Team of Rivals

The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln

By: Doris Kearns Goodwin

Narrated by: Suzanne Toren

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.

©2006 Doris Kearns Goodwin (P)2011 Simon & Schuster

Critic reviews

"An elegant, incisive study....Goodwin has brilliantly described how Lincoln forged a team that preserved a nation and freed America from the curse of slavery." (James M. McPherson, The New York Times Book Review)

"Goodwin's narrative abilities...are on full display here, and she does an enthralling job of dramatizing...crucial moments in Lincoln's life....A portrait of Lincoln as a virtuosic politician and managerial genius." (Michiko Kakutani, The New York Times)

"Splendid, beautifully written....Goodwin has brilliantly woven scores of contemporary accounts...into a fluid narrative....This is the most richly detailed account of the Civil War presidency to appear in many years." (John Rhodehamel, Los Angeles Times)

Beautifully written, narration inadequate

This is a great book, beautifully researched and written. I wish, however, that I had bought the hard copy. The narrator's style was cold and uninvolving, although at the beginning I was hoping to get used to it. After 40 hours, unfortunately, I did not; she lacked all passion for her subject. Doris Kearns Goodwin would have been a much better choice as reader. It didn't matter to me that Toren was a woman, and she has a beautiful speaking voice. This brilliant book deserved better.

America's greatest American, for sure.

What made the experience of listening to Team of Rivals the most enjoyable?

What a marvelous endeavor by Doris Kearns Goodwin. The research, the dialogue and history make it seem like it is happening in the present time. Makes you wish that we had individuals like Lincoln in these days of challenge.

Who was your favorite character and why?

of course, Abraham Lincoln. It is all about him.

What about Suzanne Toren’s performance did you like?

at first I thought she sounded like a grammar school principal. But her rich delivery and strong commitment to the story over the more than 41 hours made me a believer in her dedication and excellence.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

too many to choose one.

Very good history

Great read, this book is very good non-fiction. The narrator does a pretty good job, but the regular mispronunciations of words like "schism," "consummate," and others I found to be annoying, especially in a scholarly work. Otherwise the narrator does a good job, and the detailed biographies of Lincon's cabinet and the political context and history detailed leading up to the Civil War make the book very interesting and exciting.

Deserving of its prize

This book was so well researched, the topic so thoroughly covered, and the style so engaging that I couldn't imagine reading a book about Lincoln and his tenure being more vivid and it's helpful for me to understand who he was in the world he lived in.

A Great piece of US history

Team of Rivals really captures what made President Lincoln one of the greatest figures of US history. It was a long listen but I think it needed to be to really dig into everything that made this period of history so important.
The reading was very well done and the narrator read as she had been there to witness the events herself. It was en anjoyable read for anyone who is into history.

Extraordinary history eloquently told

Events unfold in both logical and intriguing manner. One grasps the historic Impact on our country even today. Thoroughly engaging such that the length is of no concern. The listener is drawn into the story through all the twists and turns and it doesn’t detract that we know how the Lincoln presidency ended. Inspired me as a leader.

Most comprehensive summary of Lincoln

This book selves into the little details of Abraham Lincoln and his team of rivals like no other book. The research done by the author was insurmountable. The author provided a perspective that made you feel like you knew personally the president, his family, and his friends.

Fantastic amount of details

This book blew me away with the fantastic amount of details of Lincoln, his cabinet members, and the period of time they lived. i highly recommend it.

amazing!

not the best reader, but the book is well written and very interesting. I feel like I got to know all of these great men described throughout the book.

Fascinating Journey

This is a wonderful story that is beautifully written. Goodwin makes the characters come alive and the performance is wonderful.