Review: 'Death by Lightning' Offers a Surprising Story About an Assassinated President Gone Too Soon
Netflix's four-part miniseries, based on Candice Millard's nonfiction book, tells the lesser-known story of President James A. Garfield. The series, titled Death By Lightning, premieres Thursday on Netflix and introduces itself as “a story about two men the world forgot.” While few in 2025 might recognize Charles Guiteau, Garfield’s assassin, many will know James A. Garfield as one of only four American presidents to be assassinated.
There are certainly less remembered presidents—does the name John Tyler ring any bells?—and assassins who are better known than Guiteau. However, choosing Garfield’s story for a docudrama is fitting, as it combines an intriguing, built-in murder mystery with themes highly relevant today.
Thematic Relevance
The story touches on civil rights, income inequality, cronyism, and corruption, themes that resonate with modern audiences. Garfield’s tragedy is not just a personal loss for his family but a national one.
“Death By Lightning,” Death by Lightning introduces itself as “a story about two men the world forgot.”
Garfield was killed after only 200 days in office, and from the historical account presented in the series, it seems he might have been a very capable leader had he lived longer.
Historical Impact
- James A. Garfield was the second U.S. president to be assassinated.
- Charles Guiteau, the assassin, is less famous than other historical assassins.
- The story highlights issues like civil rights and political corruption.
- The miniseries offers a dramatic portrayal of Garfield's short presidency and its tragic end.
The series invites reflection on how Garfield’s presidency could have shaped the nation differently if his life hadn’t been cut short by violence.
Author’s Summary
This miniseries sheds light on a forgotten assassination, connecting a 19th-century tragedy to modern social and political issues with engaging storytelling.
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