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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.

Reviewer: Dan Wallace
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: The Leader For The Times
Review: This is the best biography I've read to date. My colleague J Forrest told me this is the top book on leadership. My words that follow are more a report on Lincoln the leader than a critique of Doris Kearns Goodwin the author. That said, Goodwin has written a volume with the texture of a novel, filled with scenic details and perceptive insights into the complex interrelationships among Lincoln's family, friends, cabinet and generals. The 757 pages passed with ease. This is a great book.Lincoln seems an improbable president. Born in poverty and confronted with multiple miseries, setbacks and failures, he came to reunite a divided nation. Using stealth and skill to engineer an upset Republican nomination, Lincoln persuaded the emotionally bruised rivals he bested (William Seward, Salmon Chase and Edward Bates) to take key cabinet positions after he won the election of 1860. He later placed Edwin Stanton, a man who humiliated Lincoln when he was an Illinois lawyer, into the key position of Secretary of War. These actions were misinterpreted by some Easterners as the folly of an inept Western rube, but in time the nation and his fractious cabinet came to see that Lincoln was the indispensable person.Critics point out that Lincoln made political and military mistakes and openly displayed prejudice and racism during the Lincoln-Douglas debates in the 1850s. These counts are true. Lincoln also bent the truth at times. The author clearly idealizes Lincoln and gives short shrift to his faults. At the same time, a skilled historical biographer looks at a person within the context of their times and does not judge them through the lens of the current age. Additionally, all leaders make mistakes, particularly in times of crisis.From what I read in this book, Lincoln seems to be a proto-pragmatists, the distinctive American philosophy that is well rendered in "The Metaphysical Club." Lincoln was able to balance Idealism with what could be done and what he knew at the time. As facts and conditions changed, Lincoln changed. His signature talent seemed to be an ability to learn, create and grow. His virtues were many, including: integrity, wisdom, empathy, forgiveness, friendliness, storytelling, logic and the long view.The question of why Lincoln became such a great leader is the most intriguing issue in my mind. Team of Rivals gives hints. Overcoming traumatic early life can give some people the skills to deal with great difficulties later on, and Goodwin paints a bleak early life for Lincoln. He transformed himself through books, contemplation of higher ideals, work, friendship and humor. Lincoln's time as a lawyer riding the circuit seems important as well, providing experiences that displayed a full range of human nature. Lincoln's circuit riding days also put him in daily contact with the best and brightest in Illinois, attorneys he would argue against during the day and share stories, jokes and philosophies with at night. Lincoln abstained from tobacco and alcohol, indicating self control and independence of mind. The most interesting clue to his leadership ability was Lincoln's belief, contrary to the popular opinion of the times, that there is no afterlife, and that the only way a person can live on is through great deeds that earn the respect and memory of future generations. Lincoln sought a great struggle to give meaning and purpose to his life. The Civil War provided the great act he was seeking and it also ended his life. But Lincoln's memory lives on.When I visited the Hart Senate Building in DC, a painting of Lincoln hung in then Senator Obama's reception area. History connects these two men. Team of Rivals also gives new meaning to my visits to Springfield, The Lincoln Memorial, Gettysburg, Jefferson's Monticello and the Southern White House in Richmond. The legacy of the Civil War still reverberates in American society and this book helps explain why.Team Of Rivals is instructive and inspiring. It provides insight into America, democracy, politics, military strategy and the Civil War. Most of all Team Of Rivals illuminates the amazing leadership of Abraham Lincoln.Here are some other biographical works I've enjoyed . . .The Metaphysical Club: A Story of Ideas in AmericaEdison - A BiographyBill & Dave: How Hewlett and Packard Built the World's Greatest CompanyAndrew Carnegie

