• Team of Rivals

  • The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
  • By: Doris Kearns Goodwin
  • Narrated by: Suzanne Toren
  • Length: 41 hrs and 32 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (10,765 ratings)

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Team of Rivals  By  cover art

Team of Rivals

By: Doris Kearns Goodwin
Narrated by: Suzanne Toren
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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)

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What listeners say about Team of Rivals

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  • Overall
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Insightful and memorable

By comparing and contrasting Lincoln with other leaders during the Civil War leaders the author achieved her goal of fresh insight into President Lincoln. Because the story is a political story instead of a mere biography, this book shows Lincoln in a way that no other historian has done.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Excellent

This story of the greatest US President and how he led a country through the civil war is essential reading for historians.

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Some interesting facts

Some interesting facts but a bit slobbering love fest. No one is that perfect
Too much adoration

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Simply fantastic

Ms. Goodwin writes so beautifully and is so well researched that it seems like she could have personally known each of the people she writes of, including Lincoln himself.
This book *needs* to be read by everyone, especially in the current climate where history is being twisted rather than taught. There lessons of the story of Lincoln are invaluable to any leader and to any citizen of the world, but especially the United States.

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Wonderful book

I loved the book because it describes how great Abraham Lincoln was as a person and President. He loved all people and was very forgiving. He was a caring person who was willing to sacrifice himself for the United Sates. He hated slavery but other historians misjudges him. This book does justice.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Longest Audiobook to date, but oh so riveting!

"Now, he belongs to the ages..." (said by Secretary of War Edwin Stanton moments after Abraham Lincoln's assassination and subsequent death)
Wow! I mean, wow! Not sure I have ever felt as proud of finishing a book as I am of this one. Took me almost 2 full months, but I can honestly say, I so enjoyed it!
Yes, it is dense. Yes, it is historical. Yes, it has lots of characters and events and letters and conversations. Yes, you have to have patience. But, it is absolutely fascinating and you get such a glimpse into the life and legacy of a great man and how he rallied rivals and personal political enemies even to his side and to serve their country as part of his cabinet.
Goodwin carefully crafts a masterpiece of non-fiction that reads a little more novel-like and I will certainly return to her work again for other presidential biographies or historical works.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Pure Genius!

I was surprised by how little I knew about Abraham Lincoln, his cabinet, and his generals. A must read!

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An amazing book. Loved this look into Lincoln!

Loved it. I found myself dreading the end if the last chapter, but also couldn't put this book away!

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Incredible book

This book shook me to my core and moved me to tears on several occasions. One of the most incredible leaders in Western history.

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Fascinating

A long and detailed account of Lincoln's rise, but the account is fascinating. On first hearing, the description of the Blair's relationship to the campaigns can be confusing, but a second hearing resolves this. This is a wonderful book, well worth the many hours required to hear it. By the end you feel you have an emotional connection to Lincoln, and the sense of loss when he is assassinated may surprise you.

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