Mr. Ackerman talked about his book, Dark Horse: The Surprise Election and Political Murder of President James A. Garfield, published by Carroll and Graff. The book examines President Garfield’s 1880 “dark horse” campaign after the longest-ever Republican nominating process (36 convention ballots), his victory in the closest-ever popular vote for president (by only 7,018 votes out of over 9 million cast), his struggle against feuding factions once elected, and the public’s response to its culmination in violence. Presidnet Garfield was shot on July 2, 1881 and died on September 6, 188l. Mr. Ackerman talked about the U.S. politics of the time, the battles for power, and the assassination of President Garfield. The events changed the tone of future politics.