Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln

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Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln

by Doris Kearns Goodwin

4.39 · rating details · 12,428 ratings · 2,307 reviews

Acclaimed historian Doris Kearns Goodwin illuminates 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 hometown

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Paperback, 944 pages

Published October 25th 2005 by Simon & Schuster (first published October 2005)

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Feb 25, 2008

Ellis rated it

Shelves: biography, history, nonfiction, politics, pulitzer, war

I would have given this book more stars if I could have. I think I loved this book so much because Abraham Lincoln was such an absolutely amazing person. We are all taught that Lincoln was one of America's great presidents, and we know that he issued the Emancipation Proclamation, but he is so much greater of a man than I ever knew. Lincoln was super smart, wise, and incredibly compassionate and empathetic. While unsure of his own faith, Lincoln, through his own care for others, was so much ...moreI would have given this book more stars if I could have. I think I loved this book so much because Abraham Lincoln was such an absolutely amazing person. We are all taught that Lincoln was one of America's great presidents, and we know that he issued the Emancipation Proclamation, but he is so much greater of a man than I ever knew. Lincoln was super smart, wise, and incredibly compassionate and empathetic. While unsure of his own faith, Lincoln, through his own care for others, was so much more of a Christ-like person than the overtly pious self-righteous Salmon Chase (Lincoln's former rival and Secretary of the Treasury who, while disparaging of others characters, allowed himself to be uncritical of his own unethical actions [much like our current president - in my opinion]).

This book showed Mary Lincoln in a better light than I had expected. I had always had the impression that Mary was a real stinker, and while she definitely had her faults that must have been caused real difficulties for the president, she also had many good qualities. One thing that impressed me is how she personally gave service to soldiers while not allowing any of her kind actions to be made known to the Washington social elite. While Mary may not have always been easy to live with, I felt kind of bad for her since she suffered from such severe migraines and depression. Who's to say for sure, but this book left me with the impression that Mary probably really tried to be a good gal despite her mental/physical problems.

I did like the point of view of this book. Telling the history of Lincoln's political and personal life inclusive with the lives of his opponents-turned-collaborators not only gave a more complete view of the times and happenings of the mid 1800s, but it demonstrated in a few cases what Lincoln did so widely, humbly, and deftly; turn those against him into believers and supporters of his work.

One interesting thing that Lincoln did that I loved about him, and can't stand about George W. Bush, is that Lincoln, while not being dishonest, again unlike our current president, used much political slide-of-hand to get things done. I guess the biggest difference between Lincoln and some of our modern politicians is that while this technique is used today to cover up wrongdoings or cheating, Lincoln used it to help bring unity back to the nation and freedom to all people.
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Jan 10, 2009

Sue rated it

Put aside whatever you're reading now--yes, even those compelling vampire/romance books--and pick up this book. It's that good. Even though Goodwin is writing about Lincoln's cabinet, her work is eerily contemporary, given Obama's situation. Everyone but a handful of people thought Lincoln had risen too fast and was too untried to take charge of a desperate crises facing the country. Goodwin uses the main characters' diaries, letters, journals, and speeches to show how that opinion gradually cha...more

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Jul 17, 2011

Dana Stabenow rated it

I heard Goodwin talk about this book on NPR, and she sounded like she'd been an eyewitness to the events. Sold me the book.

On June 17th--I've been a hundred pages from the end for ten days. I don't want Abe to die.

July 7th -- Okay, I finally made myself finish. Abe's dead and I'm a wreck.

In this book Goodwin puts Abraham Lincoln in the the context of his peers, many of whom ran against him for the first Republican nomination for president (remember they'd just in...moreI heard Goodwin talk about this book on NPR, and she sounded like she'd been an eyewitness to the events. Sold me the book.

On June 17th--I've been a hundred pages from the end for ten days. I don't want Abe to die.

July 7th -- Okay, I finally made myself finish. Abe's dead and I'm a wreck.

In this book Goodwin puts Abraham Lincoln in the the context of his peers, many of whom ran against him for the first Republican nomination for president (remember they'd just invented that party) and one of whom, Stanton, had treated him with outright contempt in a law case years before. Seward accepted the job of Secretary of State thinking Lincoln would be his puppet, and Chase literally ran his second campaign for president out of the Department of the Treasury. Lincoln understood them all, tolerated them all, put them all to work for the nation that needed them so badly, and jollied, coaxed, cajoled and reasoned them all to victory. A friend remonstrated with him at taking all these vipers to his bosom and Lincoln replied that these were the best and most able men available and their country needed them, and that he wouldn't be doing his job if he didn't put them to work for it. There can't be anyone who has ever occupied the Oval Office more selfless than Abe.

