   | White House secrets : medical lies and cover-ups (Medical Fiascoes) Author: Jarrow, Gail | |
| Price: $27.48 | ||
Summary:
Too often when a president is sick or dying, he and the people around him have hidden his condition from the public, wanting to project an image of strength and power. Gail Jarrow explores the shocking, yet true, stories of presidential medical cover-ups from the 19th through the 21st centuries.
Reviews:
Kirkus Reviews (08/15/25)
School Library Journal (+) (09/05/25)
Booklist (07/01/25)
Full Text Reviews:
School Library Journal - 09/05/2025 Gr 7 Up—Jarrow is back with her fourth installment of the award-winning "Medical Fiascoes" series. This time, she focuses on nine presidents who hid medical crises from the American public. Each president (from James A. Garfield to Joe Biden) gets his own chapter, which begins with a brief biographical sketch, followed by an overview of the medical issues, and how (and why) those around him kept it a secret. Each chapter includes historical photographs and illustrations to add context to the events. The content is engaging and easy to follow, even when multiple figures are introduced. The epilogue encourages readers to consider the impact of an ailing president on the country and the role the media plays in the conversation, perhaps prompting young readers to think about media literacy. Extensive back matter offers more to explore. VERDICT History lovers and budding political enthusiasts will enjoy this behind-the-scenes look at presidential history.—Laura Nan Hargrove - Copyright 2025 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
Booklist - 07/01/2025 Jarrow’s latest book reveals a series of misleading reports on a president’s health, created and/or spread by certain presidents and their families, staffs, friends, doctors, and sometimes even the press. Beginning with James Garfield, who was shot and wounded in a failed assassination attempt in 1881 and later died from the infection that followed, Jarrow notes that doctors of the period were hampered by their limited knowledge of hygiene and germ theory. In 1919, after a stroke left Woodrow Wilson partly paralyzed and “incapacitated both physically and—at least temporarily—mentally,” his wife apparently took it upon herself to make “presidential” decisions in order to preserve his health. A relatively young presidential candidate, John F. Kennedy seemed healthy and energetic, but he suffered from Addison’s disease and was often medicated for back pain. Jarrow presents information about nine presidents, concluding with Joseph Biden. Well researched and succinctly written, each chapter tells a different tale based on secrets kept by presidents and those who wanted to protect them. An intriguing topic explored in compelling true stories and illustrated with period photos. - Copyright 2025 Booklist.