Reviewer: Gene Morphis
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Add this Great Work to Your History Bookshelf
Review: The more I study American history, the more I realize how little I really know. I just completed Doris Kearns Goodwin's Team of Rivals in which she explores the inter-workings, personalities and politics of the Lincoln administration. Every American schoolboy or schoolgirl knows that Lincoln presided over the most difficult period in American history save the George Washington era. Most know that he struggled with a series of second rate generals until Grant emerged. And that he was tragically assassinated just as the War Between the States ended.But how many of us know that many of the cabinet members opposed Lincoln in the primary? That many of those thought he was unqualified for the office? That one of them - Salmon Chase - actually tried to build support to oppose Lincoln in the 1864 election? Or that Lincoln's opponent in 1864 was former General McClelland, who so famously failed to take advantage of his superior numbers early in the war. Or that the Democratic Party had a substantial "peace wing" that was prepared to negotiate an end to the war in 1864 that would not have required the freeing of slaves? Or that his first love was one Ann Rutledge, who he undoubtedly would have asked to marry, however, she died very young, sending young Lincoln into a deep lasting depression. He was in such despair that friends feared for his life.The book summarizes his early life, but really begins with Lincoln as a young lawyer in Illinois, and tracks his career, which had numerous, severe setbacks, through his very clever strategy to win the 1860 nomination, up to his assassination. My admiration at Lincoln's talents only grew as I read this work. I had no understanding of his deep political skills but Goodwin brings out his knowledge of human nature, ability to connect to people, and his careful analysis of the landscape that let him out-maneuver rivals. The book is appropriately subtitled The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln.Lincoln, with his plain appearance, lack of a formal education (he was almost entirely self-taught, quite literally reading with candlelight after long hard days of farm labor), from the humblest of situations, was consistently underestimated by the press, rivals and even foreign governments. To a certain extent he probably used that to his advantage. Widely disparaged in the press and by political opponents as "that rail splitter from Illinois" as the Presidential election unfolded, and even more in the early days of his administration, by the end of the war, "rail splitter" was a term of admiration and endearment.Of course, as the title suggests, he was also able to overlook, not just slights, but harsh, demeaning rhetoric from rivals to recruit the best possible Cabinet ministers. (As an aside, one forgets how the Cabinet has exploded in membership - his consisted only of a handful, including War, Interior, Treasury, Attorney General, State and Postmaster General. It is probably time to downsize our current Cabinet). Many were reluctant recruits, believing that they were far more qualified to be President than Lincoln. Over the next five years however, he earned their respect, trust, and confidence and to a man they came to the realization that he was one of the greatest Presidents.One of the interesting facets of Abraham Lincoln was his spirituality. He was clearly a Bible scholar. His mother provided most of his early education, in part by reading scripture. He was seen on numerous occasions, including during his Presidency, studying his Bible, and could quote scripture - including some fairly obscure passages, at will. We can assume that he believed in God, however, it isn't nearly so clear that he believed in an afterlife.To her credit, Ms. Goodwin does not speculate on what would have happened in a Lincoln second term. He made it crystal clear that he was completely opposed to a vindictive approach to the conquered South. His death put (only barely qualified) Andrew Johnson into the office. One can question whether there was anyone who could have stepped in to follow the brilliant and immensely capable Lincoln and succeeded, but it certainly was not Johnson. Lincoln's death was a tragedy for the country, quite possibly for two generations, as the incredibly corrupt Reconstruction, rise of segregation and the Ku Klux Klan ensued.When I read this kind of wide-ranging history, with references to hundreds of diary entries, letters, speeches, etc. I marvel at the time it must take to write such a work. Ms. Goodwin, in her notes, mentions 10 years of research. But she is not just a great researcher, she is a great story teller. This could have been dry and dull but it is the opposite - great history and a great read.Highly recommended.

Reviewer: patricia lewis
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: A well written, enticing and thought provoking work. Unlike most historical biographies that can be dry and heavy Team of Rivals is easy to read and draws the reader into the world of Abraham Lincoln and the historical people around him. A must read!

Reviewer: Gustavo Meurer
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Totalmente encantando com o livro, fruto de 10 anos de pesquisa da historiadora escritora, Dóris Goodwin. Quem se interessa por história americana tem que ler. Apesar de longo achei super bem fácil de ler, fluiu mto fácil do começo ao fim. Simplesmente fantástico !!!

Reviewer: MIHIR K MOITRA
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: THE AUTHOR HAS COME OUT WITH AN EMINENTLY READABLE ACCOUNT OF SOCIAL, POLITICAL , ECONOMIC AND CIVIL WAR YEARS IN THE USA. IT REQUIRES EFFORT, CONTROL OVER FACTS( DOWN TO THE MINUTEST DETAILS) AND ABOVE ALL TOTAL COMMITMENT TO WRITE SUCH A CLOSE KNIT, TENSION FILLED ACCOUT OF THAT VITAL PERIOD.ABOVE ALL BRINGS OUT THE PAINS AND PERSONALITY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN AS THE PEOPLE'S PRESIDENT.

Reviewer: John M. Cruickshank Owen
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Everyone knows Lincoln was one of the USA most important presidents because he presided over the civil war and then the abolition of slavery, but how many know the story of Lincoln the man and truly what a brilliant political strategist he was, and exceptional human being. This book follows his life in great detail, sometimes a bit too much detail about the Washington social scene, but overall is powerful, fascinating and inspiring. What a man! I found myself crying copiously at the thought of what the world lost when he was shot.

Reviewer: Robert PGF
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: El contenido del libro es inmejorable; por ello le puse cinco estrellas, Si viste la pelicula de Lincoln con Daniel Day Lewis el libro te brindará un panorama mucho más completo de la circunstancia política en que se desarrolló Abraham Lincoln. Sin embargo lo que en esta ocasión dejó mucho, pero mucho que desear fue el deficiente embalaje del producto, derivado del cual llegó dañado.