This book is wonderfully written, accessible even to the most casual reader, full of humor and choler and kindness and vitriol, and wisdom. Goodwin has that ability known only to the best historians (David McCullough does, too) to pluck the exact quote necessary from the record to illuminate the scene she is describing, and make the transition from past to present seamless. Listen to Goodwin on Lincoln in his 1862 state of the union address (pp. 406-7):

...he closed his message with a graceful and irrefutable argument against the continuation of slavery in a democratic society, the very essence of which opened "the way to all," granted "hope to all," and advanced the "condition of all." In this "just, and generous, and prosperous system," he reasoned, "labor is prior to, and independent of, capital." Then, reflecting upon the vicissitudes of his own experience, Lincoln added: "The prudent, penniless beginner in the world, labors for wages awhile, saves a surplus with which to buy tools or land for himself; then labors on his own account another while, and at length hires another new beginner to help him." Clearly this upward mobility, the possibility of self-realization so central to the idea of America, was closed to the slave unless and until he became a free man.

The American Dream, articulated, in words guaranteed to be understood by everyone. You close this book knowing not just about these people, you actually feel like you know them, especially Abe.

Impossible, after reading this book, not to wonder what our nation would look like had Lincoln survived his second term. Impossible not to grieve his loss.

It is my habit when reading histories to read the author's prologue last. The author always gives too much away in a summing up of what is to come. I recommend it strongly in this case, especially if you're old enough to have forgotten most of the Civil War section in American History 341. Let the events unfold in real time for you. And keep a box of Kleenex nearby when you get to the end.(less)

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Jun 01, 2008

Sydney rated it

Recommended to Sydney by: Book review

Biographies aren't always boring tomes. Doris Kearns Goodwin does a magnificent job of detailing how Abraham Lincoln, a lesser known and ill-positioned candidate captures the Republican party's nomination, goes on to get elected President, and leads America through the tumult of the Civil War.

While most of us know Lincoln as "honest Abe" and the President who emancipated slaves, Kearns-Goodwin offers a portrait of a man who took many of the men who'd he'd beaten out as th...more

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Jun 10, 2008

Carol rated it

Recommended to Carol by: Patty Johnson

Team of Rivals was a big undertaking for me at over 750 pages. What a treasure of a book. I had the feeling that you get with a good piece of fiction where you hate for the book to end. I felt like I was there, that I knew Lincoln. What a marvelous man, a moral man, a patient man. There were lessons between the covers of this book I would feel comfortable including in a talk in church. I have read other books about Lincoln and other books about the civil war, but to see Lincoln through the eyes ...more

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Jan 17, 2009

Samantha rated it

Don't get me wrong. This is a good book, but it's not as good as I thought it would be or had heard it would be. I expected more from Doris Kearns Goodwin. It didn't go into the political genius as much as I wanted. It details the four men in Lincoln's cabinet that play a major role. It's more about them and their interactions than it is about Lincoln's political moves. There is a lot of interesting descriptions of the generals, but I got tired of the McClennan drama being detailed. I definitely...more

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May 31, 2008

Kelly rated it

Shelves: biography

An elegantly crafted epic that is as gripping of a read as a novel: history can be eminently entertaining. I heard Goodwin interviewed on Radio West and she describes researching this book for 10 years. She utilizes a richness of primary sources to give the reader the opportunity to know well not just Lincoln but the many who surrounded him.

I dreaded reaching the last pages of this book--there was only one way for it to end. The death of Lincoln, although foreshadowed, comes as ab...more

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Jan 30, 2009

Barbara rated it

Shelves: non-fiction

I read this book for my history book club. When we chose it last year, we had no idea how timely our choice would be. We read it during the 2008 election and I saw the author interviewed on several TV news programs. This turned out to be Barack Obama's handbook.

I have always held Abraham Lincoln in high esteem, and this book did nothing to destroy that. In fact, more than ever I believe him to have been "God sent." If this is Pres. Obama's handbook, I truly hope he fol...more

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Mar 04, 2011

Cindy rated it

Recommended to Cindy by: Dad

Shelves: biography, non-fiction, history, female-authors, own, does-my-book-look-big-in-this, 2011-best-reads

(I thought it would make sense to start this while I'm still reading Gone With the Wind.)

