President Garfield: From Radical to Unifier
| Company type | Book |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | 2023 |
| Founder | C.W. Goodyear |
| Products | Biography |
President Garfield: From Radical to Unifier is a 2023 biography authored by C.W. Goodyear that explores the life of U.S. President James A. Garfield. Esteemed presidential historian Richard Norton Smith described it as "the most detailed Garfield biography in nearly five decades, and the most engaging to date."
Background
This work marks Goodyear's first published book. Based in Washington, D.C., Goodyear works as a ghostwriter and began his investigation in 2018, concentrating on the Reconstruction era and the Gilded Age to highlight connections with modern American history. He found Garfield’s story increasingly fascinating, observing that the president was overlooked rather than entirely forgotten. His research involved extensive visits to the Library of Congress, archives at Hiram College, and various Ohio historical collections, though progress was hindered by the COVID-19 lockdowns.
Contents
The biography is divided into five sections. The initial part explores Garfield's familial roots, education, marriage, academic pursuits, and early political involvement. The second section narrates his military service during the American Civil War. Part three examines his election to the U.S. House of Representatives and ascent to the position of Minority Leader of the United States House of Representatives. The concluding segment covers the 1880 election, Garfield’s short tenure as president, his assassination, and enduring impact.
Each chapter opens with a Shakespearean quotation drawn from Garfield’s diary entries, connecting his introspections to pivotal moments in his public life.
Reception
Upon publication, President Garfield garnered favorable critiques. Publishers Weekly characterized it as "a comprehensive addition to earlier biographies that emphasized Garfield’s assassination over his life." An Associated Press review lauded Goodyear's captivating narrative style and thorough scholarship, deeming it a "valuable introduction to this statesman." Kirkus Reviews praised it as "an expert depiction of an intelligent, patient, and capable figure deserving greater historical recognition."
In the Wall Street Journal, Smith referred to the biography as "the most accessible [Garfield biography] ever written" and applauded Goodyear’s "stylish and dynamic prose," likening his enthusiasm to that of a young Edmund Morris. Smith particularly noted Goodyear’s vivid portrayal of the dramatic events at the 1880 Republican National Convention, culminating in Garfield’s nomination on the 36th ballot.
Carl Paulus from the Washington Examiner offered critique regarding the subtitle "From Radical to Unifier," pointing out that Garfield is depicted as embodying both traits simultaneously. Paulus highlighted Garfield’s blend of idealism with pragmatism, referencing his departure from the Wormley's Hotel meeting during the Compromise of 1877. He viewed the book as more insightful about Congressional dynamics during Garfield’s period than strictly a presidential biography, emphasizing Garfield’s intellectual coherence and ideological steadiness in the House.
Similarly, Garrett Graff in the Washington Post described the volume as "not only a meticulous examination of Garfield but also a depiction of a nation evolving" from its frontier beginnings through Reconstruction and into the Gilded Age. While commending its vigorous writing style, Graff questioned Goodyear's portrayal of Ulysses S. Grant, suggesting Grant comes across as somewhat flat compared to recent rehabilitations by historians such as Joan Waugh and Ron Chernow.