Monday, October 13, 2014

My Letter to The Atlantic

I wrote my Letter to the Atlantic Monthly in response to an article appearing in June 2006 which included a  supposedly complete list of US Presidents with "mental problems."  Although the list included Franklin Pierce and US Grant, both of whom displayed (to use their wishy-washy phrase) "alcohol dependence," they overlooked a President I include in my book. My Letter which appeared in the August 2006 edition of the magazine read as follows:

I’m surprised that the list of presidents identified as suffering from a “mental illness” makes no mention of Andrew Johnson’s alcoholism. During his tenure as military governor of Tennessee, observers suspected Johnson of absenting himself from his duties for days while on benders. After being elected as Abraham Lincoln’s second-term vice president, Johnson spent the night before the inauguration drinking with friends. Scheduled to make brief remarks to the Senate, he gulped down two huge brandies in front of witnesses, staggered into the Senate, and delivered a rambling and incoherent speech that mortified Lincoln.

James Graham
Author,
Vessels of Rage: The Secret History of Alcoholism
Lexington, Va.

 

Sunday, October 5, 2014

Michael Phelps going to rehab after DWI

"Olympic swimming legend Michael Phelps announced Sunday he’s checking into rehab following his recent DWI bust.

"Phelps, who has won 18 gold medals in the Olympic pool, was arrested for allegedly driving under the influence Tuesday in Maryland."