Doris Kearns Goodwin
Paperback | Pages: 916 pages Rating: 4.28 | 142023 Users | 6829 Reviews
Particularize Books Toward Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
| ISBN: | 0743270754 (ISBN13: 9780743270755) |
| Edition Language: | English |
| Characters: | Abraham Lincoln, William H. Seward, Edwin McMasters Stanton, Salmon P. Chase, Edward Bates |
| Setting: | Springfield, Illinois,1860(United States) Chicago, Illinois,1860(United States) Illinois,1860(United States) |
| Literary Awards: | Benjamin Barondess Award (2006), Lincoln Prize (2006), National Book Critics Circle Award Nominee for Biography (2005), New-York Historical Society American History Book Prize |
Narration In Pursuance Of Books Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
Winner of the Lincoln PrizeAcclaimed 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.
Itemize Based On Books Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
| Title | : | Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln |
| Author | : | Doris Kearns Goodwin |
| Book Format | : | Paperback |
| Book Edition | : | Special Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 916 pages |
| Published | : | September 26th 2006 by Simon & Schuster (first published October 25th 2005) |
| Categories | : | History. Nonfiction. Biography. Politics. North American Hi.... American History. Military History. Civil War. Presidents |
Rating Based On Books Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
Ratings: 4.28 From 142023 Users | 6829 ReviewsJudge Based On Books Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln
I loved this book. Although it was a beast of a book, and could probably have been a lot shorter. I had not read a Lincoln biography before, so was firstly blown away by how he rose up from nothing, self-taught himself a college degree, and then somehow rode the middle line and got himself elected President. Nobody seemed to have expected that, nor expected much from him, and he continued to surprise them all.I am always curious about the motivations of successful people. In Lincolns case, heAlthough there are two books squeezed between the covers this remains readable.The first book is an account of the competition for the Republican candidacy and the beginning of the Lincoln administration. Here is a slightly different story about the developing USA, the changing, growing country and the kinds of political careers and ambitions available to men in it. There is a very serious heavyweight argument I felt lurking in the prose that never comes to the forefront and possible never
In 1860, the fledgling Republican Party nominated its second candidate for the Presidency of the United States. Four men competed for the honor: William Seward, a U.S. Senator, former governor of New York and one of the most honored and experienced politicians of his day; Edward Bates, a former congressman from Missouri; Salmon P. Chase, a former U.S. Senator and former governor of Ohio who had played a significant role in founding the party; and Abraham Lincoln, until very recently a
A True Leader and Genius of High Moral CharacterIf I were to try to read, much less answer, all the attacks made on me, this shop might as well be closed for other business.... If the end brings me out all right, what's said against me won't amount to anything. If the end brings me out wrong, ten angels swearing I was right would make no difference. Pres. Abraham Lincoln, quoted in F. B. Carpenter, The Inner Life of Abraham Lincoln: Six Months at the White House (1869).Truly, I didn't start out
(I thought it would make sense to start this while I'm still reading Gone With the Wind.)This isn't a straight-up biography of Lincoln. And it's certainly not a history of the Civil War. Instead it's a portrait of Lincoln, defined by the diverse men he surrounded himself with on his Cabinet. In particular, Goodwin focuses on the 4 major contenders in the Republican national convention: Lincoln, Seward, Chase and Bates. The better part of the book takes place leading up to Lincoln's 1860 election
Reading this book (or listening on Audible in my case) is a labor of love - it is detailed, intricate and long. But wow, is it incredible. The way DKG weaves together the stories of a ll Lincoln's cabinet members personally and politically and explains their respective roles in American history is astounding. I've never learned so much American history from a single book and enjoyed it along the way. I have also never respected Abraham Lincoln as much as I do after reading this. He truly was an
As usual, I seem to be pushing against the river. All the reviews on this tome are positively stellar -- to the 5th degree. My poor offering is a meagre 3.Goodwin is an exceptional historian. Research should have been her middle name. But -- and it's quite a big one -- The book would have been vastly improved if a good editor had taken charge.This book reads like ... you asked someone for a recipe on how to bake a cake, and she starts by telling you how to grow wheat; then walks you through
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