Book Review: The President and The Assassin by Scott Miller, 2011, Random House.

The President and the Assassin by Scott Miller presents a compressed but lush course in history lending context to the cold blooded murder of William McKinley at the hands of self proclaimed anarchist Leo Czologosz. Published in 2011 by Random House the similarities between today and the turning of the nineteenth century into the twentieth are startling. As the United States begins to flex its muscle and influence as a global military and financial power; as war, labor unrest, colonialism, invasion, protests against the rich, and violence in the streets serve as background against a growing progressive movement in the Democrat party, a solidifying conservative movement in the Republican party and a schizophrenic anarchist movement trying to find its voice --- as with all assassinations, it comes down to one disgruntled human being at the center. What makes this case differ from the Garfield and Kennedy assassinations, and is yet similar to Abraham Lincoln’s murder, is the President’s actual cause of death. William McKinley did not die on the floor of the Temple of Music at the 1901 Pan American Exposition in Buffalo. He died following surgery and while it is arguable that his physicians may have committed malpractice, a shocked and patriotic society looking for order during disorderly times holds the man who put this causation into motion responsible. Leo Czologosz hangs, order is restored and the United States under Theodore Roosevelt flourishes. This is a most fascinating and well written book that should be the cornerstone for any historian’s and history lover’s bookshelf.

Andrew Breitbart, Boy this hit me in the gut......

Beyond the fact he was 43 years old, it is the vigor of the man that makes this the tragedy it is. Rest in Peace Andrew. You fought the good fight and now it is left to us to take up the mantle.

To your family and friends, my heart goes out.

Boy this hit in the gut.

Megadeth --- I knew I liked them

To Dave Mustaine. You have always been a straight shooter and stand up guy. Bless you and the band. And folks don't forget to vote in 2012.

Grover Cleveland: The President is a Sick Man

Catch my review of this wonderful book on Associated Content.