Team of Rivals: Examining the Political Acumen of Abraham Lincoln

Steve Paul: Here on family vacation in Florida, and just finished this extraordinary 750-page read. Exhaustively researched, first-rate storytelling, and engaging writing style about a political leader who changed history, and prosecuted a war to restore the union and end slavery. The story is about Lincoln’s political rise from humble beginning to twice-elected presidency (16th). I came away in awe of Lincoln’s skill in leading Congress/Senators/governors (herding cats), his carefully selected cabinet despite being political opponents, earning loyalty and even devotion from opponents, finding and replacing military leaders in time of war, judicious use of power, and a sixth sense gauging public opinion.

A central question was why Lincoln had chosen a cabinet comprised of enemies and opponents, including his selection of his three chief rivals for the Republican nomination, each of whom were openly bitter and resentful about losing to Lincoln. Lincoln's answer was simple and straightforward. "We needed the strongest men of the party in the Cabinet. We needed to hold our own people together. I had looked the party over and concluded that these were the very strongest men. Then I had...

United States on Nov 24, 2023

MIHIR K MOITRA: 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.

India on Aug 30, 2023

Peter: A very good account of how Lincoln managed his Civil War cabinet filled with egos, political rivals, and completely polar opposites on the war effort. A very personal and political account of a master strategist for the ages. Truly engrossing reading. A book you cannot put down.

Canada on May 27, 2023

Gustavo Meurer: 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 !!!

Brazil on Jan 16, 2023

John M. Cruickshank Owen: 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.

Spain on Feb 06, 2021

Robert PGF: 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.

Mexico on Dec 29, 2017

O. Halabieh: Below are key excerpts from the book that I found particularly insightful:

1- "This, then, is a story of Lincoln's political genius revealed through his extraordinary array of personal qualities that enabled him to form friendships with men who had previously opposed him; to repair injured feelings that, left untended, might have escalated into permanent hostility; to assume responsibility for the failures of subordinates; to share credit with ease; and to learn from mistakes. He possessed an acute understanding of the sources of power inherent in the presidency, an unparalleled ability to keep his governing coalition intact, a tough-minded appreciation of the need to protect his presidential prerogatives, and a masterful sense of timing. His success in dealing with the strong egos of the men in his cabinet suggests that in the hands of a truly great politician the qualities we generally associate with we generally associate with decency and morality—kindness, sensitivity, compassion, honesty, and empathy—can also be impressive political resources...To be sure, he had a melancholy temperament, most likely imprinted on him from birth. But melancholy differs from...

United States on Mar 01, 2014