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)

Definitive History

I doubt if there is another source that will provide the same level of insight into the man, his character, and the people who surrounded him. Goodwin's writing style is continually captivating. The narrator is excellent - few are.

Lincoln's decisions

I thought the best thing about this book is how it explained Lincoln's decision-making process. A wonderful read.

Some other reviews do not give high marks to the narrator. I found the narration to be extremely neutral, in a good way. The content was center stage, and the narration did not draw attention.

Excellent study of Lincoln and the Civil War.

This was a very unique and interesting way to approach the life and times of President Lincoln. Telling the story of this great man, along with the history of the Civil War, through the eyes and actions of Lincoln and his "rivals" was very interesting. Great writing by Doris Kearns Goodwin. I loved this book and the performance of Suzanne Toren who narrated it.

Historical Context

Not the easiest read, but Doris does us a service by setting the stage for a historical drama that changed the world. Lincoln defined all of the fundamentals of change management and the power of the appreciation of diversity that we struggle with even today.

A Book of Two Parts

Part 1 of this book is arduous in that it spends a significant amount of time covering the different family dynamics of Seward, Chase, Lincoln, and Bates prior to the 1860 election. Part 2 is much more focused covering the dynamics of the Lincoln administration during the Civil War.

Following Lincoln’s death, the author sprints to the finish with a short epilogue covering the cabinets futures post-Lincoln. Quite different than the beginning of the book where these peoples lives were described in such detail.

great story, a must for those who like history

this is a great book. the author did an outstanding job with the research and writing. I found myself very interested from being to end. I have no complaints about this book.

Lincoln’s Contributions to our nations development.

Excellent story I will never forget. As a foreign born US Citizen the details of Mr. Lincoln’s Life, his “Team of Rivals” provided great insight into the Civil War our nations history.

Pulitzer Prize or not, it's bogged down in minutia

As another reviewer asked: "How many times do I have to be told that Kate Chase is beautiful?" There are far too many little details of the Rival's lives, like that, which bogs down the story. Although I also found the narrator's voice somewhat irritating and slow, I think some of the antagonism expressed towards her should be aimed at Goodwin instead. Also, you can set the speed of the audio to 1.1 times faster, which does help with the slowness of the narration.

Portrait of the greatest leader in history

The older I get, the more amazing it is that a man like Lincoln ever rose to power. His radical decency and compassion for his fellow human being would get him laughed out of today's Republican party. While the story and performance here are top-notch, the civically minded listener may sink into a depression if they try to identify a single modern politician worthy of washing Lincoln's socks. The country may be doomed, but it didn't have to be.

Worth the read and listen.

A good read in moments of free time, a great audio Narration by Suzanne Toren while I traveled to, and from work each day. I highly recommend this book to historians and non-historians alike. This book gave a very detailed accounts of President Abraham Lincoln life before and during his time while in office. It also detail accounts and personalities of those around him. Plus this book cover view points at this time of the very many subjects affecting and interesting people at this time such as the rights of the blacks and their future in this country. Simply very well done from beginning to end.