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White House Secrets: Medical Lies and Cover-Ups (Medical Fiascoes Series)
CCBC Review:
With an American presidential history that includes eight deaths while in office, and a third of incumbents experiencing serious illness during their terms, there is plenty of material to draw on for this chronological account of commanders-in-chief with ill health and the cover-ups that often accompanied it. The first chapter highlights James Garfield, shot in 1881 just a few months after taking office. Garfield lingered for 80 days before succumbing to an injury that may have been survivable if the wound hadn’t been contaminated by doctors’ dirty hands and unclean instruments and their unwillingness to consider antiseptic medical practice, which was widely accepted by other physicians of the time. Morning newspaper medical bulletins painted an optimistic picture for weeks while Garfield’s condition deteriorated. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, John F. Kennedy, and Ronald Reagan are among other presidents included, and the final chapter, titled “The Disastrous Debate,” highlights Joe Biden. An Epilogue summarizes why presidents chose to hide medical problems, often because they saw it as being in the country’s best interest. Others may have done so to help win an election, maintain power, or simply protect their reputation. Spouses, aides, and physicians were commonly instrumental in maintaining the cover-ups. The well-designed volume includes photos, newspaper headlines, and other images, as well as a timeline, glossary, and link to additional sources. ©2026 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
CCBC Age Recommendation: 10 and older
Age Range:
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-13)
Grades 9-12 (Age 14 and older)
Format:
Substantial Narrative Non-Fiction
Subjects:
17th Century
18th Century
19th Century
20th Century
Illness and Disease
Medicine
Mental Health and Illness
Physical Disability
Presidents
Rumor, Myth and Misinformation
U.S. History
On CCBC Booklist:
Privacy Between the Pages: Selected Books for Older Children and Teens
Publishers:
Calkins Creek, Astra
Publish Year: 2025
Pages: 283
ISBN: 9781662681035
CCBC Location: Non-Fiction, 973 Jarrow