Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin Summary
Overview of Team of Rivals
Lincoln's genius wasn't just winning the Civil War - it was assembling his fiercest rivals into history's most consequential cabinet. This presidential masterclass in leadership so impressed Obama he modeled his own administration after it, later inspiring Spielberg's Oscar-winning film.
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The Rise of the Rivals
On May 18, 1860, four men waited anxiously in their hometowns for the results of the Republican National Convention in Chicago. These were no ordinary men; they were William H. Seward, Salmon P. Chase, Edward Bates, and Abraham Lincoln, each of whom had energetically sought the presidency as the conflict over slavery was leading inexorably to secession and civil war. William H. Seward, the New York senator and former governor, was widely considered the frontrunner. His long alliance with New York political boss Thurlow Weed had cemented his position as a leading figure in the Republican Party. Salmon P. Chase, the Ohio governor, was a favorite of the party's more radical wing due to his early advocacy of the abolition of slavery. Edward Bates, the former Missouri Attorney General, was preferred by more conservative elements of the party, having gained national attention with a speech opposing President James K. Polk at the 1847 River and Harbor Convention. And then there was Abraham Lincoln, a former U.S. Representative from Illinois, who had risen to national prominence through a series of debates with Democratic rival Stephen A. Douglas in the 1858 Illinois Senate election. When Lincoln emerged as the victor, his rivals were dismayed and angry. Yet, it was Lincoln's unique character, forged by experiences that raised him above his more privileged and accomplished rivals, that ultimately led to his success. He possessed an extraordinary ability to put himself in the place of other men, to experience what they were feeling, and to understand their motives and desires. This capacity would prove crucial in the tumultuous years ahead.
The Unlikely Cabinet
The Turbulent Presidency
Personal Struggles and Triumphs
The Final Days and Legacy
Conclusion: A Master Among Men
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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