Team of Rivals

The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln

By: Doris Kearns Goodwin

Narrated by: Doris Kearns Goodwin (introduction), Richard Thomas

Length: 9 hrs and 28 mins

Publisher's summary

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 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.

Listen to an interview with Doris Kearns Goodwin on The Bob Edwards Show.

©2005 Blithedale Productions, Inc. (P)2005 Simon and Schuster Inc. All rights reserved.

Critic reviews

• 2006 Quill Award Nominee
• National Book Critics Circle Award Finalist, Biography or Autobiography, 2005

"The knowledge gained here about these three significant figures who well attended Lincoln gain for the reader an even keener appreciation of the rare individual that he was." (Publishers Weekly)
"An elegant, incisive study of Lincoln and leading members of his cabinet that will appeal to experts as well as to those whose knowledge of Lincoln is an amalgam of high-school history and popular mythology." (The New York Times)

A current example of leadership. .

I have heard about this book for several years and just got the chance to read it. Amazing, tangible, real life examples from Lincoln on how to lead in the face of adversity. Loved it.

excellent reading

This was an excellent reading of an excellent book. I only regret that the book is abridged. It deserves to be recorded in its entirety.

Important, revealing

Ms. Goodwin explores the actual politics of the politician Mr. Lincoln, his presidency and what made him so unique in not surrounding himself with yes-men. This also caused a constitutional crisis because it was obvious that there was discord within the cabinet, which the congress tried to use to paralyze the executive. In the resolution of that crisis, an important threat to the US system was averted.

AMAZING

What an amazing piece of literary history. Well narrated, written and researched. The only con was the book ended.

Great man

I had little knowledge of Lincoln except the little I remembered from school, and this book really filled that out nicely. Also, I learned about some other important men in our history. The most important lesson from this book is how incredibly right Lincoln was for this time in history; and how much we lost through his death. His focus on integrity and fairness should be an example for all modern leaders.

Wow, what an amazing story!

I was both inspired and moved by the inimitable story of Abraham Lincoln. He truly was a man who "belongs to the ages." This book reveals the inner workings of Lincoln's powerful mind and compassionate heart in captivating detail. Excellently written and compellingly performed, I'd highly recommend it.

Listen to this book!

This book is amazing. I loved its depth and pace. I felt like I was there in Lincolns time and presence. The narration was well done and I was amazed at how little I new about Lincoln. At the end of this listening I felt as if I had been robbed by my educators. They never expressed or discussed the greatness that was Lincoln.

High esteem

Should have done the unabridged version. But this was a very moving story. A story about a great man to be remembered. Who's principal goal was to be remembered in high esteem.

The perfect audiobook marriage

Doris Kearns Goodwin is one of my favorite writers and Richard Thomas, the original John Boy, come together to bring to life President Lincoln and those of his Rivals. The perspective of this Biography and Historical time is a great holistic approach. The well developed histories gives the reader a fresh outlook on what they may have read from other texts or what was taught in school.
Richard Thomas gives a solid performance. His ability to bring nuanced and feeling to the narration engages the listener and helps them to identify with the various historical figures.

wanted more about Lincoln

Would you consider the audio edition of Team of Rivals to be better than the print version?

A little about Lincoln a lot about his team. it was a bit boring for me but I have to finish it.