The President Is Ailing

Discover the shocking, yet true, stories of presidential illnesses and medical crises from the 18th to the 21st century.

The latest thrilling title in award-winning author Gail Jarrow’s Medical Fiascoes series for readers ages 10 and up.

George Washington almost died from an infection just a few weeks after becoming the first president. Two later presidents suddenly succumbed to disease within nine years of each other, shocking the country. In this riveting companion to her 2025 book, White House Secrets: Medical Lies and Cover-Ups, Gail Jarrow investigates life-threatening illnesses and severe injuries suffered by U.S. presidents from the 18th to 21st century. Because medical care was often ineffective and even harmful, several of them did not survive. As the fifth book in the Medical Fiascoes series, The President Is Ailing reveals little-known stories of chief executives whose medical conditions created national crises.