The biography begins with Garfield's early life in Ohio, detailing his humble beginnings, education, and rise from poverty to prominence. Brown highlights Garfield’s commitment to learning and self-improvement, which led him to become a well-respected scholar and educator. He later pursued a career in politics, serving in various capacities, including as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, where he established a reputation as a skilled orator and effective legislator.Brown provides insights into Garfield’s presidential campaign, emphasizing his vision for a united nation and his efforts toward civil service reform. The book also discusses the significant issues of the time, including the aftermath of the Civil War and the struggles of Reconstruction. Garfield's presidency was cut short when he was shot by an assassin in July 1881, just a few months after taking office. Brown describes the events surrounding the assassination and Garfield’s subsequent struggle for life, which ultimately ended in his death in September of that year.