Acclaimed 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.
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A Book for our Times
Read this book if you know anything at all about Abraham Lincoln, or very little! The author has crafted a rich, detailed perspective of a man for all seasons, an American for all times. Our country longs for the depth and breath of his wisdom as much now as during the slice of history in which he lived. Truly, this is nonfiction at its finest! - Barbara Victoria
[Tuesday, January 06, 2009]
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one of my favorites
Over the past several years, I've been trying to catch up on some of the American history that I should have learned as a youngster. However, in grade-school, these stories never seemed to come to life in the same way that they do while reading them today.
Several reviewers have commented that this book glosses over some of the hard edges and deep divides among Lincoln's team, and that may be true. However, that did not detract from this book for me. I wasn't looking for a deep analysis so-much as I was hoping to just gain a little insight into Lincoln as a man and as president; as I turned the last page of this book, I felt that I had learned a great deal more than I had anticipated, and enjoyed it all the while.
I have to admit to that these old eyes were a little bit more than "misty" while trying to read the closing pages of this book, and the abrupt ending really had me wondering how this story might have ended were not the main character stolen from us so early.
[Tuesday, January 06, 2009]
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A leader for All the Ages
Lincoln is probably the most significant figure in American History not because of his political acumen though it is legend and not because he was a great general though he led us through our greatest historical trial - the Civil War. His greatness lies in the fact that he was big enough to see the American experiment for what is was - an experiment for the whole world and small enough to be able to communicate complex thought in language the average man could understand. Through these characteristics he engendered trust and admiration and yes - even loyalty not only from his supporters from his skeptics and enemies as well. If we are limited to a word to describe this historical giant it must be - Magnanimity. He was truly a leader for all the ages.
Ms Goodwin weaves what could have been a dry recounting of the facts of history into an incredible page turning tapestry revealing the chemistry of the events and historical opportunities of the day as they were catalyzed by personalities of Lincoln and his cabinet, the Team of Rivals.
Whatever you think about Mr Obama, he is our President elect and this book has influenced his political trajectory. He has asked for the Lincoln Bible to be the Bible used when he takes the oath of office. To know his mind this is required reading.
[Monday, January 05, 2009]
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