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.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs