“In order to ‘win a man to your cause,’ Lincoln explained, you must first reach his heart, ‘the great high road to his reason.’”—Doris Kearns Goodwin, Team of Rivals
This is one of my all time favorite books. Don’t let the thickness of this book intimidate you. Doris Kearns Goodwin has written an extremely compelling and readable history of Lincoln’s life before politics, his election, time in office, and assassination.
Lincoln was a unique president in many ways, but one thing that sets him apart was bringing men into his cabinet who ran against him for president and were opposed to him. They were talented and intelligent men but they had their own ideas and agendas. It was a process for them to learn to work together and with Lincoln. At times it was messy and counterproductive but over time Lincoln won their respect and loyalty.
Doris Kearns Goodwin is a gifted writer. She excels at helping the reader form an emotional connection with the individuals she writes about. This book is no exception. Despite being well aware of Lincoln’s assassination, I wept when Lincoln was shot and died. That is how emotionally connected I was to Lincoln by the end of the book.
In a day of increasing political divide, this book is an important reminder that rivals can work together for the greater good.
Content Advisory: Death