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Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln

Doris Kearns Goodwin

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Founder connections

  • Jim SimonsRead / discussed leadership
    In his original Brian Keating interview Simons identifies this as a Lincoln book he read and discusses Lincoln recruiting former rivals because they were the strongest people available. The edition is unknown.
    Source

Summary

Doris Kearns Goodwin examines Abraham Lincoln’s presidency through the men who competed with him and then joined his cabinet. The history follows how he worked with strong personalities and opposing political groups during the Civil War. It places his leadership within the struggles over slavery, military victory and the difficult task of bringing former rivals into a working government.

  • SourceTeam of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln — Simon & Schuster · Book description and author/title metadata

Why read it Our view

Study how a leader recruits capable former rivals, handles competing motives and makes a strong team work together. Goodwin follows Lincoln’s cabinet appointments and conflicts in detail; Simons singled out the decision to choose the best people despite earlier rivalry.