Team of Rivals
One of the most influential books of the past fifty years, Team of Rivals is Pulitzer Prize–winning author and esteemed presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin’s modern classic about the political genius of Abraham Lincoln, his unlikely presidency, and his cabinet of former political foes.
Winner of the prestigious Lincoln Prize and the inspiration for the Oscar Award winning–film Lincoln, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, directed by Steven Spielberg, and written by Tony Kushner.
On May 18, 1860, William H. Seward, Salmon P. Chase, Edward Bates, and Abraham 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.
Reviews
Very inspiring
By JJ19491105
The book was wonderful! I learned so much history that I had not known. It is written in a style that makes the facts come alive.
By Bobbychris
Wow, the best book ever written about our greatest president. Goodwin was able to reveal the real Lincoln through the eyes of his cabinet and many others. I feel I now know Mr. Lincoln on a personal level. It is time for a visit to Springfield to again pay my respects to this great man and president.
By waward1
What an excellent and well researched account of the life of this famous man. I found the pace of the book very pleasing and the content even more so. Days would pass without reading, yet I could easily recall my place in Lincoln's life. Congratulations to you, Doris Kearns Goodwin, on such a masterpiece....
By Dandrew71262
I am very disappointed with this book. I was impressed with the movie Licoln, but the presentation of this book is just plain awful. There is no plot, just names, dates, and facts. I would not recommend this book to anyone.
By pc7935747