Team of Rivals

The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln

De: Doris Kearns Goodwin

Narrado por: Suzanne Toren

Duración: 41 h y 32 m

Resumen del Editor

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

Reseñas de la Crítica

"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)

Team of rivals

This was a really well done and sequenced book about the life of Lincoln and his political rivals and cabinet. Wood definitely recommended to a friends that are into US history.

In-depth analysis of Lincoln

Excellent book. This is the 3rd Lincoln biography I’ve read and I picked up many new details that I hadn’t read before. The author intertwines the narrative with intimate details of Lincoln’s relationships with his family, his cabinet and his generals. We see Lincoln the self-educated humanitarian, the skillful politician and communicator in both his personal and public life. Well researched. Well written. A pleasure to read for anyone who loves biography, presidential history or books on leadership.

Excellent & engrossing book-5 bright stars!

This thorough, beautifully written snapshot of history gave me a new perspective on Lincoln, his cabinet, character & genius.

Lincoln

A beautiful book that every American should read. Well written and well read. If only we had Lincoln now.

Excellent book

The history, the characters of the figures in the book, and the way it was written that makes reading/ listening easy.

Malice towards none, charity towards all, still holds up to this day...and could be of good use today as well

A story of an incredible President, unsurpassed in his compassion as a leader and his ability to bring together brilliant people despite their differences.

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.

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.