This isn't a straight-up biography of Lincoln. And it's certainly not a history of the Civil War. Instead it's a portrait of Lincoln, defined by the diverse men he surrounded himself with on his Cabinet. In particular, Goodwin focuses on the 4 major contenders in the Republican national convention: Lincoln, Seward, Chase and Bates. The better part of the book takes place leading up to Lincoln's 1...more(I thought it would make sense to start this while I'm still reading Gone With the Wind.)

This isn't a straight-up biography of Lincoln. And it's certainly not a history of the Civil War. Instead it's a portrait of Lincoln, defined by the diverse men he surrounded himself with on his Cabinet. In particular, Goodwin focuses on the 4 major contenders in the Republican national convention: Lincoln, Seward, Chase and Bates. The better part of the book takes place leading up to Lincoln's 1860 election to his death in 1865.

It's a fascinating, fabulous look at the politics behind the man. I'll be honest: politics - the rhetoric, the deal-making, the personal wrangling - bores me to tears. In addition, the details and minutia of war generally bores me silly. (I'm looking at you War & Peace!) Although quite necessarily, this book is mostly about these two things, politics and the U.S. Civil War, I was enthralled. Never before had details of when, where and how to make decisions seemed to be more vital to elucidate the nature of a man.

And it's really hard not to fall in love with Lincoln. The focus of the book, that Lincoln chose to surround himself with opposing personal advisers in Washington and Generals on the battlefield, not only shows his self-assured character to deal with warring factions but also shows his wont and need to ponder all sides of an argument before reaching a decision. What struck me the most about Lincoln, however, is his ability to let criticisms roll off his back, maintain his composure, and disarm people with a quick joke or story. If only I could have met Lincoln to hear some of these retorts in person!

I should mention that Goodwin doesn't shy away from Lincoln's mistakes or lapses in judgment. Particularly surprising was his gathering of free black leaders from the North at the White House to propose a plan of resettling all blacks residing in the U.S. to a new settlement somewhere in Central or South America. Luckily that proposal didn't go much further than that meeting. He occasionally let the temper get the best of him, but was quick to mend the broken fences.

I also appreciated Goodwin's inclusion of the women behind and beside Lincoln and his leaders. She presents quite a balanced portrait of these remarkable and distinguished women. It's quite clear that many of the men relied on their wives and daughters for council at work and with personal relationship. Mary Todd Lincoln was something else. Despite her wild mood swings, Lincoln by all accounts remained calm and kind to her. It's a pretty fascinating relationship, and not one I can understand or relate to.

After finishing the book, my first reaction is to immediately pick up other Lincoln books. (By the way, the page count is a bit deceiving - in the paperback edition, there's 'only' 757 pages of text. The rest are index and extensive bibliography.) The natural one to go to would be John Nicolay and John Hay's Abraham Lincoln: A Biography, but it's a 7 volume work! There are many condensed copies out there. Hay and Nicolay were Lincoln's personal secretaries/assistants who slept in the White House, and were quite intimate with Lincoln. The other book I'm dying to get to - because it's subject isn't really covered in Team of Rivals is Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer. Likewise, I'm eager to read Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass. And I think Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era would round out my Civil War education nicely. Feel free to throw any other suggestions my way!(less)

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May 10, 2011

Matt rated it

As a history lover, I'm a bit of a snob. While everyone is rushing to purchase the newest warm-milk entry from David McCullough, I make a show of purchasing turgid, poorly edited treatises put out by university presses about some guy who did something long ago that doesn't really matter anymore. Of course, as every snob eventually learns, being snobbish is like slamming a hammer down on your thumb: you only hurt yourself; and everyone thinks you're an idiot.

When it was published, Te...more

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Jan 24, 2010

Arminius rated it

Shelves: presidents

Team of Rivals

Team of Rivals refers to Abraham Lincoln’s choice of prior adversaries as his presidential cabinet. The first was the most famous Republican candidate for the 1860 presidential race. This was William Seward, the Governor of New York. Seward was a very bright, good story teller and ardently opposed to slavery. He was, in all likelihood, too liberal to get the Republican nomination. The Republican Party was made up of former Whig party, Know-Nothing party and anti-sl...moreTeam of Rivals

Team of Rivals refers to Abraham Lincoln’s choice of prior adversaries as his presidential cabinet. The first was the most famous Republican candidate for the 1860 presidential race. This was William Seward, the Governor of New York. Seward was a very bright, good story teller and ardently opposed to slavery. He was, in all likelihood, too liberal to get the Republican nomination. The Republican Party was made up of former Whig party, Know-Nothing party and anti-slavery democrats. The know nothings were against immigration. This hurt Seward because he was very pro-immigration.

