Team of Rivals

The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln

By: Doris Kearns Goodwin

Narrated by: Suzanne Toren

Length: 41 hrs and 32 mins

Publisher's summary

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 was the result of a character that had been forged by life experiences that raised him above his more privileged and accomplished rivals. He won because hepossessed an extraordinary ability to put himself in the place of other men, to experience what they were feeling, to understand their motives and desires.

This capacity enabled President Lincoln to bring his disgruntled opponents together, create the most unusual cabinet in history, and marshal their talents to preserve the Union and win the war.

©2006 Doris Kearns Goodwin (P)2011 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"An elegant, incisive study....Goodwin has brilliantly described how Lincoln forged a team that preserved a nation and freed America from the curse of slavery." (James M. McPherson, The New York Times Book Review)

"Goodwin's narrative abilities...are on full display here, and she does an enthralling job of dramatizing...crucial moments in Lincoln's life....A portrait of Lincoln as a virtuosic politician and managerial genius." (Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times)

"Splendid, beautifully written....Goodwin has brilliantly woven scores of contemporary accounts...into a fluid narrative....This is the most richly detailed account of the Civil War presidency to appear in many years." (John Rhodehamel, Los Angeles Times)

Amazing Insight

This book is so detailed that you cannot walk away from it feeling that you don't know President Lincoln. He was a truly special human being and probably the only man who could have ensured or country survived the civil war.

Exceptional writing.

Sorry I arrived at the end.
Everyone should hear it. It is a comprehensive history of the Lincoln cabinet before and during Civil War, extremely well documented and readable like a novel.

Extraordinary Retelling of History

Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, by Doris Kearns Goodwin, and read by Suzanne Toren, retells the story of who was competing for the presidency in 1860, what were their personalities, their political prowess and personal resources for the job. Of course, Abraham Lincoln was the one to prevail. That history, of each man’s political genius and striving for the American presidency, is just the opening salvo of the story. The novel then goes on to tell how those competitors were brought together by the prevailing Lincoln into his cabinet. The book then goes on to tell how they teamed together to conduct the war and how that comradeship dissipated away, as the Union prevailed in the war.

We are enchantingly taken through the political machinations orchestrated by Lincoln to have each of these very talented persons apply their capacities for the benefit of the nation at war.

Did you notice I used the word “enchantingly” above? This is a story of raw politics but conducted by the masterful puppeteer Abraham Lincoln and it reads like a fairy tale. It is a unique story with larger than life characters, telling us of a moral course to be followed for a better way of life.

This is not a war story, but a story of the importance of this unique union known as the United States of America. This is not a compendium of facts, but a directive on how to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically. This is not a cliff hanger but a melodic tale of magnificent leadership. This is the true story of Abraham Lincoln.

There is a small negative to this book. Suzanne Toren doesn’t do anything wrong and she is a very good reader, but she read the text in too soft in tone and failed to deliver the strength, freight or tensions of Ms. Kerns' tale. Again, nothing wrong just less effective than this powerful story deserves.

Lincoln Comes to Life

What made the experience of listening to Team of Rivals the most enjoyable?

How does a rural woodsman become the greatest President in our history? By combining whit, intelligence (emotional and intellectual) and strength of his convictions to overcome all obstacles.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Lincoln, of course

What does Suzanne Toren bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Expectations that a woman's voice could bring to life the lives of these men was a total surprise. Her story telling is perfect.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, but not possible.

Any additional comments?

I have now read the book twice and listened to Suzanne Toren's reading of it four times (not the last).

Outstanding book. Outstanding narration

After watching the movie Lincoln, I bought the book Team of Rivals. I got about a 1/3 of the way through it but then got distracted. So glad to have finished it thanks to Audible. Great read.

Wonderful But ....

The initial concept of the team of rivals is initially powerful, but as the President grew into his role, the rivals fade into mere footnotes. The Bully Pulpit an No Ordinary Time are stronger.

What an inspiring story and a lot of great lessons

Would you listen to Team of Rivals again? Why?

Yes,
Easily one of the best books I've read about any U.S. political or historic figure. Truly a joy to read

What was one of the most memorable moments of Team of Rivals?

The beginning, middle, and end.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The point where his son found out that his dad had been shot. I cried for the poor boy and wondered why we were so cruel to each other as human beings.

Will stay with me

Inspiring book, one of the best about a historical figure. Well written and well read.

engaging, informative and inspirational

Doris Kearns Goodwin keeps her readers captive as she carefully lays out the story of a most incredible man. she excels at capturing the incredibly nuanced political savvy possessed by Lincoln so that we can understand it even if we will never individually be able to replicate it. While Susan Toren is an excellent reader overall, her stilted way of "acting"out quoted text, was uncomfortable to listen to and several times I was inclined fi see if another reading of the book was available do I could continue with it. I eventually just have in as I couldn't bear interrupting my listening.

Enjoyable throughout every chapter

Definitely a book not to be missed. Written in a very followable timeline of Abraham Lincoln I would Highly recommend this book