Winner of the Lincoln Prize Acclaimed historian Doris Kearns Goodwin illuminates Abraham Lincoln’s political genius in this highly original work, as the one-term congressman and prairie lawyer rises from obscurity to prevail over three gifted rivals of national reputation to become president. On May 18, 1860, William H. Seward, Salmon P. Chase, Edward Bates, and Abraham Lincoln waited in their … Lincoln waited in their hometowns for the results from the Republican National Convention in Chicago. When Lincoln emerged as the victor, his rivals were dismayed and angry.
Throughout the turbulent 1850s, each had energetically sought the presidency as the conflict over slavery was leading inexorably to secession and civil war. That Lincoln succeeded, Goodwin demonstrates, was the result of a character that had been forged by experiences that raised him above his more privileged and accomplished rivals. He won because he possessed an extraordinary ability to put himself in the place of other men, to experience what they were feeling, to understand their motives and desires.
It was this capacity that enabled Lincoln as president to bring his disgruntled opponents together, create the most unusual cabinet in history, and marshal their talents to the task of preserving the Union and winning the war.
We view the long, horrifying struggle from the vantage of the White House as Lincoln copes with incompetent generals, hostile congressmen, and his raucous cabinet. He overcomes these obstacles by winning the respect of his former competitors, and in the case of Seward, finds a loyal and crucial friend to see him through.
This brilliant multiple biography is centered on Lincoln’s mastery of men and how it shaped the most significant presidency in the nation’s history.
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Read 9.26.2019
I am seeing Doris Kearns Goodwin next month at an Author Event in Pittsburgh and decided that, along with her new book that I will be reading in October, I should also [FINALLY] read this book. I have had it for several years and just have not had the time to invest in such a large and immense book. Turns out, you can do this in 26 …
Fascinating. Very well written
This book is an excellent read for anyone interested in the administration of Abraham Lincoln, his rivals, how he molded them into a cabinet that worked together. Goodwin gives an informative read on each man, how he thought he should be President and what they thought of Lincoln. It is well written and well researched.
Love anything by Doris Kearns Goodwin. This is a must-read for those who want to know about Abraham Lincoln ‘s rise to the presidency and the other power players he beat out. I highly recommend this book.
team of rivals is an excellent book
a wonderful insight into history!
Haven’t read, but husband loved it.
Doris Kearns Goodwin is the pre-eminent Lincoln scholar. This was a well-written and informative book without being stuffy. I enjoyed it very much.
Truly a must read for any history buff . Ironically the first republican president embraced all his detractors by making them his cabinet colleagues and built one of the greatest cabinets in American history at the most challenging time ever.
Great history
Wonderful insight into Lincoln as a politician and his unique approach to filling his cabinet with men who were at odds with him and with each other.
Outstanding story of leadership in turbulent times. I was sorry to get to the end and will probably reread it.
Not that good. A lot of information I would consider questionable. The author has lost track. Just my opinion.
Team of Rivals is an extraordinary book. When Lincoln dies, the book moves you to tears. The characters are very realistic and believable. For a nonfiction book, it is extremely well-written. The documentation is extensive. The author has been thorough in her research. Doris Kearns Goodwin helped with the characterization of Lincoln in the movie …
Excellent, solid. A touchstone for political leadership.
I’m a writer so I suppose my primary passion (it’s in my nature) is writing and all things writing. But after that my interests are numerous. Topping the list, though, is probably history and its close relative, politics. I love, most of all, the stories they engender, and so especially the great storytellers that bring those stories to life.
I …
Doris Kearns Goodwin what more need be said.
American History as it should be written. Only David McCullough is better.
I love to read biographies, and Doris Kearns Goodwin has written a wonderful, engaging, fact filled biography about Abraham Lincoln during the war years to his assassination. Written in an easy to read style that is chock full of information, it paints a picture of life in the White House in the 1860’s. I can’t recommend this book enough.