The second rival is former Ohio Senator and Governor Chase. He made a lot of enemies in Ohio with a shady political deal to obtain a Senate seat. The third was Bates. Bates was a Missouri Judge. One of the reasons that Lincoln defeated these three is because he was a relatively unknown former congressman and lawyer. Lincoln was however a very hard working, great debater, great speech giver and writer as well as a magnificent story teller. He also had a hard dedicated team which worked tirelessly to ensure Lincoln’s victory. They were so dedicated because Lincoln was such a nice fellow as well as great story teller.

When Lincoln wins the nomination the South begin secession talks and quickly secedes. One of Lincoln’s most important decisions was to pick all of his former rivals for top cabinet positions. Seward was picked for Secretary of State, Chase for Treasury and Bates for Attorney General. He did this with full knowledge that each rival considered himself more qualified than him to be president. He also knew that there would be internal strife amongst such big personalities.

When confederate forces struck Fort Sumter the Civil War began. This is where Lincoln makes his only major mistake. The mistake was picking George McClellan to head the Union Army and his delay in replacing him. McClellan’s delays in engaging confederate forces are well documented and may very well have prevented a quick Union victory.

Lincoln’s wife Mary is discussed a lot in this book as is Treasury Secretary Chase’s daughter Kate. Mary was a very driven woman who loved the big fancy balls that she would host. She enjoyed flirting with men and Abe never minded. However after the death of their son she fell into deep depression. When she finally pulled herself out she devoted herself to secretly caring for wounded soldiers in the hospital. Kate Chase was known as the prettiest lady in Washington and she would host elaborate balls on behalf of her father. She would marry the wealthy William Sprague. Although they seemed like the all American couple she had a miserable married life which ended in divorce.

Kate’s father however was actively pursuing the Republican nomination for the presidency in 1864 while being the acting Treasury Secretary. He did a stellar job financing the war and Lincoln appreciated that. So after confronting him without malice he offered him the recent Supreme Court justice position vacated by Judge Roger Taney.

Lincoln was often criticized by the anti-slavery radicals as being overly cautious but history tells us that Lincoln seemed to understand the mood of the country and make decisions based on that. For example, the Emancipation Proclamation was not enacted until he felt that it would be acceptable in the Border States.

When the war ends everything looked rosy in a way. We had a great President who planned a lenient approach to Southern reintegration while guaranteeing colored equality.
That was stymied when John Wilkes Booth pulled the trigger in Ford’s Theater.

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Dec 21, 2008

MacK rated it

· review of another edition

I, like many young people, was often frustrated by history class. No matter what how hard I worked, or how much I studied we always seemed to run out of time to cover the really interesting parts of history, and I always felt short changed.

Few time periods frustrated me as much as the Civil War. We would spend weeks going over Manasses, and Shiloh and Sherman's march and I invariably felt that something was missing. Was it really just General v.s. General? What was Lincoln doing that m...moreI, like many young people, was often frustrated by history class. No matter what how hard I worked, or how much I studied we always seemed to run out of time to cover the really interesting parts of history, and I always felt short changed.

Few time periods frustrated me as much as the Civil War. We would spend weeks going over Manasses, and Shiloh and Sherman's march and I invariably felt that something was missing. Was it really just General v.s. General? What was Lincoln doing that made him so great? And when it all ended with Lee's sudden surrender at Appomatox, and Lincoln's assassination in the next paragraph, I kept looking around for more details. But I could never find any.

For anyone like me, anyone who wishes they could have figured out the complexities of the great struggle for America's soul, anyone who seeks advice from the past to inform their lives for today and tomorrow there is Team of Rivals.

Kearns Goodwin has created a compelling and comprehensive portrayal of the men who led America through the crucible of the Civil War, she turns the president from the static caricature of "Honest Abe" with the stove pipe hat and chinstrap beard into a dynamic and endearing hero. His wit and charm flow from first hand sources and innumerable anecdotes. His devotion to his wife and young sons, his humor, his faith, all of it makes Lincoln so much more accessible.

But even more engaging than the accounts of the commander in chief are the equally dynamic supporting characters who populate Lincoln's life and times. From his family and the frantic Mary Todd to the armed services and the craven General McClellan, from the titular Team of Rivals [including the corrupt, the pure, the powerful and the power-hungry] to society celebrities the reader is immersed in another America, at once novel and yet familiar.

