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)

Insight into presidential decision making

Doris Kearns Goodwin shows a magnificant analysis of how Abraham Lincoln worked with his cabinet to get us from a point of disunion to a point of "with malice towards none and charity for all." By choosing his rivals from within his own political party (Republican - Chase, Seward, and Bates) to choosing a rival from the other political party (Democrats - Stanton), Lincoln was able to inspire loyalty and a sense of purpose in others in spite of some very strong differences early on. Barack Obama has read this book and guided him in choosing a Republican (Gates rhymes with Bates) and his strongest intra party rival (Hillary) to serve on his cabinet.

Family concerns were also presented by Goodwin so we saw a well rounded view of what many historians have called "our greatest president."

You will enjoy the machinations of Lincoln as he staved off resignations by cabinet members until he finally accepted one for good cause.

Team of Rivals

Certainly one of the best historocal books I have heard in a long while.

This is a prize winning piece of work.

Surprises around every turn

Dry History? Not at all! Does it sound positive to say this reads like a soap opera? Probably not. Well then, a political thriller. What president would think to bring his arch rivals onto the cabinet as his closest advisors? A naive political novice, as some believed, or one of the greatest political minds the country has ever experienced? The team of men Lincoln gathered around him at the beginning of his first presidential term were political and philosophical rivals in every sense of the word, and they interacted with eachother as only rivals can. Scheming, plotting, backbiting, sometimes arguing both behind the scenes and in public, yet they were forged into a team at a pivotal time in U.S. history by Lincoln's stunning leadership. Some favored compromises, others were hard-liners, some were ambivalent about abolishing slavery, or even against doing so. The focus of the book is on relationships rather than on events, although the course of the war is also documented as Kearns' careful research unfolds. Through quoting letters and journal entries rather than proving a lot of her own commentary, Kearns provides a fresh look at the Lincoln presidency and the politics of the 1860's. I listened to this book in the car and could barely stand to stop the car. You don't have to be a history lover to love this book. It reads like a novel.

How to treat political rivals and get work done

If you could sum up Team of Rivals in three words, what would they be?

Eye-opening. Remarkeable. Entertaining.

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

The tale of the desintegrating relationship of Lincoln with Salmon P. Chase and what resulted from it for both men.

Have you listened to any of Richard Thomas’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, I haven't

Any additional comments?

Some parts of Team of Rivals cover ground that has been extensively written about. For instance, in different chapters, there is a rundown of the Civil war, as a reference of the time the events took place in.

It is possible to learn more about Lincoln

Despite the multitude of books written about Lincoln, it is amazing that we can still learn more about the great man. This is an interesting perspective -- a good insight into how he thought politically about the people around him.

Richard Thomas does a very good job narrating. Move on over to the Manhunt audiobook for the same narrator to continue the story.

Lincoln Fans

A highly recommended book for anyone who is a fan of Lincoln, the Civil War, or American History.

Love me some Lincoln!

What did you love best about Team of Rivals?

Just learning about the political Lincoln and how he changed even adversaries opinions. This book gives one a deeper understanding of why Lincoln stands out amoung men and our presidents. In the USA, we learn about Lincoln as one of the greats, but it is always boiled down to the Lincoln legacy, rising from a log cabin, rail splitter, humorous, American's moral compass. This book brings to life the obstacles,and the brillance of Lincoln navigating the treacherous political waters. We are provided with such insight into those men and women around him, feeling the relationships - some growing with such respect, and others losing faith. Team of Rivals is a must read for any American history lover (any citizen?). There is so much here to admire. And, now I am scrounging for other books on subjects such as Grand, McClellan, Seward and Stanton.

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

The first was the convention and his manuevering to win the nomination. Fascinating how he out played some respectable and more experienced players. Second,McClellan role and crucial missteps early in the war. Third, the evolution of thought on emancipation - I never realized Lincoln considered colonization for African Americans.

What about Richard Thomas’s performance did you like?

Liked that it was a known voice, very balanced, very easy to listen too. I prefer a reader that does not try to over dramatize the voices of the characters. Truely a pleasure.

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

Yes - I was so happy I had a long drive and was able to get through it in one weekend!

Any additional comments?

Must read!!!

very disappointed this was abridged!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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

no, I read the book... hated that it was abridged!

What did you like best about this story?

great portrait of Lincoln & all that was going on around him

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

they did make a movie and it was great

Any additional comments?

I would not have bought this if I had known it was abridged!

Amazing book!

This was a wonderful book to read. It was an enlightening look at President Lincoln, informative and captivating.

Should be required reading

This story gives insight into Abraham Lincoln Lincoln none other that I've read. it should be required reading for management and political science majors!