Team of Rivals

Doris Kearns Goodwin

This is an incredibly long book, filled with so much research and intimate stories, that it transported me to America in the 1800's. Abraham Lincoln, New York senator William H. Seward, Ohio governor Salmon P. Chase, and Missouri's distinguished elder statesman Edward Bates all ran for president in 1860. The book covers the story of these four men during the American civil war. Things that stick out at the moment, talk of slavery and the horrific scenes as you crossed the border into the south causing bates and his family to turn around and go home.

Abraham Lincoln seemed to be very melancholy in stages of his life, even suicidal at times after his engagement was broken off, his political plans for senate thrown off and his friends all leaving town. He worried about the impact he would have on history. Lincoln's mother died when he was young, luckily he had a loving step mother come in. Lincoln was great at telling stories and an amazing grass roots politician. Seward legally represented a slave that killed a family, the whole town was unhappy that he did it but he did it as he was still a man that deserved a fair trial. America is the country founded on the ideals that the people can govern themselves. Lincoln once gave up a 47 - 5 lead in senate votes, just to make sure an pro abolishment candidate got in. Wow. That lead he gave up came back to help him win the nomination though, he truly was one of the great polticers of the age. Winning the nomination by being everyone's second choice as everyone disliked the leaders, clever.

Always amazes me that the White House is still standing today, reading stories of the Lincoln family running around the WH, wrestling Lincoln between cabinet meetings etc.

I've been to Independence Hall in Philly and whilst AL was on the way from Illinois he called by IH to meet future cabinet members.