Any work of this scope, must, by necessity, be long. Very long. [Long enough to preclude me from reading anything else for 5 months] So, while the depth of research is remarkably engaging, it's also remarkable dense. True scholars won't have a problem with it, those of us who seek more knowledge to enhance our understanding, will. Still, any opportunity to encounter and understand a truly great president, a man whose temperament, acumen and eloquence were the perfectly prescribed tonic for a nation in turmoil, is worth an occasionally disconcerting density. It's engrossing, engaging and utterly remarkable, even over five months.(less)

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May 27, 2009

Sarah rated it

Shelves: 2009

I sort of knew how this book was going to end (spoiler alert!), but I was still sad when Lincoln died. I picked it up because of all of the Obama hype, and I now understand why a president would want to emulate Lincoln. But it's one thing to say, this is the kind of man I want to be, and another, to not learn from his mistakes. Some of Lincoln's cabinet picks (and former rivals) worked out well -- Edwin Stanton and William Seward, for example. But things didn't work out so well with Salmon P...more

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Feb 21, 2009

Mahlon rated it

· review of another edition

Recommends it for: Everyone

Recommended to Mahlon by: Lincoln coverage on TV

Most readers would question the need for another Lincoln Biography at this point. After 200 years and numerous Biographies, is there anything new to learn about the man? In Team of Rivals, Doris Kearns Goodwin answers that question with a resounding yes. Her focus is mainly on Lincoln as political operator. She explores this theme by looking at Lincoln through the eyes of his three greatest political rivals(and later cabinet members) William Seward, Salmon Chase, and Edward Bates. Goodwin begins...moreMost readers would question the need for another Lincoln Biography at this point. After 200 years and numerous Biographies, is there anything new to learn about the man? In Team of Rivals, Doris Kearns Goodwin answers that question with a resounding yes. Her focus is mainly on Lincoln as political operator. She explores this theme by looking at Lincoln through the eyes of his three greatest political rivals(and later cabinet members) William Seward, Salmon Chase, and Edward Bates. Goodwin begins her narrative at the 1860 Republican convention where all 4 were vying for the nomination. Lincoln was thought to be a long shot, but thanks to some adroit maneuvering on the part of his management team, he managed to position himself as every delegation's second choice, and managed to secure the nomination as a compromise candidate. The rest of the book focuses on the way in which Lincoln managed the Civil War, and the way in which various cabinet members influenced policy, and helped shape his evolving view of slavery. Lincoln was also a master at massaging his team's ego's when political in-fighting threatened to break the cabinet apart. He also had an incredible capacity for forgiveness. For example, when Chase crossed him one too many times, he finally accepts his resignation as head of the treasury, only to later appoint him Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Can you imagine a President giving a major rival a post with a lifetime appointment today?!

I was captivated by the portrait of William Seward, sadly he is remembered today only for his purchase of Alaska, much derided at the time as "Seward's Folly" I had no idea he was one of the leading political figures of his generation.

A complex portrait of Lincoln emerges from Team of Rivals, one that forever shatters the myth that he was a blundering backwoods political neophyte who could be easily influenced.

Fair warning: This book requires a significant investment of time but you'll be well rewarded. It took me almost a month reading a chapter a day. It ended up being my #2 book of 2005, and my #4 book of the decade.(less)

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Apr 01, 2008

Dustin Allison rated it

Ever since going to Officer Canidate School in Alabama, I've had a profound desire to learn more about the Civil War, and Abraham Lincoln in particular. Having grown up in the West, I was shocked by all the animosity exihibited towards Lincoln by my Southern neighbors. This book, more than any other I've read so far, brings Lincoln's genius and character to life in such a way that arguments against him look mostly foolish.

Politicians are often disparaged for their self-serving am...more

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May 09, 2008

Chuck rated it

Team of Rivals is a first-rate and captivating narrative, which portrays Lincoln's humanity, warts and all. Although focusing on the Civil War period, this book does not provide any extensive battlefield accounts or descriptions of military strategy, but those accounts are available elsewhere. Rather, in this work the author shows how a relatively inexperienced "rail-splitter" Lincoln gradually attained the stature of a beloved and enormously impressive president. He did not start o...more

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Sep 08, 2007

Rae rated it

Recommends it for: Everyone

This is one of the best historical non-fiction books I've ever read. Doris Kearns Goodwin, who won the Pulitzer, tells the story of perhaps the most unlikely Presidential cabinet ever assembled: that of Abraham Lincoln. He not only brought his own political rivals into the Cabinet, he brought men who would never have willingly worked together (or even been on the same planet) under any other conditions but for the national emergency of the Civil War. I think the best thing for me in this work is...more

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Apr 29, 2008

Michelle rated it

Shelves: politics-history, autobiography-biographies, my-favorite-books

I've long admired Abraham Lincoln, but this book increased that admiration by leaps and bounds.

