Team of Rivals

The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln

One of the most influential books of the past fifty years, Team of Rivals is Pulitzer Prize–winning author and esteemed presidential historian Doris Kearns Goodwin’s modern classic about the political genius of Abraham Lincoln, his unlikely presidency, and his cabinet of former political foes.

Winner of the prestigious Lincoln Prize and the inspiration for the Oscar Award winning–film Lincoln, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, directed by Steven Spielberg, and written by Tony Kushner.

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.

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.