Cover of Team of Rivals

Team of Rivals

The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln

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Team of Rivals

By: Doris Kearns Goodwin
Narrated by: Suzanne Toren
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Summary
 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. Americas Elections & Political Process Historical Military Politics & Activism Politics & Government Presidents & Heads of State United States
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I thoroughly enjoyed Kearns Goodwin’s portrayal of Lincoln. Her original angle - painting one of America’s greatest leader by contrasting his life with those of the rivals he eventually enlisted into his cabinet - brings new life and nuances to a story told many times. The subtle politics of the time, the humane relationships underpinning them and the dramatic events leading up to - and making up - the Civil War all combine into a powerful portrayal of men and women struggling to chart a course through difficult times. The book would have been even stronger if the author had managed, at times, to shake her deep seated admiration for Lincoln to highlight some of his failures and shortcomings. As it stands, the book reads a bit too much like a hagiography.

Special congratulations to Suzanne Toren for her fantastic narration of the audiobook. Her performance - complete with tones and impersonation of each character - brings to life the gigantic personalities of Seward, Stanton, Chase, Bates Lincoln and many others without ever veering into cheap drama or drawing the reader away from the complex course of events. A true testament of skills which serves well a text that stands on the precarious balance between story and History.

Five stars : would recommend to anyone.

A masterful book served by an excellent delivery

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