It's almost ridiculous how politically adept Lincoln was - especially given his childhood, self taught, etc. It made me (the book) long for another president like Lincoln. He picked the men of his cabinet by their merits and by their spheres of influence. He had people from differing parties and people who flat out hated him. He was unswerving when he made up his mind - and 9 times ou...more

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Apr 06, 2008

Bill rated it

Recommends it for: every man-jack of you

I suspect I am now in love with Lincoln.

The book convincingly places him in the context of his peers and rivals for the 1860 Republican presidential nomination, then shows how he cannily and selflessly coaxed masterful performances out of each of these men as cabinet members during the civil war.

Once Goodwin gets to Lincoln's presidency, the book becomes more disciplined, treating major battles and even Booth's assassination conspiracy as peripheral. Rather, she focu...more

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Nov 22, 2008

Judy rated it

I first read this book the year of its publication, but given the attention that Barack Obama has given it, I decided to reread it. Still loved it. There are so many interpretations of Lincoln that it seems impossible that another interpretation could be fitted on the shelves, but Goodwin's view of Lincoln is revealing. Wrestling the Republican nomination for President from candidates who were more qualified than he, Lincoln went on to include many of his political rivals in his Cabinet. Thi...more

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Aug 21, 2008

Meg rated it

Recommends it for: the politically inclined

Probably only a three star for most people--but I love Lincoln so much that it got bumped up. There are innumerable Abe books out there, but I recommend this one to those of you with an interest in politics. It's amazing how Lincoln treated his enemies. Most would destroy them politically. HE PUT THEM IN HIS CABINET!! Gotta love a man with that much respect for intelligence that happens to disagree with his own.

If you haven't read anything about Lincoln before, choose a book N...more

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Jan 16, 2009

Malachi rated it

A fantastic and long read. This book has everything to wanted to know about the rise and struggles Abraham Lincoln went through in his presidency. It mainly focuses on him and his cabinet that was filled with political enemies and how they and him helped steer the country during the civil war. The author especially points out the relationship between him and his secretary of state Seward. The book focuses on how Lincoln was forced to make several difficult choices while he was president and how ...more

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Jan 03, 2012

Chris rated it

This was a really solid book about the inner workings of Lincoln's cabinet. The first half is the build up to Lincoln's nomination as the Republican candidate in 1860, while the second half follows his administration throughout the tumultuous Civil War (1861-65). While at times the author, I felt, went into too much detail about the lifestyles of the Lincoln family and the cabinet member's families during the war (e.g. what parties they threw, who they mingled with, where they vacationed), ove...more

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Aug 01, 2011

Bridget rated it

If you decide to read ANY book this year, make it this one. It is a fascinating account of the life of Lincoln and the men of his Cabinet that provides incredible insight into the way that Lincoln navigated the many challenges that he faced as President. "Team of Rivals" is filled with great stories and depictions of the great figures of the time from their own words and the accounts of those who interacted with them - from Lincoln's Secretary, John Hay, who remarked that he "wo...moreIf you decide to read ANY book this year, make it this one. It is a fascinating account of the life of Lincoln and the men of his Cabinet that provides incredible insight into the way that Lincoln navigated the many challenges that he faced as President. "Team of Rivals" is filled with great stories and depictions of the great figures of the time from their own words and the accounts of those who interacted with them - from Lincoln's Secretary, John Hay, who remarked that he "would rather make a tour of a small-pox hospital" than be forced to ask Secretary of War Stanton a favor, to Navy Secretary Welles' account of Lincoln's joy at hearing about the fall of Vicksburg, to Lincoln's remarks about the local political demands of the time for geographical balance in the Cabinet - "I suppose if the twelve Apostles were to be chosen nowadays the shrieks of locality would have to be heeded." It took me a while to get through it, since it's 749 pages long, but don't let its length deter you. Even dipping into it from time to time will be rewarding, as you are likely familiar with the broad arc of the narrative. Yet I will point out that even so, the author somehow manages to make the account feel suspenseful.

