world?

At the time of the Civil War we were far from a big, central government and we were not engaged in world affairs. How nice it would be to go back!!

But enought of chatting!!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS - AS LONG AS YOU KEEP POSTING, WE WILL BE AROUND.

Ella Gibbons · « **Reply #113 on:** March 08, 2012, 06:34:45 PM »

CHAPTER SIX is a short 7 pages, but it is all about Alexander Graham Bell and his inventions? Why do you think our author writes so much on this inventor when the book is about President Garfield?

HaroldArnold · « **Reply #114 on:** March 08, 2012, 07:51:36 PM »

Ella and all. As I remember Chapter 6 as you said it was all about Bell and his invention, and in particular it dealt with quite deep detail on how Bell had to devote much of his time and money to pay lawyers and court expense to defend his patents in court actions brought by parties alleging they had claims to the invention that predated Bells.. Though as you say the Chapter was relatively short I did not see why this detail was much relative to the support of Bells assigned role in the story of the book. Obvious Candice Millard thought that it was necessary, and included it . What do all of you think? Was this detail relative here, or was its inclusion just an additional 3000 words for readers to digest.

To morrow morning I will again be out of circulation for performance of our Readers Theater Project. Hopefully I will be back for the afternoon. This could be a great discussion book and hopefully we can get the discussion back on track for conclusion.

ANNIE · « **Reply #115 on:** March 08, 2012, 09:09:06 PM »

I really liked any facts that our author placed in the book. That these people who were inventing things to make one's life better that long ago is always amazing to me.
Hearing about Bell and Lister who were heavily involved in Garfield's dying days are interesting to me. I think it fleshes out the story and gives more history than one expects in a president's bio. I enjoyed it.

Ella Gibbons · « **Reply #116 on:** March 09, 2012, 09:56:32 AM »

Wonderful HAROLD AND ANN.

I love opposing ideas, it makes for an interesting discussion. Now, MARG and SHEILA, if you two have time, what do you think of Candice Millard writing so much about Bell and other inventors of the time. As ANN said, they have relevance to the book, but they could be, as HAROLD commented, just pages to fill out the book.

I thought they were interesting, I love any kind of history that is written well, and their relevance didn't come into play until Garfield was shot later in the book.

Garfield rode in an open carriage, no secret service. to the Capitol building to deliver his inaugual address. He spoke of education, the national debt but he was most passionate when he spoke of the Civil War, the liberation of slaves.

Which inaugual address have you remembered after all these years?

marjifay · « **Reply #117 on:** March 09, 2012, 11:41:08 AM »

I thought it was very interesting that Millard talked about other people of the time - the inventors, explorers, etc. I had no idea that that Bell was so young when he invented the telephone. I'd always pictured him the same age as Don Ameche (LOL).

Her writing about those other people it seems to me really brings that era to life and we can compare Garfield's life with those of others whom he was reading about and/or talking with.

I am going to read more about the explorer that she talked about, John Wesley Powell, who with only one arm navigated the rapids of the Columbia River and climbed cliffs, exploring the Grand Canyon. Amazing. I found several books about him at Amazon.com.

Marj

marjifay · « **Reply #118 on:** March 09, 2012, 11:52:00 AM »

Yes, I'm in favor of our getting rid of many of our military bases and using the money here at home to fix our highways, bridges, and many other good uses. Especially think we should get out of Afghanistan ASAP. Leave them to live in the Middle Ages. Altho I just read in a Wall Street Journal article that Afghanistan now has their own air force, financed by us, which they are using to transport heroin around their country.

Marj

JoanK · « **Reply #119 on:** March 09, 2012, 02:40:43 PM »

I'm behind in my reading: just finished Part I. Hope I can join late.

I like the fact that the author tells us about other things that were going on at the time: it's a time i know almost nothing about. And I find Bell to be a very interesting man. The scene at the exposition, where he demonstrates the telephone is unforgettable. Curious to know how he is relevant later.

I wish she had told us more about what Garfield had done in his political life before he was elected President. Was he only a gifted orator? He must have accomplished something to be in position to be nominated, even as a dark horse. Since he was not to be allowed further accomplishments, those he did make should be celebrated.

I was shocked to learn that, after emancipation, people of color needed passes to be abroad in Washington (my home town). Washington had a very interesting history during the Civil War as a primarily Southern town that was the Capital of the Union, located right next to the Confederacy. There is a very interesting book about that history: "Reveille in Washington" by Margeret Leech.

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Author Topic: Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard - March Book Club Online (Read 54625 times)