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.
Media Buzz
CBS This Morning - November 15, 2012 Studio 360 - February 16, 2008 Meet the Press - October 21, 2007 Daily Show with Jon Stewart - March 21, 2007 Fresh Air - NPR - February 19, 2007 Studio 360 - February 17, 2007 NewsHour with Jim Lehrer - February 12, 2007 Colbert Report - December 13, 2006 Imus in the Morning - November 15, 2006 Imus in the Morning - October 18, 2006 Imus in the Morning - August 24, 2006 Charlie Rose - August 23, 2006 Talk of the Nation - May 29, 2006 Imus in the Morning - May 11, 2006 Imus in the Morning - March 17, 2006 Imus in the Morning - March 3, 2006 Meet the Press - January 1, 2006 Fresh Air - NPR - December 22, 2005 Conan O'Brien - December 21, 2005 Charlie Rose - December 19, 2005 Lou Dobbs Tonight - December 12, 2005 Imus in the Morning - December 7, 2005 Fresh Air - NPR - November 8, 2005 Morning Edition - November 5, 2005 Early Show - October 26, 2005 Today - October 25, 2005 Imus in the Morning - October 24, 2005 Imus in the Morning - October 21, 2005 Imus in the Morning - October 12, 2005 Imus in the Morning - October 3, 2005
© 2003-2026