I was really struck by how Lincoln at the start of his political career fretted that his generation would have no opportunity for greatness, in the way that the men and women of the revolution did. We do not face the challenges he did then, and most of us will never hold power in the way that he did, but I think that reading of the way that Lincoln lived his life may provide inspiration for all today who seek to be a part of efforts to remake our country into an even greater place, more full of opportunity for people of all backgrounds. He was practical, but held his ground on what he believed to be right; he was politically savvy, but time and time again forgave others, following his credo that "no man resolved to make the most of himself can spare time for personal contention." After reading this narrative, which allows me now to know in much greater detail all that Lincoln did, I hold him in even higher esteem than I did previously.(less)

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Jul 27, 2011

Craig rated it

Shelves: biographies

The 1860 Republican presidential primary race pitted three prominent candidates against one unlikely "rail-splitter", Abraham Lincoln, from Illinois. The leading contenders were William Seward, distinguished Senator from New, the front-runner, followed by Governor Salmon Chase of Ohio, and Judge Edward Bate of St. Louis Missouri. As the world has come to know, Abraham Lincoln won the nomination and went on to become President of the United States. Team of Rivals depicts events from...moreThe 1860 Republican presidential primary race pitted three prominent candidates against one unlikely "rail-splitter", Abraham Lincoln, from Illinois. The leading contenders were William Seward, distinguished Senator from New, the front-runner, followed by Governor Salmon Chase of Ohio, and Judge Edward Bate of St. Louis Missouri. As the world has come to know, Abraham Lincoln won the nomination and went on to become President of the United States. Team of Rivals depicts events from the early years of the four candidate, showing how each, through his efforts rose to prominence. The theme of the book details how, upon becoming President, Lincoln skillfully brought his three rivals, together with men from diverse paths, into his cabinet. Each man was brilliant in his own way and was well suited to the cabinet position he filled. Each had powerful personality and espoused diverse views on how the nation should be governed. It was truly a "Team of Rivals". Lincoln, realizing each man's brilliance and capacities, carefully molded together an administration which was capable of steering the nation through the perilous times ahead. Scarcely had Lincoln been inaugurated when the South fired on Fort Sumpter and the Civil War began. Lincoln was the man for the time, and his abilities came to the fore: (1) He was highly intellectual and forward thinking; (2) He had tremendous political savvy and knew how to read men and how to tap into the sentiments of the people; (3) He had great patience and knew to await the right time for implementation of a new idea or program. He was not rash. His political sense of timing was uncanny; (4) Though overwhelmed with work and the savagery of the war, he knew how to relax at the theater and to engage others in conversation with storytelling and quoting Shakespeare and the humorists of the day; (5) Notwithstanding all of these qualities, perhaps his greatest attribute was his magnanimity; he simply did not hold grudges against others who had maligned or excoriated him. Often, he would appoint such persons to a prominent position where there talents could be best utilized. He had a tremendous ability to forgive and forget. At his death, Lincoln's Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton, remarked, "Now he belongs to the ages." The book was well researched and written. It is a must read.(less)

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Apr 19, 2010

Ed rated it

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Recommends it for: History, Civil war, Lincoln fans

Shelves: history, reviewed, non-fiction

A superb rendering of an aspect of Abraham Lincoln that I had not spent much time considering before.

Kearns-Goodwin is not only unabashedly admiring of Lincoln's political intelligence but also of his magnanimity. I've often thought of how things might have been different for the U.S. if Lincoln had lived.

Was Lincoln perfect? Of course not. He had bouts of depression. He made bad decisions, some of which are covered here. He was a politician after all and highly compe...more

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Dec 04, 2008

Sarah rated it

Recommends it for: History & Political Buffs

Shelves: favorites, non-fiction

I completely geeked out over this book. It's a bit slow-going at first, because it covers four families at once (and sometimes the information about Lincoln's rivals is more detailed, simply because their family members kept more diaries) but after becoming obsessed with all things political this year, I was delighted to lose myself in a past election and administration, and now I can't get enough of the time period.

Lincoln had to sneak into the White House during the night because t...more

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Mar 29, 2009

Jules rated it

It took me a little while to get into this, but once I did, I was hooked. A dense and fascinating read, filled with facts and tidbits about Lincoln's life as well as the lives of the team of rivals that he built to run the country during one of the most challenging times in its history.

