Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin

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. Goodwin demonstrates that Lincoln's political ability was the result of a character that had been forged by experiences that raised him above his more privileged and accomplished rivals. 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.

I'd never have read this if not for The Big Read. I am truly grateful. What a magnificent book.

Abraham Lincoln was already at the top of my admired people list. However, I found a lot in this book that gave me a fuller picture of the man himself. Some things were just interesting such as his very strong passions for women so that he could hardly keep his hands off of them. (My goodness!) And his strong passion for Mary Todd. She's been portrayed (justly) as crazy so consistently that most Americans have a distaste for her. However, she and Abe were crazy for each other, even when she was just plain crazy.

Most of what I learned, however, was simply admirable. He was a shrewd judge of character and dealt magnanimously with even his enemies, which often resulted in their becoming his loyal supporters. He was also a shrewd judge of how and when to push measures to achieve his political goals. This applied both to his personal career and to the laws governing the country. I was impressed by how he would often wait to propose measures until the nation's emotional state had been brought along in understanding so that it would be supported.

In many ways this book inspired me personally because of all the warm, personal examples of Lincoln's forgiving nature.

The author was excellent at unfolding the progress of political measures and the people involved so that I really understood everything going on. Considering how much of the book consisted of that sort of thing, it is a real accomplishment. Plus I was riveted, often not waiting for the next week's "assigned reading" but charging ahead. I can't think of another book of this sort where that has happened.

Highly, highly recommended.