The Life and Work of James A. Garfield, Twentieth President of the United States Embracing an Account of the Scenes and Incidents of His Boyhood; the Struggles of His Youth; the Might of His Early Manhood; His Valor As a Soldier; His Career As a Statesman; His Election to the Presidency; and the Tragic Story of His Death.

From a modest cabin on the Ohio frontier to the lecture halls of a fledgling college, the narrative follows a young man whose curiosity and determination set him apart. Growing up after his father's early death, he labored in the fields, taught himself to read, and seized every chance for learning, shaping a mind that would later command respect. The early chapters paint a vivid picture of a self‑made scholar whose values were forged in hardship and community.

When the Civil War erupts, he trades his plow for a rifle, rising through the ranks with a reputation for bravery and fairness that earned him the admiration of comrades and superiors alike. After the war, his eloquence and integrity launch him into politics, where he quickly becomes a voice for reform and education, culminating in a hard‑won presidential nomination. The book brings readers to the dramatic moment of his election, while hinting at the looming tragedy that would cut his promising tenure short.