Goodwin's insight into the President and his cabinet's decision-making process during the tumult of the Civil War is gripping. I was amazed and inspired by Lincoln's magnanimity, his openness to opposi...more

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Sep 19, 2007

Marti Mattox is currently reading it

my father just sent me this book saying in a thick slow southern lilt, "what an incredibly inspirational and riveting book, you absolutely must read this". i have a goal this year to make my way through pulitzer prize winning authors, so doris goodwin has been added to the list. it is an unfortunately heavy book to hold when attempting to snuggle up with a dog and two cats.
it seems that reading such a large hardback historical book dictates that i sit in a straight backed ch...moremy father just sent me this book saying in a thick slow southern lilt, "what an incredibly inspirational and riveting book, you absolutely must read this". i have a goal this year to make my way through pulitzer prize winning authors, so doris goodwin has been added to the list. it is an unfortunately heavy book to hold when attempting to snuggle up with a dog and two cats.
it seems that reading such a large hardback historical book dictates that i sit in a straight backed chair, which of course is covered in an impossibly fine fabric, as an early autumn fire crackles at my back, the waving flames sending glances of light across the seemingly ancient wooden walls of the study. a snifter of port on a table near my elbow catches the light and throws a lavender blush onto the back of my bone white hand which hovers on the first page of the text as delicatly as a tiny bird pirching on a green summer sapling. at my feet a thinish faced hunting dog breathes slowly in sleep, its feet occasionally move in dream induced spasms that speak of wet grass, rabbits, crisp morning air and the blood pumping thrill of a chase.
instead, i turn the page of this, christ what an incredibly heavy book, and snag the top of the page with a ragged nail because last night, frustrated by the sudden disapperance of my nailclippers i finally bit the claw like daggers to a manageable length... god knows where my visiting father left the clippers, was it outside when he was soaking his feet in that roasting pan? i shift the weighty text and try not to get too many cracker crumbs in the bed, having once again completly blown the whole "i will not eat carbs" thing. the only answer seems to be; never have people over to visit or soak the left over food in dishwashing detergent when they leave (throw it outside, you might suggest, but then one of the many adolescent coyotes that skulk around my neighborhood at dusk might actually catch and eat my houdini like cat). to keep the crackers and bread at bay i might just never leave the house, my only choices then would be raw carrots, limp celery, asian condiments of every variety, or cooking some kind of grain which would make the house 115 degrees. better yet, i might get inspired to actually do that syrup pepper lemon fast thing, that supposedly gives you the energy of a child, instead of buying blueberries and pancake mix on which to pour shiny rivers of said delicious maple syrup. my 2 shedding long haired cats do not like sharing the bed with such a unweildy "Rival" so they make more little tears to my only pair of expensive sheets and knock the seemingly masonry encrusted flap of the book into my nose with their hips. this brings to my attention that frankie has a lovely wad of shit and kitty litter embedded into the base of her long white tail. my dingo looking mutt tracks muddy feet onto my wrinkled but previously white comforter. she turns round and around, bunching the sheet into a rosetta at my feet, as she looks for the softest, coolest spot. i'm certain that she secretly shares my hope for this heat breaks so that she, Beatrice - can once and for all shake her unrelenting summer fleas. i - non lily white handed smelling faintly of lavender and fresh yeast rolls - reader of this girthy book, long to remove the packing taped air conditioning vent from the sliding glass door and roll the unit into the corner of the disorganized basement...how long has all that broken glass been on the basement floor? time to lift the book again, the basement will have to wait.(less)

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Dec 25, 2008

Tony added it

I read this book about a year ago. Since I love history, it was an easy read for me. It was a little frustrating having to read the detailed history of each rival but, in the end, it was helpful in understanding how Lincoln worked with each of them. I thought the book was well written and I would recommend it not only for it's insight into history but because it was an enjoyable read.

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About Doris Kearns Goodwin

Also credited as "Doris Kearns" on the first editions of Lyndon Johnson and the American Dream.

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“Washington was a typical American. Napoleon was a typical Frenchman, but Lincoln was a humanitarian as broad as the world. He was bigger than his country - bigger than all the Presidents together.

We are still too near to his greatness,' (Leo) Tolstoy (in 1908) concluded, 'but after a few centuries more our posterity will find him considerably bigger than we do. His genius is still too strong and powerful for the common understanding, just as the sun is too hot when its light beams directly on us.' (748)” — 6 people liked it

“(from John Hay's diary) “The President never appeared to better advantage in the world,” Hay proudly noted in his diary. “Though He knows how immense is the danger to himself from the unreasoning anger of that committee, he never cringed to them for an instant. He stood where he thought he was right and crushed them with his candid logic.” — 3 people liked it

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