The Tragic True Story Behind 'Death by Lightning'.

The article focuses on the Netflix series *Death by Lightning*, which dramatizes the assassination of President James Garfield, who was shot in July 1881 and died months later. The four-episode series explores Garfield's unexpected rise to the presidency, his brief term marked by early civil-service reform efforts, and the delusional motivations of Charles Guiteau, the man who assassinated him after being denied a government position. Garfield's presidency is noted for his prior achievements as a Union Army general, congressman, and advocate for civil rights, while Guiteau's actions are portrayed as stemming from political frustration and mental instability. The series aims to shed light on the historical context and ongoing relevance of political violence.