The Obligatory
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Saturday, December 02, 2006
Team of Rivals
Last night, I finished reading Doris Keane Goodwin's Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln.
I admit, my knowledge of Lincoln didn't venture much further than the handful of facts and legends anyone who went through the American school system picked up along the way. I wanted to delve a little deeper into the mythical Great Emancipator's life, and when I discovered a book that was a biography of not just him, but of his Cabinet, I jumped at the chance to pick it up.
While it doesn't necessarily delve too far into Lincoln's early years and upbringing, it is an utterly fascinating investigation into Lincoln's shrewd political skills - something you really don't hear about too often.
Lincoln is, himself, a fascinating and contradictory man. But his Cabinet is even more interesting. Comprised almost entirely of people Lincoln had fought with for the Republican Nomination, on the surface it looked like the Cabinet would not only work against Lincoln, but also against itself - the Cabinet was completely balanced between Northerners, Westerners and 'Border Statesman', and Radical Republicans, Conservative Republicans, and Democrats. It even had a few Cabinet members with intense personal rivalries with each other, and one who was covertly campaigning against Lincoln before his re-nomination by the Republicans.
Very similar to the atmosphere portrayed in the also-excellent Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation,
Lincoln knew he needed a variety of viewpoints and positions from the most able men in their field, regardless of their personal or political problems. The way he was able to corral and direct such a contentious group without ever making anyone feel slighted is brilliant. I've always thought creativity and brilliance often come out of in-group rivalries and competitions, and Lincoln's Cabinet shows you get much more from a multifaceted view than you do from a single, unified one.
Beyond an investigation into Lincoln's management style, the book also really brings to life the entire political universe at the time. We get great looks at the founders of the Republican Party, the opposition Confederate leaders, generals from the front line, leading abolitionists, and the members of the Cabinet themselves - who each have their own engrossing biographies. I know I'm already looking for more in-depth biographies for several of the Secretaries and Generals, which should be a good measure of how interesting Goodwin makes these figures in her book.
Of course, you know how it's all going to end, but it doesn't make the book's conclusion any less heart-rending. As you truly get to see how much his Cabinet revered him, and what a sympathetic figure Lincoln was, this book's account of the assassination is truly one of the saddest passages I've read.
If you're looking for a good holiday gift for that history / politics / Lincoln buff, this is a great choice. Very highly recommended.
I admit, my knowledge of Lincoln didn't venture much further than the handful of facts and legends anyone who went through the American school system picked up along the way. I wanted to delve a little deeper into the mythical Great Emancipator's life, and when I discovered a book that was a biography of not just him, but of his Cabinet, I jumped at the chance to pick it up.
While it doesn't necessarily delve too far into Lincoln's early years and upbringing, it is an utterly fascinating investigation into Lincoln's shrewd political skills - something you really don't hear about too often.
Lincoln is, himself, a fascinating and contradictory man. But his Cabinet is even more interesting. Comprised almost entirely of people Lincoln had fought with for the Republican Nomination, on the surface it looked like the Cabinet would not only work against Lincoln, but also against itself - the Cabinet was completely balanced between Northerners, Westerners and 'Border Statesman', and Radical Republicans, Conservative Republicans, and Democrats. It even had a few Cabinet members with intense personal rivalries with each other, and one who was covertly campaigning against Lincoln before his re-nomination by the Republicans.
Very similar to the atmosphere portrayed in the also-excellent Founding Brothers: The Revolutionary Generation,
Lincoln knew he needed a variety of viewpoints and positions from the most able men in their field, regardless of their personal or political problems. The way he was able to corral and direct such a contentious group without ever making anyone feel slighted is brilliant. I've always thought creativity and brilliance often come out of in-group rivalries and competitions, and Lincoln's Cabinet shows you get much more from a multifaceted view than you do from a single, unified one.Beyond an investigation into Lincoln's management style, the book also really brings to life the entire political universe at the time. We get great looks at the founders of the Republican Party, the opposition Confederate leaders, generals from the front line, leading abolitionists, and the members of the Cabinet themselves - who each have their own engrossing biographies. I know I'm already looking for more in-depth biographies for several of the Secretaries and Generals, which should be a good measure of how interesting Goodwin makes these figures in her book.
Of course, you know how it's all going to end, but it doesn't make the book's conclusion any less heart-rending. As you truly get to see how much his Cabinet revered him, and what a sympathetic figure Lincoln was, this book's account of the assassination is truly one of the saddest passages I've read.
If you're looking for a good holiday gift for that history / politics / Lincoln buff, this is a great choice. Very highly recommended.
that one guy you know, 4:42 PM
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1 Comments:
I bought that for my fiance last year for Christmas, and it's still in our library. Perhaps this year I'll tell him to get off his ass and read the thing :)
