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)

a master piece

a litle hard to follow but eventually developes into a vivid and rich image of this great man.

A man for the ages

any present day politician who attempts to draw a comparison to Lincoln, regardless of their political party, is a fraud.

Excellent!

What an amazing history of and tribute to Abraham Lincoln! The reader is animated and articulate. I highly recommend it.

Outstanding in every way!

The history is thoroughly reseached. The writing is compelling. And the reading performance was excellent. Money and time was well invested in listening to this book.

Complete Experience

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

I tried to read it initially, but it was to dense for me. The narrative was fine, but I read it at a snail's pace. The listening experience was much more enjoyable to me. I could comprehend and enjoy listening so much more than reading. It's sensible to listen to this wonderful story, the strongest narrative not only of Lincoln, but his amazing team, and their times.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Lincoln was the master of times. His ability to respond to the crisis staggers my imagination. Steward a close second, again a man of times, and yet beyond it.Salmon P Chase was also an amazing character because he stood apart from President to the point that Lincoln let him leave.

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

Her voice is that of so many teachers I have had. She makes the narrative work with grace. No pretense as she reads a truly male story flawlessly.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Longer stories, like this put a smile on my heart. I've been moved to listen to it, twice and love it.

Any additional comments?

Have to hunker down to listen to it.

Incredible.

Incredible historical biography about an incredible man read by an incredible reader. So thoroughly researched that you almost believe you know the characters. It finishes with you wishing you did know them. Inspires you to try to live like they did.

Loved every minute of it

A must read if you're into biographies. You would gladly follow leaders like Abraham Lincoln

Very long and detailed

Great book, but I would recommend the abridged version. The amount of information is almost overwhelming. But I still enjoyed the book.

Stunning

Would you listen to Team of Rivals again? Why?

I could listen to this book over and over and never tire of the subject. It so very well written,researched, and read. Absolutely a stunning look into the time of Lincoln. I will never look at President Lincoln the same way again. This story is so important to being an American.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

The film was already made of only a part of the book. Another movie could easily be made about Lincoln's journey to becoming President. This movie would not need a tag line. Lincoln's name is strong enough to attract an audience.

How did I not know so much about one of our most revered presidents?

I owned this book for more than five years but was unable on several
occasions to become engaged successfully. As an audiobook I found it compelling and irresistible. Bravo author, Doris Kearns Goodwin and Audible.com. Thank you for the gift of this book.