A community-wide event to promote reading, spark discussion and unite us around one exceptional book.

This October, join us to read Destiny of the Republic, Candice Millard’s incredible book about James Garfield’s presidency and assassination. Meticulously researched, epic in scope and pulsating with an intimate human focus and high-velocity narrative drive. Destiny of the Republic brings alive a forgotten chapter of U.S. history.

To celebrate Destiny of the Republic:

• Multiple copies of Destiny of the Republic will be available at the Library starting October 1.

• Pick up a discussion packet for your own book clubs.  
   
• Attend the “Patient is the President: Deaths and Near Deaths of the Chief Executives” program on Tuesday, October 4 from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. 
  National award winning historian Barry Bradford returns with a fascinating multimedia presentation. Learn about the dramatic stories of the frantic efforts to save Lincoln, Garfield, McKinley, Kennedy and Reagan, plus the medical issues that faced Tyler, Wilson, FDR, and Nixon.
   
• View a screening of the PBS documentary The Murder of a President on Thursday, October 6 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
   
• Join us in book discussions on either October 13 or October 27 from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
   
• Skype with Author Candice Millard at Emerson Middle School on Mon​day, October 24 at 7 p.m.
  Author Candice Millard will join us via live video to talk about the book, the writing process, and more. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable evening! The event is free, but tickets are required and will be available beginning October 1 at the Reader Services Desk. For more information, please call 847-720-3280. 

Visit LitLovers website for discussion questions and more.

Candice Millard is a former writer and editor for National Geographic magazine. Her first book, The River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey, was a New York Times bestseller and was named one of the best books of the year by the New York Times, Washington Post, San Francisco Chronicle, Christian Science Monitor, and Kansas City Star.

Millard's second book, Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine & the Murder of a President, rose to number five on The New York Times bestseller list and has been named a best book of the year by The New York Times, Washington Post, Kirkus Reviews, The Kansas City Star, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.

Her third book, Hero of the Empire: The Boer War, a Daring Escape, and the Making of Winston Churchill was published in September 2016.

Millard's work has also appeared in Time Magazine, Washington Post Book World, and the New York Times Book Review. She lives in Kansas City with her husband and three children.

Candice Millard’s website: www.candicemillard.com 

Related Reading

Dark Horse: The Surprise Election and Political Murder by Kenneth Ackerman

James A. Garfield by Ira Rutkow 

Assassination Vacation by Sarah Vowell 

River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt’s Darkest Journey by Candice Millard 

Hero of the Empire: The Boer War, a Daring Escape, and the Making of Winston Churchill by Candice Millard 

The President and the Assassin: McKinley, Terror, and Empire at the Dawn of the American Century by Scott Miller  (Available through the Interlibrary Loan Service (ILL). Contact Tony Letrich at (847) 720-3235.

Previous Park Ridge Read titles:

2014 - After Visiting Friends by Michael Hainey

2011- Ordinary Heroes by Scott Turow 

2009 - Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson 

2007 - The Love Wife by Gish Jen 

2005 - So Big by Edna Ferber 

Park Ridge Reads is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Library.