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The author, Doris Kerns Goodwin knows her stuff, well resarched book, a great historical story. The best book of 2021 that I really enjoyed! Love it!
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Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin (2006) In 1860, in Chicago, Illinois, the Republican Party made a historic choice when it selected Abraham Lincoln to be its candidate for the presidency. The choice stunned each of Lincoln's three rival candidates--William Henry Seward of New York; Salmon P. Chase of Ohio; and Edward Bates of Missouri--all of whom were better known nationally and better connected politically--and each of whom thought he himself would win. Even more surprising, but indicative of his character, is that Lincoln asked these three rivals to join his cabinet, which they did--and they made it work. In a rich historical narrative, Doris Kearns Goodwin brings to life each of these figures, showing their significant individual contributions as well as how they challenged the president and sometimes stung him. What comes across is a deep psychological portrait of Lincoln as a great conciliator and man of vision, always putting the greater good before expediency. And while much has been made of Lincoln's melancholy, it is also true that he was good in company, a born storyteller and jokester. Lincoln is perhaps the most written-about president in history, but in this group biography, Goodwin manages to find some new perspectives on Lincoln and his times. A New York Times Notable Book for the year 2005.Read full review
Goodwin's Lincoln biography, Team of Rivals, shows the power of synergy. They synthesis of diverse viewpoints always results in higher thinking and better results than unilateral thinking. Having taught Covey's "Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" for many years in several organizations, I know this is true. Plus, Obama has obviously been influenced by Lincoln's approach to building his cabinet and I wanted to read the book I know had inspired our president elect, a man I most admire! Finally, my daughter who was an American Studies major in college, now an attorney, highly recommended it as a masterpiece of biographical writing -- it reads like a novel, telling many interwoven stories of statesmen and others during the critical time of American history.
"Team of Rivals" is a page-turner. It is a parallel biography of Abraham Lincoln's evolution as a politician and of the men he selected to his cabinet in his first term. As a management study, it provides the reader with an example of executive excellence under stress. It is a study in the ethical use of politics for the good of an organization. Finally, it clearly shows the brilliance of our 14th president in a clear, cohesive, chronological manner. Although it reads like a dramatic novel, this book is among the top level of 'Lincolnography'. It's current relevance as a "how-to" manual for the Obama administration makes it a 'must read' for the serious political observer as well as studens of Lincoln.
This book is about President Lincoln`s political rivals who went on to be his Civil War era cabinet. All of these men worked-well during Lincoln`s tenure except Secretary of State Cameron. I believe author Doris Kearns Goodwin did a excellent job with is 800-plus page book. There are some pictures that accompany this book.
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