August 5, 2016, Book: 'Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President' by Candice Millard

Shadonna has selected the August 5, 2016, book: "Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President." Here is a brief overview from Amazon.com:

The extraordinary New York Times bestselling account of James Garfield's rise from poverty to the American presidency, and the dramatic history of his assassination and legacy, from bestselling author of The River of Doubt, Candice Millard. 

James Abram Garfield was one of the most extraordinary men ever elected president. Born into abject poverty, he rose to become a wunderkind scholar, a Civil War hero, a renowned congressman, and a reluctant presidential candidate who took on the nation's corrupt political establishment. But four months after Garfield's inauguration in 1881, he was shot in the back by a deranged office-seeker named Charles Guiteau. Garfield survived the attack, but become the object of bitter, behind-the-scenes struggles for power—over his administration, over the nation's future, and, hauntingly, over his medical care. Meticulously researched, epic in scope, and pulsating with an intimate human focus and high-velocity narrative drive, The Destiny of the Republic brings alive a forgotten chapter of U.S. history.

A few reviews:

"Crisp, concise and revealing history. . . . A fresh narrative that plumbs some of the most dramatic days in U.S. presidential history." —The Washington Post

“A spirited tale that intertwines murder, politics and medical mystery. . . . Candice Millard leaves us feeling that Garfield's assassination deprived the nation not only of a remarkably humble and intellectually gifted man but one who perhaps bore the seeds of greatness . . . splendidly drawn portraits. . . . Alexander Graham Bell makes a bravura appearance.” —The Wall Street Journal

May 13 Book: 'One Summer: America 1927' by Bill Bryson

Sam is hosting May 13 and has selected a Bill Bryson book, "One Summer: America 1927." Amazon.com says:

It’s amazing what a talented writer at the top of his game can do with a seemingly narrow topic. The title of Bill Bryson’s latest sums up the simplicity of his task: to document the “most extraordinary summer” of 1927, beginning with Charles Lindbergh’s successful flight across the Atlantic. Even though we know many of these stories--Lindbergh’s flight, Babe Ruth’s 60-homerun season, the Mississippi River flood, Al Capone’s bullet-ridden reign over Chicago--in Bryson’s hands, and in the context of one amazing summer of twentieth-century ingenuity and accomplishment, they feel fresh, lively, and just plain fun. The book is so jammed with “did you know it” nuggets and fascinating origin stories (the opening of the Holland Tunnel, the first Mickey Mouse prototype, the source of the term “hot dog”), the effect is like sitting beside a brilliant, slightly boozy barstool raconteur, who knows a little bit about everything. From a tabloid murder trial to a flagpole-sitting record to the secret origins of the looming Great Depression, One Summer offers a new look at a transitional period in history, re-introducing us to such characters as Capone, Jack Dempsey, Al Jolson, Charles Ponzi, and Herbert Hoover. Ultimately, this is a book about the moment when important things, for good or ill, began happening in the US. With a giddy narrative voice and keen eye for off-kilter details, Bryson has spun a clever tale of America’s coming of age.

A few reviews:

"This splendid book, written in the breezy and humorous style that has come to be Bryson's trademark, is sure to delight readers steeped in the history of the period as well as those looking to acquaint themselves with it for the first time." — The Associated Press


"There are two kinds of readers: those who love Bill Bryson and those who haven't met him yet... Colorful, rollicking and sweet, this is Bryson being Bryson. Which is to say: marvelous." — People

April 1, 2016, Book: 'Boys in the Trees: A Memoir'

"We have no secrets. We tell each other everything," sang Carly Simon in the 1970s.

For those of you who were awed by the feminine mystique of Carly back in the 70s, and perhaps sang along to "Anticipation" or "You're So Vain" playing on the turntable in your bedroom (or was that just me), then you'll be extra excited about this selection.

Juli is hosting on April 1, 2016, and she has chosen Carly's confessional new book, "Boys in the Trees: A Memoir" for our first spring selection.

Millennials may not know who Carly is, and they may not know she was married to the then very handsome (and troubled) James Taylor. But when I think about the demographics of our humble club, I'm pretty sure we ALL remember all of this. Like it was yesterday.

So whether you love Carly or you never thought much about her, you're going to learn all about her now.

And in case you'd like to flash back to the jaw-droppingly good music of the 70s (or just the bralessness of it), here's a great video for you to check out: https://youtu.be/Ux7HgO9QhAc